"faux pearls" are very hot, very trendy these days! good quality glass or swarovski pearls, and there are so many pieces of jewelry one can make with them that are so much more fun, more beautiful, and more interesting than a simple strand of real pearls. not to belittle the classic strand of genuine pearl, i still think these are basic to any jewelry wardrobe, but contemporary jewelry has moved far and fast beyond...... you shouldn't feel bad if they are not real. they are real "faux pearls"!!!! they are beautiful exactly as they are.