canid
This is a really great site I found that tells how you can tell fake minerals from authentic ones.
http://www.the-vug.com/vug/vugfakes.html
http://www.the-vug.com/vug/vugfakes.html
Site that explains fake minerals
Le Fanu
Wow! Love that site! I was about to post here enquiring about how to tell whether amber is fake. My local new age shop has a great block of amber with a fly trapped in it, which could very easily be resin (and isn't cheap).
Not sure how I'll find out. I don't think amber is listed on this site!
Not sure how I'll find out. I don't think amber is listed on this site!
photokat
Love it - thank you!
canid
Le Fanu said:
Oh, I know that one! First of all, it floats in salt water. Just mix your own & put the amber in it. Also, 'The word "elektron" in Greek means amber, a "natural plastic material". It was known that when amber was rubbed with dry cloth--producing what now one would call static electricity--it could attract light objects, such as bits of paper.' It works. Tear a teeny tiny bit of tissue, rub the amber vigorously on on fabric - it'll pick up the tissue if it's real amber, but you've got to do it quick. Sometimes if you rub it hard you can smell pine resin.
morticia monroe
canid said:
Good to know,,,it will keep me from putting fire to my grandmother's necklace.
Le Fanu
Wonderful! Of all the suggestions, this is the only one I can feasibly do in a shop. Hope the shop owner doesn't take offence...canid said:
Great link, cardlady! Unfortunately, those are difficult to try before buying!
MCsea
Thank you for the fantastic link!
MARINA
MARINA
cardlady22
One of the down sides to gemstone/mineral ID. Most test methods are potentially damaging or involve special equipment. Not too helpful to the average casual buyer.Le Fanu said:
BYOB ~ Bring Your Own Buddy!
Ahhh, I miss the gem shows.
Briar Rose
I remember watching, 20/20 with Joan London. She was out to spot the fakes, and went into mall jewelry stores (the ones that we love and trust; not!). Some of the stones were fakes with colored gel in between quartz. I will never forget that show. The sales associates had no idea, and after that they weren't allowed to speak on camera.
Also, she had her gem tested (bought from a mall jewelry shop), and her heart broke when she was told that the expenisve gem was a fake! She called the store on it, and they had nothing to say. I'll never forget that.
I remember working in a so-called upscale jewerly shop. I had wet a cloth to clean a necklace of ruby rondelle's ($3500), and the cloth was white when I started, and pinky-red when I finished.
Also, she had her gem tested (bought from a mall jewelry shop), and her heart broke when she was told that the expenisve gem was a fake! She called the store on it, and they had nothing to say. I'll never forget that.
I remember working in a so-called upscale jewerly shop. I had wet a cloth to clean a necklace of ruby rondelle's ($3500), and the cloth was white when I started, and pinky-red when I finished.
