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IMITATIONS AND DOCTORED
genuine
from fine imitations, the following points of difference will be of
service. All imitation pearls made of some solid material are heavier
than the genuine and lack the pearly characteristics of the fine
imitations even. If made of solid glass without acid finish, they are
shiny and too poor to require a second consideration, if acid finished
they have a "ground-glass" appearance which is unmistakable. If made of
other material of a vitreous nature, they are heavier than pearls, dull
in luster or without luster, dark in color and unmistakably lacking in
pearly characteristics. The only dangerous imitations are the Japan
culture pearls and the hollow, glass bead-pearls. The former may always
be recognized by the mother-of-pearl back, the latter by various signs.
All
these hollow glass beads, have one or two holes. They are coated on the
inside with fish-scale solution and filled with wax. Some are treated
with acid or sand-blasted to tone down the shiny, glassy appearing
surface, and to hide the blow-holes in the glass. The effect is quite
pearly, but the color is somewhat darker and they show some
iridescence. Without the 20
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