Imitation pearls are artificial, manufactured "pearls". They have no real value as a gemstone. Imitation pearls can be made from glass, ceramic, shell, or even plastic. The bead of glass, ceramic, shell, or even plastic is coated with varnish and/or other materials in order to produce a pearl-like luster.
Imitation pearls are generally marketed under descriptive terms such as "faux," "simulated," "artificial," or "man-made." A common test to determine whether a pearl is genuine or imitation consists of scraping the pearl gently across one's teeth. Imitation pearls feel smooth to the tooth, while genuine pearls feel slightly gritty or abrasive due to the crystalline structure of the nacre.
