| For what it's worth, someone claimed to have figured out a way to measure the nacre thickness of cultured pearls without an x-ray (apparently, it was inspired by candling) in a patent that issued almost 15 years ago. I don't know what happened after that, and a quick look around didn't turn up any devices based on it.
As far as I know, the most reliable way is x-ray. The above inventor said one could measure nacre thickness by looking down the drill hole (if any) with certain equipment, but since the labs use x-ray I'm guessing it's either easier, more accurate, or both.
IowaCamper, if a seller says the nacre thickness is 1 mm (I assume you mean each side), they should be able to prove it. As Valeria101 noted, the most reliable way appears to be x-ray (by a reputable lab).
Jeremy, if you are following this thread, do the Hanadama certs list nacre thickness measurements above .6 mm? Or is .6 mm the highest, meaning "at least .6 mm," with no more specific measurements given?
Perle |