The Tooth Test: Gently scrape the pearl along the ridges of your top teeth. If it glides easily and smoothly, it is likely an imitation or fake pearl. If you feel a slight gritty abrasive, it is most likely a real cultured or natural pearl.

Here are the names of some imitation pearls:

• Atlas pearl
• Girasol pearl
• Laguna pearl
• Majorica pearl
• Red Sea pearl (coral beads)