Not everyone has a gemological microscope to have a closer look at the drill hole of a pearl to see if it says anything about its validity. That is why it's a great idea to own a 10 power loupe so you can magnify pearls in low tech.
Here is a typical artificial pearl under a microscope. Without magnification, it looks pretty good, but zoom in and you can see that the smooth surface is disrupted near the drill hole.
A real pearl has structure to the nacre that causes it to fracture under the stress of drilling, which shows well in this photo. Often, the area inside has a waxy look from calcitic layers of growth - if it is a solid nacre cultured freshwater pearl.
Now that you know what to look for, be sure to get yourself a loupe. A simple 10 power loupe can be found online for around ten dollars. If you want a better one, look for a triplet with three lenses that correct for distortion.
Blaire Beavers
Managing Editor
Pearl Guide News
And a GIA Graduate Gemologist!
Here is a typical artificial pearl under a microscope. Without magnification, it looks pretty good, but zoom in and you can see that the smooth surface is disrupted near the drill hole.
A real pearl has structure to the nacre that causes it to fracture under the stress of drilling, which shows well in this photo. Often, the area inside has a waxy look from calcitic layers of growth - if it is a solid nacre cultured freshwater pearl.
Now that you know what to look for, be sure to get yourself a loupe. A simple 10 power loupe can be found online for around ten dollars. If you want a better one, look for a triplet with three lenses that correct for distortion.
Blaire Beavers
Managing Editor
Pearl Guide News
And a GIA Graduate Gemologist!
