Real or fake? And why peeling?

[Bubbiespearls]

These were my great-grandmothers. I just started wearing them on occasion and now they're peeling. Looks like a white marble underneath. What is this?

 

[jshepherd]

These appear to be fake pearls - beads with a coating that is coming off.

 

[CortezPearls]

I totally agree. These are imitation "pearls".