Abstract
The X-ray based Diffraction Enhanced Imaging method (DEI) has been adopted for pearl examination. Pearls of different origin have been tested with this new method. DEI images - especially of large pearls - give more accentuated internal growth features in comparison with usual X-radiographs and show structures which could not be made visible with conventional methods. The DEI method furthermore offers a tool for the separation of larger tissue-nucleated cultured pearls from natural freshwater pearls if conventional X-ray methods fail.
