Hello Everyone!Alright some tips for beginners. More then likely you are not a pearl expert if you are buying pearls on amazon, I did research for a few months and first purchase was actually a mess I had no idea what I was doing. So read on ...** GUIDE TO NEW PEARL PURCHASER ** VERY HELPFUL **Here is the short story skip below if you want the quick highlights... took a lot of time to simply months of research as SIMPLE and EASY TO READ AS POSSIBLE. Originally first pearls I bought didn't come with any kind of certification. I was thinking how the heck am I going to know if these are real or not!?* VERIFY AUTHENTICITY TAKES 2 SECONDS *So some very quick and basic tips to checking if the pearls are real or fake in two simple steps.1 - Rub them together it should feel like a grinding gritty feeling like rubbing sand paper together if they are real pearls.2 - Rub them against your teeth or bite them softly if they feel like glass on the surface of your teeth, then they are indeed fake.3 - Still have doubts? take it to a pearl expert NOT A COMMON JEWELER, most times they wont know for sure because of how many different ways a pearl can be cultivated.* TYPES OF PEARLS ( 3 Most Popular )There are 3 main different types of pearls which determine rarity and value.Rarity Level ( Descending Order 1 being the Rarest )1. Black South Sea Pearls2. Japanese Akoya Pearls ( Traditional 100 year old Japanese Pearls ) * BEST GIFTS *3. Salt Water Pearls ( most common and inexpensive )Defining Above Pearls1. South sea pearls are cherished for their incredibly exotic colors and mirror-like luster. Although they are known as " Black Pearls ," These pearls are produced by the Pinctada oyster, which is found exclusively in Tahiti and other French Polynesian islands.2. Known as the "icon" of cultured pearls, Akoya pearls have graced the necks, ears, fingers, and wrists of women for decades. Most Popular3. Freshwater pearls are typically found in lakes and rivers in China, and are produced in mollusks called mussels.**DETERMINING RATING QUALITY **What Determines quality is something called " Luster " Which is the shine on the outside of the pearls.** MAINTENANCE**Something good to know if they are real pearls they will wear out over time. So Highly suggest wiping with cloth after worn and no perfume or oils on the pearls.** RATING ** ( BASICALLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 10k,14k and 18k GOLD )A = Cheapest, Lowest quality pearls ( Expect a 3 out of 10 in roundness and symmetry ) ( Any pearl would go on here )AA = Mid Range Pearls, ( 5 out of 10 in roundness and symmetry) ( Any slightly better pearls would do )AA + = Lower High End of the scale, Good Symmetry and roundness but not perfect ( 7.5 - 8.5 out of 10 ) (1 out of every 1000 would be selected)AAA | AAAA = The best quality pearls have been hand selected to be the most round. ( 9.5 out of 10 ) ( Let's say for example 1 out of every 10,000 pearls selected to fit this quality necklace )Took alot of time to write this, to help out anyone who was in the same position I was.Thanks for reading hope I was able to help in some way!