So I took this piece to a well known and frequently/greatly reviewed jewelers several days ago to have it appraised more or less and here's what I found out: The pearl, though beautiful and expertly crafted, is faux. The pendant style base holding the faux pearl and displaying the crystal studs along with the chain itself are both sterling silver coated with low carat gold. This information discovered by identifying the 925 numeric stamping on the bottom side of both components. The 'genuine' crystals are, surprise, CZ. In summary this is, the jeweler agreed, absolutely a beautiful piece worth the originally paid store value based on it's construct and aesthetic appeal, but the label seen printed in the bottom right corner is a bit misleading and without a trained eye's once over easily passable as true pearl, gold and crystal materials. I hope this long winded response answers any and all inquiries you and others might have, thanks for checking my listings out! -S. Gardner, founder/BEO R.T.C.M.M. Footnote: the jeweler referenced above is Motch Jewelers of Covington, Kentucky.