Are these pearls real or fake?

[barb6702]

Got these pearls and 2 other pearl necklaces from an estate sale. Are they real or just costume jewelry?

 

[pattye]

Welcome, Barb,

Looks like the shape of the pearls is slightly off round and vary a little from one pearl to another, and with the color I'm thinking you have cultured freshwater pearls. When you rub one pearl gently against another, do they feel slightly gritty?

Do you see any markings on the clasp or earrings? Possibly they're plated.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I will only add that I own some imitation pearls that are not all completely round.

To be honest they look like imitations to me. The clasp is the sort I've seen on many fake strands and the knots are so grimy that the necklace looks like it's been around a while, maybe longer than there have been FW pearls that round.

Do as Pattye has suggested-- rub 2 of the pearls together gently -- but wipe them first with a damp cloth to remove any film of grime that might interfere with the test. Real pearls feel a bit gritty, fake pearls feel smooth, when rubbed this way.
Edited to add: I have stopped recommending rubbing pearls against teeth (“Tooth test”) Teeth are harder than pearls and can scratch them.

 

[pattye]

Also, do you see any peeling around the drill holes? Good points, PD.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Or any excess pearly coating material near the drill holes, which would also indicate imitations.

The stones in the clasp and earrings look like rhinestones.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

The clasp looks older costume jewelry but the oval shape of the pearls look like freshwater. I cannot imagine imitations being so off round.

Strange combination and I am curious

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Here are my vintage imitations-- many of the pearls are off-round, presumably to make them seem real.

The clasp is a box clasp with a wide tongue. It has "Japan" stamped on it.