Lesson20: Artificial Pearls

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1. Overview of Artificial Pearls

Classification:
Common types of artificial pearls on the market include Swarovski crystal pearls, shell pearls, plastic pearls, and glass pearls. Among these, Swarovski crystal pearls are closest to natural pearls in terms of luster and weight, and they are priced higher than other artificial pearls.

Luster: Swarovski crystal pearls > Shell pearls > Glass pearls > Plastic pearls
Price: Swarovski crystal pearls > Shell pearls > Glass pearls > Plastic pearls

2. Swarovski Crystal Pearls

Overview:
A high-quality artificial pearl produced by the renowned Austrian brand Swarovski. These pearls are often referred to as “Swarovski pearls” or sometimes “artificial South Sea pearls” (人造澳白).

Characteristics:

• Material: Composed of a high-quality crystal core coated with a layer of electroplated nacre.
• Luster: Comparable to top-tier Akoya pearls, often indistinguishable by the naked eye.
• Durability: Long-lasting luster, resistant to peeling and scratching, making them suitable for prolonged wear.
• Color: Available in a range of classic colors to meet market demands for South Sea pearls, Akoya, and Tahitian pearls. Popular colors include white, cream, pink, grey, gold, and silver-blue.

Price:
Compared to natural pearls, Swarovski crystal pearls are more affordable but still more expensive than other artificial pearls (e.g., plastic pearls, shell pearls).

Market Situation:
Due to their excellent quality, Swarovski pearls are a great alternative to natural pearls. However, counterfeit versions, such as Korean or domestic imitations, are common. Buyers should verify authenticity when purchasing.

3. Shell Pearls

Overview:
Shell pearls come in two varieties:

1. Compressed Shell Powder Pearls: Made by pressing shell powder into molds.
2. Natural Shell Pearls: Crafted from polished pieces of natural sea shells.

The first type is more affordable and common, while the second type is higher-end and rarer. Regardless, neither type compares to real pearls.

Characteristics:

• Luster: Dull and flat.
• Weight: Lighter than natural pearls due to lower density.
• Durability: Prone to damage, and low-quality shell pearls may peel or lose color.

4. Plastic Pearls

Overview:
Made from plastic materials using injection molding techniques. Plastic pearls are coated with a pearlescent layer or paint to enhance their appearance.

Characteristics:

• Luster: Hard and uniform, with small granules or imperfections visible on the surface.
• Density: Low, making them feel lightweight and hollow to the touch.
• Durability: Poor; long-term wear or friction may cause the surface coating to peel off, resulting in a loss of luster.

5. Glass Pearls

Overview:
Glass pearls are made primarily from glass materials and come in two types:

1. Hollow Glass Imitation Pearls: These pearls are hollow and filled with wax. They are immersed in a special liquid known as “pearl essence” to enhance luster and texture.
2. Solid Glass Imitation Pearls: Made from solid glass, with a surface coating to imitate pearl luster.

Characteristics:

• Luster: Glass pearls have a bright surface after special treatment, though not as warm and radiant as natural pearls.
• Durability: Less resistant to damage compared to natural pearls; they may shatter upon strong impact.

6. Distinguishing Artificial Pearls from Natural Pearls

1. Luster: Artificial pearls have a stronger, more uniform luster, while natural pearls display a warm, multi-tonal glow.
2. Surface Blemishes: Artificial pearls often have flawless surfaces, while natural pearls may have slight blemishes or growth lines.
3. Surface Texture: Artificial pearls may show coating flaws or paint build-up, whereas natural pearls have a smooth, fine surface.
4. Uniformity: Artificial pearls are uniformly sized and colored, while natural pearls vary in appearance.
5. Weight: Artificial pearls (especially plastic) feel lighter due to lower density.
6. Drill Holes: Artificial pearls may have chipping or paint accumulation around drill holes; natural pearls do not.
7. Surface Damage: Rubbing pearls together may feel different; natural pearls feel slightly gritty, while artificial pearls feel smooth. Scratching with a fingernail may leave pearl dust on natural pearls.