One of the major reasons why turquoise is so popular among collectors is its beautiful blue-green color. Nevertheless, the market is loaded with counterfeit products. Acquiring the skill to differentiate a genuine turquoise from a fake one will not only keep your investment safe but also allow you to be sure that you have authentic pieces. A real turquoise stone in reality shows certain features that a fake one cannot have.
Knowing Real Turquoise Stone Characteristics
Real turquoise may have color and texture differences since it is a natural product. Every single real turquoise has the pattern of the matrix which was made by nature over millions of years. The stone has a waxy feeling. Its flaws come from nature as opposed to fakes that are made by the machine.
Turquoise hardness scale by Mohs ranges between 5 and 6. The hardness being average means that stones can be easily scratched by a diamond but the stone won’t be scratched by a fingernail. Most fakes are either too hard or too soft as compared to the real specimens.
Visual Tests for Genuine vs Fake Turquoise
What you should do first is to check the color with great care. The color of turquoise can either be blue or greenish blue. A product having a very bright and uniform color means that it is a dyed material. Color variations and even transitions are present in natural stones. Matrix lines on authentic pieces look irregular and random.
Look at the money aspect. Real turquoise is not cheap. Usually, cheap gemstones for sale that are offered for sale are fakes. The reason why real turquoise stones are expensive is because the process of mining is difficult and the stones are rare.
Physical Testing Methods
Only on a very small and hidden patch should you carry out the acetone test. A cotton swab is dipped in acetone and used to gently rub on the surface. A fake turquoise gives off color whereas a real one doesn’t change. This test is a way to uncover the fake dye based how lite or magnesite.
Also, the hot needle test is quite helpful. A heated needle should be put on a small and hidden spot. What is usually emitted from plastic fakes is a chemical-like smell and melting slightly. A real turquoise is without any reaction when exposed to brief heat.
Examining Turquoise Beadwork and Carvings
One of the first things to look for in turquoise beadwork is how well it is made. In an authentic beadwork, the beads should not be exactly the same color because they are all natural. On the contrary, if the beads are perfectly the same color and pattern, then those must be machine-made fakes. Moreover, with hand-carving, there can be slight differences in the size of the beads as well as unique features.
The process of turquoise gemstone carving is quite challenging and requires a lot of patience. In a genuine carved piece, you may find some tool marks as well as the natural behavior of the stone. The carving is done in such a way that it follows the stone’s natural grain and matrix patterns. On the other hand, synthetic materials are too perfect and uniform in their carving.
Professional Authentication Options
To check if a piece is authentic, jewelers are not short of great tools and methods. One of the tests done with UV light may help to reveal treatments and enhancements. Real turquoise will fluoresce differently than a treated one or a synthetic. Besides, professional gemologists can provide certificates of authenticity for valuable pieces.
Tests carried out in a laboratory have no doubt about the results they deliver. Spectroscopy can give accurate identification of the chemical composition of the sample in question. This scientific approach rules out speculation when done before buying a costly turquoise jewelry or specimen.
Market Considerations
Turquoise market is composed of different quality grades. A stabilized turquoise is one that has been treated but still remains a natural stone. Reconstituted turquoise is made from the small particles of real stone which are mixed with resin. Fully synthetic are those pieces that contain no natural turquoise material at all.
While you are at it looking for gemstones to buy, you might as well be considering the rhodochrosite stone price as an alternative investment.
Making Informed Purchases
Always purchase from dealers with a good name who commit to the authenticity of the products they sell. Do not hesitate to ask for the paperwork and the guarantees. Have a look at the pieces under bright light before making your final decision. Make price comparisons for the same products at different sellers to get a better understanding of market values.
Knowing and understanding the products remain the strongest weapon against deception. Learn all you can about an authentic turquoise and its features. If it is at all possible, try handling real ones in order to sharpen your skills of recognition. What you know will serve as a shield against making expensive mistakes.
To own authentic real turquoise stone is to have the pleasure that will never fade away. These gems that never go out of style make you part of the ancient earth processes and the age-old human traditions. Be smart with your money by checking the authenticity of a piece before you buy it.
