You probably own at least one stunning pearl necklace, and since you didn’t spend too much on it, you are aware that it is a costume pearl necklace.
But this doesn’t mean that everyone has to know that your pearl necklace is not made of real pearls.
If you have been looking for ideas on how to make your fake pearls look real, you are in the right place. Here, we’ll look at some of the things you could do to make your fake pearls look real or genuine.
You will be happy to know that the recommendations are practical and you won’t have to break the bank for these. Some of these remedies are also readily available for you.
How to make fake pearls look real
- Use Clear Nail Polish
If you are looking for a quick fix and a remedy that will not cost you much, this is it. All you need is the nail polish that is used as the top coat for nail polish.
The top coat is clear, and it will give the pearls a perfect sheen that makes the pearls look stunning when worn.
The layer of clear polish will not only make the pearls look new and in good shape, but it will also add a nice layer of protection to the fake pearls/ beads.
All you need to do is to apply a thin layer of clear top-coat nail polish on the pearls. You may want to add one more layer of clear polish for a nice, lustrous finish.
- Clean the piece of jewelry
For pearl-studded rings, earrings, or necklace pendants, you may want to first wash and/or polish the jewelry. If the ring is made of sterling silver, for example, you will be one step closer to having a nice, lustrous finish to the ring if the metallic sections are clean.
Don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner or any other rough cleaning option. We recommend using some warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush or some baking soda if the ring is heavily tarnished.
Don’t keep in water for too long, though, because the top layer of the faux pearls could weaken over time. Also, just use a small amount of baking soda and avoid scratching the pearls with it because baking soda is abrasive.
Cleaning the metallic sections also applies to jewelry made of brass, copper, and any other metal. Otherwise, the pearls will not look that good, despite your best attempts.
- Mother of Pearl Acrylic Paint
For faux pearls that need a lot more work because they look too discolored, you may want to paint them over.
And you will be happy to know that you can paint over them easily using the Mother of Pearl acrylic paint.
You can find the paint at the crafts store, alongside other high-end paints and paint products like silver or gold-leafing paint.
These kinds of paints are often locked up, so you should check with the store attendant for the paint.
- Pearl Fingernail Polish
This polish will not only match and work with the pearls perfectly, but since the polish comes with its own paintbrush, it is easy to use.
Just make sure that the piece of jewelry is clean before you paint over the pearls. Keep in mind that the paint is there to make the pearls stand out, and your mission will fail horribly if the rest of the ring is tarnished, dull, and dirty.
- Replace the fake pearls
If you really love that ring and you don’t think you are ready to part with it, you may want to consider replacing the fake pearls.
You can take it to the bead store to see if you have the option of replacing the old fake pearls with newer ones.
This would also be an ideal option for you if you cannot afford to replace the old ring or pearls with new, natural, or genuine pearls. Of course, replacing the old pearls with new faux pearls doesn’t mean that they will last forever, but you will give a ring a new lease of life.
This might also be the best option for you if you don’t want to try the nail polish or pearl paint on the pearl because the pearl/ polish would still chip off, and the temporary solution may feel like a complete waste of time and effort.
- Get good-quality fake pearl jewelry.
Costume pearls are not usually knotted, and the two ends of the pearls might be crimped, and when this happens, the jewelry may corrode and look off.
To prevent this from happening, look for the pearl jewelry options that are made well, with the strings knotted fully as is done for real pearl jewelry.
For faux pearl necklaces, for example, you may want to use the French wire finish because it adds a nice classy finish and makes fake pearls look real and the necklace more elegant.
Like any other kind of jewelry on the market, even fake pearls are available in different classes, which means that even the fake pearls can look great or be valuable. An example of this is the Majorica pearl that looks as good as the real thing but sold for less.
- Change the clasp or metallic settings.
You could also change out the clasp, replacing the existing one with a clasp made of solid gold, as seen with the real pearl necklace.
Changing the clasp made of poor quality or gold-plated metal and replacing that with a high-quality and more lustrous metal will instantly elevate the appearance of your fake pearls and the jewelry as a whole.
The best part is that such small changes will make the fake pieces of pearl jewelry look real.
- Care for the jewelry
To ensure that your fake pearl jewelry doesn’t look cheap, you have to take great care of the jewelry. This means that you have to pay extra attention to the jewelry and only wear it when you are sure that the jewelry and the pearls will not be exposed to harsh conditions that would result in premature damage to the pearls. Avoid contact with water, dirt, and cleaning or bathing products.
Conclusion
Just because you cannot afford the real pearls doesn’t mean that the pearl jewelry in your collection has to look cheap.
Follow the recommendations above to make sure that the fake pearls look real. Read more useful tips here or here!
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.