Information to remember!
Difference between cultured and natural freshwater pearls
Cultured pearls are farmed by a pearl farmer under controlled conditions by putting a foreign object such as a parasite into the mollusk. Natural pearls are formed on their own and by chance and also expensive compared to the farmed pearls.
The professionals can tell the difference between cultured and natural pearls by x-raying them to reveal the inner part of the pearl.
Real or fake pearls?
When purchasing freshwater pearls there is a test that you can do to ensure you are buying the real mccoy, rub the pearl on a tooth and if it feels like grains of sand the pearl is real, if it feels smooth then its a fake.
Obviously you can't do that test in a shop so a couple of other tricks is to do the weight test, gently bounce them in your hand, if real they will feel dense and heavy. Real pearls will have natural flaws in the surface, if they look too good they probably are not real.
The hole of the real pearl where the string goes through will be sharp and even chipped.
Semi precious stones - How to tell if real
To tell if your piece of jewellery has real semi precious stones, when putting it on it will feel cold, that is the natural source giving you a shiver!