An X-ray of a real and an imitation pearl strand.

An X-ray of two Pearl Strands. The fake pearl strand is made from plastic and x-rays can easily pass through, while the real pearls are much denser to the x-rays and are shown at the bottom of the picture. Real Pearls are accretions of nacre (calcium carbonate) secreted by certain oysters and mussels. The presence of a foreign body (such as a parasite or a grain of sand) within the shell triggers the secretion of nacre by the mollusk?s mantle. Thin layers are deposited on the irritant particle and, over several years, a pearl is formed.

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Filename: real-fake-pearlblue.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 5400x6716 / 13.7MB; radiograph radiographs x-ray ray rays x-rays xray xrays x ray x rays pearl necklace pearls polished precious string imitation fake
Contained in galleries: X-Rays

An X-ray of two Pearl Strands. The fake pearl strand is made from plastic and x-rays can easily pass through, while the real pearls are much denser to the x-rays and are shown at the bottom of the picture. Real Pearls are accretions of nacre (calcium carbonate) secreted by certain oysters and mussels. The presence of a foreign body (such as a parasite or a grain of sand) within the shell triggers the secretion of nacre by the mollusk?s mantle. Thin layers are deposited on the irritant particle and, over several years, a pearl is formed.