Gemstones: real or fake? AKA: Know what you are buying….PART 1

There are real gemstones that a fabulous and blingy and all good things that a girl wants.  There rhinestones and other man-made stones that can be just as beautiful and perfectly ok as long as they are sold as such.

But then there are the stones that are sold as one thing and are something completely different.  This is my topic for today.  The reason I chose this topic as my second post is because I was taken.  I trusted my supplier (who likely trusted her supplier) and wound up with beautifully colored, expensive ….. glass!

There are two (2) issues here.   The first is simulating a diamond or sapphire quality gemstone.  The second is the manufacture of stones to sell as a gemstone that doesn’t exist.

All uncultivated stones have organic materials found in them.  Gemologists call these materials inclusions; a natural flaw in the stone.  If a stone appears TOO perfect, it likely is synthetic.  It is perfectly fine to own a synthetic stone as long as you know it is synthetic and you pay accordingly.

It is rare for consumers to find a naturally beautiful stone.  “About 90% gems are treated to enhance their beauty.  If the gem dealer discloses information about its treatment, it is far better than someone trying to sell you a fake gem claiming that it is original. Heat treatments are fine as long as they are disclosed at the time of purchase.” (http://onlinegemstones.blogspot.ca/)

“Natural gemstones are ones that are naturally beautiful, without any treatments or enhancements. Synthetic gems have more sparkle than real gemstones. They have more weight than original stones as chemicals are added to make the gem look real. A fake gemstone could either be a glass stone or a lab-created stone. A glass gemstone can have tiny bubbles inside or scratches on it. Normally lab-created gems do not have inclusions as they are hidden or filled. A fake gemstone will have uneven luster and color. If you notice any uneven color, it could mean that the stone has been dyed to hide flaws. Synthetic gems have scissor cuts and glass gems have rounded edges on cuts.  Cubic zirconia and synthetic moissanite are two (2) popular simulation diamonds.  They are both affordable and durable materials that are created in a lab.  

Testing if a diamond is real or fake is easy. If you breathe on it, it should not turn foggy. The real test of a real diamond is that it should be able to cut glass. A genuine gemstone will have GIA (Gemological Institute of America Appraisal) certification. If you have any doubts about the stone being real, take it to a gemologist and have it checked. He will easily be able to tell if it is fake or genuine. If a gemstone has been treated, it can easily be detected by a gemologist.” (http://onlinegemstones.blogspot.ca/)

Tomorrow I will talk about the other kind of fake stones so I will see you then.