Shopping for pearls and jewellery in Manila
Choosing pearls requires expert knowledge
Pearls are abundant in the Philippines. Natural pearls in the country are of the highest quality in the world and are very valuable, especially if you get truly authentic Philippine pearls. These pearls come from the many islands of the country, harvested by divers and then turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery by expert craftsman. Authentic pearls can be relatively expensive, and some cultured and alternatively made pearls can be a cheaper alternative.
Other natural minerals and materials for jewellery can also be found around the country, including gold. The country’s rich gold ore deposits are made into beautiful jewellery by the best goldsmiths mostly from Meycauayan in Bulacan, which is located just to the north of Manila.
Jewellery and pearl shops are very abundant in Manila, especially in most major shopping centres. You will find probably the most authentic shops in these locations. An easy way to spot a pearl shop is to look for the “culture” sections of department stores, where pearl sellers are usually located. Everything from white to black pearls can be found in these stores. Jewellery shops, on the other hand, also thrive in most shopping centres and in Manila’s famous Chinatown, right by Ongpin Street. For more on Chinatown.
Authentic freshwater pearls are truly great gems to keep and even collect. Fake pearls can be as pretty as authentic ones, but they are still no match for the radiance of the real freshwater variety. It is important that you know how to spot fakes in order to ensure the authenticity of the product you are about to purchase.
Yes, the Philippines is abundant in real freshwater pearls, although some may pass alternatively-made and cultured pearls as authentic freshwater. You don’t want to pay the same price for these less luxurious pearls. Here are some visual techniques that can help you tell the fake from the real one.
Different jewellery styles can be found
The Sun or Light Test
Pearls have attractive overtones. Putting them under bright lights reveals some varied colours and pigments, so it is hard to find a perfect match. You may want to get suspicious if you find that the pearls are so perfectly matched in terms of colour and overtones.
Magnification
Magnification is also a good way to go in visually testing your pearl. As you would with diamonds, you will see some characteristic irregularities and ridges in real pearls. Fakes, on the other hand, have a certain grainy smoothness. The drill holes in the pearls are also important indicators, as they show the insides. You will find that real pearls have several layers of nacre, as opposed to fake pearls which are just coated with a layer or two.
Natural look
Just a mere look at the pearls would tell if they are real or not. Authentic pearls would naturally have bumps and ridges as opposed to a perfectly smooth or round piece. Some artificial manufacturers and brands are wise enough to misshape their pearls, so you should not rely on the look alone.
The Feel
Authentic pearls warm to the skin faster than simulated glass pearls, while plastic and resin pearls tend to warm upon contact. In addition, real pearls weigh more than fakes, so a simple lift would do the trick—if it’s too light, then it’s probably a fake.
Where to buy jewellery in Manila
In terms of gold jewellery, it is really best to graze the streets of Binondo in Manila, where the country’s Chinatown resides. Ongpin Street has some of the most authentic and best quality gold stores in the country. The parade of jewellery shops in the area is unbelievable, giving visitors the feel of being drenched in gold.
Jewellery and pearl prices naturally vary. Custom made and designed jewellery would cost more than regular ones, especially when the design is elaborate. Most stores offer products in sets, often with the whole entourage of accessories to match. If you are interested, there are exact replicas of high-end jewellery designs from Bulgari, Tiffany, and Cartier available in some of these stores.
