Round shell pearls with a layer...plastic?

[Pearlkitchen]

I was walking in Chinatown in Bangkok and I saw these big round pearls. Because of the perfect round shape, I thought these were imitation pearls. "No no, real pearls, shell pearl, shell pearl" , said the girl.

I looked in the hole of the pearl and I saw white material and I could see the dark layer . So I bought 4 of them as I liked the colour very much. At home I found out there was an extra layer and it looked like as if it was coated with plastic/acrylic .

I thought that was a bit odd and it felt unnatural. I would like to know more about this, so I can provide more and correct information to people.

 

[pattye]

Hi Pearlkitchen,

Welcome! You were right, imitation pearls. They, "shell pearls" are available all over ebay. IMHO, they should not even be using the term "pearl" as they are beads made to look like pearls. Hope they were very inexpensive. The girl lied. The coating can be made of any number of things, such as ground up fish scales, shells, etc., in resin over a plastic bead.

Faux pearls can be fun and make a fashion statement inexpensively. Some high end brands like Majorica, are carefully made and sell for $$$.

The earrings are very pretty, please do label them as imitation pearl.

 

[Pearlkitchen]

Thank you Pattye, feels good to have it confirmed. They were inexpensive, but I won't buy them again, that's for sure. The nice thing about pearls is that they are natural...
A lady bought the earrings and pendant, but because I wasn't sure about the pearl I sold them for a very friendly price (and I told her my doubts)
Thanks again!

 

[Nora]

While touring Spain for three weeks we saw lots of Majorica everywhere, quite expensive as Pattye mentioned. They were always labeled Majorica and not Majorca Pearls. FW were much cheaper.
Pearl earrings were on almost every ear lobe, white in different designs.