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Thinking of buying pearl jewelry? Have a family heirloom made of pearl? A few simple tests can help you determine whether your pearl item is a fake or the "real deal" in a matter of minutes. Learn how to look and feel for the signs of a real pearl today and you'll never need to worry about falling for imitations again. Edit Steps Edit Visual Tests Look for minor imperfections. As noted above, real pearls are only rarely "perfect". Usually, they'll have small blemishes or irregularities in their shape. [1] Their outer nacre layer may also reflect light differently on different parts of the pearl. Imitation pearls are almost always "too perfect" — they look perfectly spherical, they have the same amount of luster on every part of the surface, and show no indents or imperfections. While perfectly round real pearls are rare but possible, a necklace will almost never be made only from these types of pearls. A necklace made from pearls that all se...

According to the National Consumer League, a nonprofit organization that helps stop fraud and other consumer misconduct over the United States and abroad, the number one scam reported to their Fraud Center is fake checks. Fortunately, you can use several methods to examine checks to determine if they are fake. It also helps to be aware of common check-related scams so that you can protect yourself. [1] Edit Steps Edit Examining the Check Look at the edges. Most checks that were written by a legitimate business have one edge that is rough or perforated. Examine the sides of the check to see if all sides are smooth. If they are, it might have been printed on a computer. [2] Check the bank logo. Look on the front of the check for the logo of the bank where the checking account is held. If you don't see a logo, the check is likely fake. If the logo is faded or faint, this is probably evidence of the logo being copied from another source. This signals a fake check as well. If t...