Is there an easy way to tell if my pearl necklace is real?

There is a simple first test. Gently rub two pearls together or lightly against the edge of your front tooth. Real pearls, natural or cultured, usually feel slightly gritty or sandy. Most imitation pearls feel smooth and slick, like glass or plastic.

Look closely with a magnifying glass. Real pearls usually show small surface variations and slight differences in shape and color from pearl to pearl. Imitation pearls tend to look perfectly uniform, and the coating may be peeling around the drill holes, showing glass or plastic underneath. Real pearls also tend to feel cool to the touch and a little heavier than plastic beads.

Check the clasp. A clasp marked 14K, 18K or sterling suggests the strand was taken more seriously, though imitations sometimes have good clasps too. Real strands are usually knotted between each pearl.

These tests tell you if pearls are real, but not whether they are natural or cultured. For that, and for anything that looks valuable, have a jeweler or gemological lab examine them.