How to tell fake pearl grips from real pearl grips

[mtnbkr]

Does anyone know?

I picked up a set of "Pearl" grips from Gunparts Corp's clearance section for $8. I didn't expect real pearl, but I thought, what the heck, it doesn't say "faux" or "fake", just "pearl". The ones I got are not drilled for the mounting screw and there's a sticker on the inside that says "K-2 Handmade in Israel". They have a definately synthetic backing material that is black.

Any thoughts?

Chris

 

[Mal H]

Chris - There's one test that is reliable and doesn't require any chemical tests. It's called the "tooth test". Rub the pearl against your teeth. If it is genuine pearl or mother of pearl, it will feel rough or gritty. Plastic or faux pearl will feel smooth.

 

[mtnbkr]

I tried that. It's not glassy smooth, nor is it very rough, but there is a very slight grit to the feel.

Chris

 

[Mal H]

That's it. It won't feel like sandpaper, but it isn't smooth. Most likely real pearl.

 

[sm]

The outside "skin" of a pearl is referred to as nacre'. It had a slight "grittiness" to it. I'm dead serious, but if one takes a pearl and gently 'grinds' one's teeth on it it will feel gritty. If the "pearl" in question is slick it is imitation. I don't see why it owuldn't work on grips, It works on mobe' [mabe'] whichever spelling one prefers Earrings, broaches and such.

I won't get into the construction/ differences of Natural , Cultured, Imitation pearl, nor will I get into Japenese, Chinese, Freshwater, Black and other descriptions.

NEVER use ammonia to clean pearls, IT WILL remove the nacre', guaranteed!! Clean with mild soap and water (Ivory, Lux...etc) , Fancy smancy "Pearl Cleaning" solutions are mild soap, water a wee bit of alcohol...

Similar note: Genuine Ivory has "grain" say like wood does, Imitation, man-made, synthetic Ivory does not. I do not suggest cleaning Ivory because the grain and personality it was makes Ivory so unique. [Imitation won't get this "personality" btw]. IF and I mean IF, one chooses to clean IVORY mild soap and water like pearls is suggested, NEVER USE Ammonia [dries out the natural properties]. NOW if one really really wants to "whiten" Ivory, Polident ( tm) denture cleaner will whiten the whole bit. One can observe and stop at a degree of white...you leave and walk away it won't hurt it...it will be extremly white and lose its character. Don't worry, given time that natural patina/grain/discoloration, will return and give back that character that Ivory is know for.

HTH

oops...Mal beat me to it...

 

[mtnbkr]

This what I have

Front:

Back:

Whaddya think?

Chris

 

[sm]

I think after you send the gun to Mal H ( mods first-right?) send the gun to me...we'll get back to you. [ work with me here Mal...I'm trying.

OK, in the pic's it appears to be pearl all right. Follow me on this if you will. If you go to a Jewelry store and look at a "loose" mobe',[mabe' ]pearl (unset, not in a mounting) you will note similarites to your pic.

The skin ( nacre') is 'shaved' removed from the oyster. In this state it is very thin and weak. Thickness- if you will -is determined by age of pearl in oyster. Ok they then "fill" this hollow nacre' with putty type substance for strength and stability. Usually a off-white putty color. Often times, not always a transparent coat of hardener is applied over the putty substance only ( kinda like a clear coat). In Jewelry, this color ( off white/gray.kahki) is more appealing to the various mountings...gold ( 14K and 18k yellow and white) and Platinum...just looks more appealing.

On the Gray, "Black" ...various other colors of pearls they use a darker putty, which is what your pic/grips show. Being as these were designed as grips and the back would never show, they used the dark putty. I really never noticed a difference in the strenght of the two putty(s) btw.

The putty is just allowed to dry and then shaped, smoothed for cosmetic appeal.

Nice looking grips!

Drilling pearls is tricky ( I don't see grip screw holes in yours). Pearls will split/chip/break easy. Getting a start on a smooth slick surface takes a knack too .. Drill will skate all over the place...you don't want that. They do make a special "pearl drill bit" for , naturally, drilling pearls. Pearls will dull a bit--quick, the heat from drilling will discolor and break the pearl. The "twist drill" can work...but...this is where using a very low speed on a Foredom Flexshaft and having a good foot pedal rheostat really really is needed. Having the "touch" and experience is a bonus. Start small, go slow, keep changing to larger sizes, and be patient. Not a bad idea to stop, walk away, then go at it again. I can't stress enough the importance of only using the Foredom Flexshaft in the variabe mode. I made my point 20 yrs ago with my buddy whom had his set on "high" as we call it. I moved that cabe to the other 'shaft setting and he never regretted it and never used "high speed" only again. Applicable to not only pearls btw.

 

[mtnbkr]

Cool, thanks for the info. I think I'll look around and find someone with experience to drill these things when I'm ready to use them. I don't want to risk damaging them.

Chris

 

[sm]

Thanks goes to you Sir, we all learn from this stuff...whom knows who may benefit from your question. Every once in a blue moon I just happen to have something to contribute.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I watched a guy at NRA drill a set of pearl grips on a drill press. Made a wood block that would hold the grip seady, then taped the two together.

He used a new needle point bit at moderate speed with very slow feed speed and kept spraying it with water.

Worked well, and fit his gun.

 

[sm]

Mike, was the bit flat , with a taper to a wee length to the point? If so that is a "pearl bit" Busch (tm) is a mfg of top quality bits,burrs, cup burs ...etc.

Understand I wasn't "really" supposed to, or "set up" for some firearms stuff...firearm stuff just appeared and "got fixed".

I had made a jig,, used masking tape, used mineral oil...don't know how that gun, those grips got here...don't know nuttin' I'm doing the stuff I'm supposed to be doing. *ahem* having a business, and or keys and alarm code and free range of a shop is missed at times...at times only.

 

[Mike Irwin]

SM,

Don't remember the exact configuration of the bit.

I saw MTNBKR's grips today. I don't think the're real pearl.

 

[sm]

Mike,
I have been "out of the loop" as they say. I recall the new "imitations" were undergoing some new processes, darn scary good!! These new methods were "grown" and finished out just like Mother Nature's. With out the "putty" specific gravity would help. X-Ray is used to determine the Natural pearl if a question really needs a answer.

Price and time prohibitive for these grips. The pic looks good, in real life how did mntbkr's appear?

 

[clubsoda22]

"hey are these real?"

"bill...why are you chewing on my revolver?"

 

[Traveler]

If you must drill them make up a jig first. Then have them set square in a mill and use a carbide cutter. I would think that at around 600 rpm the chance of chipping would be minimized.