Since ancient times, precious stones have attracted people's attention with their qualities: beautiful bright color, hardness and durability, brilliance and play of light. The price of each piece depends on its size, jewelry characteristics and cut quality. Some imitations are so high quality that it is very difficult to independently determine whether the gem you like is real or not. However, there are techniques, following which, you can identify a fake. Methods are based primarily on knowledge unique properties gems.
Of the more than 4000 types of minerals, approximately 100 varieties are recognized as precious. They also include stones of organic origin: pearls, amber, jet and coral.
In jewelry stores, you can find jewelry with inserts from both natural gemstones and their synthetic counterparts. Artificially grown crystals have the same optical, physical and chemical properties as natural ones. Differentiating them without special instruments is not an easy task, even for gemologists.
There are methods for upgrading valuable but low quality minerals to increase their value. The essence of this process is that as a result of a certain influence, the crystal acquires a more intense and interesting color. For example, pale varieties of amethyst or smoky quartz are turned into citrine by subjecting them to heat treatment. In such cases, only a specialist can find out whether the gem is used in the decoration or its refined version. This information is necessarily displayed in the accompanying documentation.
For simpler imitations, cheap minerals, painted in the appropriate color, ceramics or glass can be used. It is much easier to distinguish them from real gems at home. Sometimes manufacturers create composite stones (doublets, triplets) - crystals glued from several pieces, the layered structure of which is visible if you look at the sample from the side.
The main proof of the natural origin of precious minerals is that the seller has a certificate.
It should indicate:
- type of stone;
- size and weight;
- Colour;
- purity;
- cutting method;
- defects;
- place of extraction.
If it is impossible to check the availability of documents or the jewelry has already been purchased, you can evaluate it yourself. To do this, you need to understand the basic properties and characteristics of minerals. As a key criterion for checking stones for authenticity, the following parameters are assessed:
- hardness;
- electrification - the ability to attract small objects;
- refraction and brilliance;
- pleochroism - the property to change color depending on the angle of view or when changing lighting;
- luminescence - the ability of some minerals to glow with water when exposed to ultraviolet rays, for which you can use a pen to check banknotes with a UV flashlight;
- chemical reaction - not applicable for evaluating organic stones.
Diamond or brilliant
The diamond has become one of the most popular jewelry stones thanks to its exceptional brilliance. Scientists in different countries have worked on technologies for growing synthetic diamonds. For the first time, it was possible to obtain gem-quality samples only in 1955 in the USA. Colorless zircon, synthetic transparent sapphire or spinel, cubic zirconia can be given for diamonds.
To determine the authenticity of a diamond, it is necessary to take into account the following properties:
- A diamond is a standard of hardness, therefore, if the edges of the crystal seem to be erased or scratches are present on the surface, this is a fake.
- If glycerin is applied to a real diamond and then immersed in water, it will continue to shine brightly, and imitations made of sapphire, crystal glass or spinel will be hard to see.
- The cut of the diamond contributes to the fact that the light is reflected from the lower edges, as from mirrors, so looking through the crystal you cannot see what is under it - only a luminous point in the center.
- In a diamond, light is reflected by all facets; if you look at the crystal from the side, it will also shine.
- Most diamonds glow blue in ultraviolet light.
Identifying a synthetic diamond in a piece of jewelry is more difficult than identifying a single sample, since the presence of metal limits the use of some methods, and the setting of the jewelry does not allow viewing the mineral from all sides.
Turquoise
Despite the fact that turquoise is not a rare mineral, most of the raw materials mined are of poor quality. Therefore, the stones are subjected to additional strengthening and coloring. In addition, pressed gems are common, which are made from the powder remaining from the processing of turquoise. These jewelry are not fake, but over time they take on a dirty tint.
The popularity of turquoise and its properties were the reason that the first attempts to imitate this stone were made in ancient Egypt and in antiquity. Today, on sale you can find both synthetic stone and simpler imitations of plastic, enamel, as well as minerals painted under turquoise, for example, howlite is very close to turquoise in many characteristics.
To check the naturalness of the stone, you can use the following methods:
- Turquoise has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. It can be scratched with a little effort. If this cannot be done, then it is a glass or porcelain imitation, and if the sample is easily scratched, leaving white shavings, it is plastic.
- Like many minerals, turquoise stays cool for a long time if you hold it in your hand.
- When the size of the stone permits, an experiment with a red-hot needle can be performed. If you touch the tip to the surface, the plastic will melt. The color of the colored mineral at the point of contact will brighten. If a sample of hardened turquoise is examined, a drop of impregnation may appear at the point of contact.
- When hydrochloric acid acts on the surface of the stone, some fakes (Neolithic and Viennese turquoise) will appear yellow spots and the original will not change.
Garnet
Pomegranates are not very often counterfeited, due to the fact that they exist effective methods checking them. As an imitation, colored glass, cubic zirconia, less often plastic can be inserted into the decoration.
To test an individual gem, the magnetic properties of the mineral can be used. This requires a sensitive balance, a piece of magnet and a cork backing. The sample must be placed on a substrate and then on the balance. If you bring a magnet closer to the grenade, then at a distance of about 1 cm the arrow of the balance will begin to oscillate.
An important indicator authenticity will be the size of the stone, since most of the stones mined are small - the size of a pomegranate grain.
Stone differs from glass in that garnet heats up more slowly and has an uneven color.
Emerald
Emerald, along with diamond, ruby and sapphire, is included in the first class of precious minerals. Synthetically grown analogs can only be determined by a specialist.
To distinguish a natural stone from a fake, you should pay attention to a number of features:
- The hardness of the emerald is 7.5–8 according to Mohs, therefore the cut crystal must have clear edges, without scratches on the surface.
- If you look at the sample through a magnifying glass, in the depth you can see cracks with gas-liquid inclusions, as well as parallel growth lines. The fake contains hollow air bubbles.
- In ultraviolet light, the emerald glows red, but not always - it depends on the place of extraction of the mineral, therefore, using the method, you can only confirm the authenticity of the sample, and not identify a fake.
Amber
Amber is a precious stone of organic origin, it is the fossilized resin of ancient trees. The classification of amber includes dozens of varieties, each of which differs in color, transparency and place of extraction. The presence of prehistoric insects or plants in the hardened resin significantly increases the cost of the specimen. These semi-precious stones are often replaced with plastic fakes, copal and bernite are also used.
To determine the nature of amber, you can do a number of things:
- If the stone is not framed, you can dip it in a saline solution (3-4 tablespoons of salt in a glass of water). Fakes, except for polystyrene, will go to the bottom, but the real mineral will not.
- Natural amber is electrified. If you rub its surface with a woolen cloth, it will begin to attract small particles.
- If you bring the sample to a fire or put a hot needle to the surface, you can smell the resin, and the fake will smell like plastic.
- In ultraviolet light, the original amber begins to fluoresce in bluish white or green tones.
- The natural specimen is warm and pleasant to the touch.
Pearl
Wild sea pearls of perfectly round shape cost more than one thousand dollars. Therefore, the practice of growing cultured pearls has been developing for a long time. It is cheaper, but it is also of natural origin. The cost of river pearls is also small.
At home, there are several ways to determine if a pearl is real:
- It is a fairly soft stone (3.5–4.5 according to Mohs). If you rub two beads together, dust will appear, but the mother-of-pearl surface will not be damaged.
- To appreciate pearls in a finished product, you need to pay attention to the mother-of-pearl surface. In natural specimens, you can see randomly located spots with less gloss and a slightly different shade, which are formed by a non-uniform layering of conchiolin.
- Tactile check. The surface of the pearl is porous and rough - if you run the stone over the surface of the tooth, the pearl will creak.
- The fluorescence of pearls is conditional and is determined by the composition of the water in which it has grown.
Ruby
Ruby is a precious red variety of corundum. A natural specimen with high purity values is comparable in value to diamonds. Under the guise of rubies, jewelry can be synthetic stones, red spinel, tourmaline or garnet.
The easiest way to distinguish the original from pomegranate, tourmaline and stained glass:
- Ruby is harder than garnet, it shines brightly, while garnet is dull and has a resinous sheen.
- Compared to glass, it stays cool for a long time.
- You can determine the authenticity of a sample in ultraviolet light: tourmalines fluoresce orange, and rubies fluoresce red.
- Many rubies also fluoresce in sunlight, especially in specimens from Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
- Have natural stones the effect of dichroism is observed: the color alternates from lilac-red to yellow-red, depending on the lighting.
- Rubies are characterized by the presence of rutile in the structure, which creates the effect of a silky whitish glow inside the crystal.
- Unlike spinel, ruby does not contain inclusions that resemble bubbles. Synthetic swatches often have bubbles and funnels.
Sapphire
Traditionally, the blue variety of corundum is called sapphire. In addition, there are yellow, black, blue, greenish, pink, purple and colorless varieties. Refined crystals can be found on sale.
Sapphires are replaced with colored glass, blue spinel or tourmaline; doublets are also used.
The following properties will help to distinguish a gem:
- in terms of hardness, the original is second only to diamond;
- dichroism is inherent in natural crystal: if you look at the sapphire from above, then it has a deep blue color, if from the side it is yellowish-blue or greenish;
- sapphires, like rubies, sometimes contain rutile inclusions, which create a silky shine of the stone or the effect of asterism;
- in short-wave ultraviolet, as a rule, they do not glow, and artificial analogs fluoresce pale green.
Topaz
Topaz is a popular gemstone that comes in a variety of colors. On sale, you can often find refined samples of saturated colors and rainbow mystic topaz, which is obtained as a result of applying a special spraying to the surface. Methods for creating synthetic topaz have been developed, but they have not become widespread due to the high final cost. Quartz or glass are used as imitations.
The natural origin of topaz is determined by the following features:
- The hardness of the stone is 8 points according to Mohs, it is harder than quartz and glass and, unlike the latter, remains cool.
- The surface of polished topaz feels slippery to the touch.
- The mineral is electrified if you rub it with a napkin made from natural materials.
- In ultraviolet light, natural stone glows green or brown.
- Topaz is characterized by pleochroism. Blue crystals change to green or colorless shades when lighting changes. Yellow - to dark yellow or reddish, pink - to red and rarely orange.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is distinguished by its greenish-blue sea-green color, it is often confused with blue topaz. To increase the color intensity, pale stones are heated.
There are no synthetic aquamarines on sale - glass, synthetic spinel and quartz are used as imitations.
The naturalness of aquamarine can be confirmed by the following characteristics:
- the hardness of the mineral is 7.5–8 according to Mohs;
- natural aquamarines are characterized by blotches of white color, reminiscent of chrysanthemum and snowflakes;
- transparent varieties have a glossy sheen;
- at different angles the crystal slightly changes color;
- the mineral scratches the glass and does not heat up, unlike it.
Corundum
Corundum belongs to precious stones in the same way as its popular varieties - ruby and sapphire. Pure transparent corundums are extremely rare in nature. In deposits, colored varieties are more often found, whose color is determined by the presence of impurities in the rock.
The natural origin of the mineral is checked in the same way as in the case of rubies and sapphires, with the exception of color:
How to identify a stone in a piece of jewelry
Determining the authenticity of gemstones enclosed in metals is more difficult because the setting limits visual inspection. However, the following methods remain effective:
- you can find out which mineral is inserted into a ring or earrings using ultraviolet light;
- examine the holes in the beads - their edges should not be melted;
- you can evaluate the inside of the stone and see if there is a sharp change in color;
- expensive gems cannot be rimmed cheap.
It takes experience to properly evaluate gemstones. Since the main competitors of natural minerals are synthetic crystals, the main protection against error will be contacting a gemologist and buying jewelry from trusted sellers.
Since ancient times, the moonstone has been considered one of the most powerful magical minerals. A natural gem can be transparent and colorless, have a light gray and bluish tint, sometimes even with a yellow tint.
Adularia is highly valued not only for its beauty, but also for its medicinal and magical powers with which he is endowed. The crystal actively helps in the presence of diseases associated with the nervous system, helps with digestive problems, allergies and asthma. He is considered a symbol and talisman of lovers, helps to find a soul mate, and if the partner's feelings pass, then he quickly fades and loses its natural shine.
Powerful magical properties, beauty and cost - this is what attracts the lunar crystal of people. However, this is a fairly rare gem and its loot is limited. Today, fakes for this mineral are very widespread and only a few know how to distinguish a real moonstone from a fake.
How to distinguish a real moonstone from a fake?
One of the most obvious and important features of a lunar gem, in the presence of which you can accurately determine its naturalness - iridescence (ability to flicker).
- There are several varieties of adularia, which are often passed off as a genuine specimen, due to their similar ability to glow: belomorite and peristerite. It is possible to distinguish a mineral from fakes based on them solely for the price. Natural crystal will be expensive, as opposed to more affordable quality imitations.
- You can also distinguish adularia from a synthetic fake made of plastic or glass by considering the presence or absence of natural glow in it. Without seeing the flicker, you can say for sure that this is a fake.
- A true adularia is not capable of refracting light at an angle greater than 15 degrees. If it shines equally at different angles, this is definitely not the original.
- In view of certain properties, any natural crystal does not heat up, therefore, taking it in hand, it will remain cool for a long time. In this way, most natural minerals can be distinguished from cheap imitations.
- How to tell a natural moonstone from a synthetic gem? In the case of a lunar crystal, it is worth remembering that an artificially grown or fake gem will be much brighter and richer than the original.
- If you touch the surface of a natural adularia, it may seem that you are touching silk fabric. The artificial mineral won't have that strong effect.
- The gem will never be sold in jewelry stores.
Only a specialist or a jeweler can unambiguously determine the authenticity of a piece of jewelry, having carried out the necessary texts and checks. In order not to be mistaken with a choice and not to fall for scammers and their fakes, choose stores specializing in the sale of natural gems.
Mineral Market online store is the world jewelry with natural precious and semi-precious gems. Here you will find the widest selection of jewelry in St. Petersburg at an affordable cost.
More and more often, fakes and poor quality goods are found in jewelry stores. On store shelves, there are jewelry with precious and synthetic inserts. Sometimes the buyer is deceived, and instead of a gem, he gets an imitation. The topic of artificial minerals excites the entire jewelry world. Even a gemologist will not be able to visually distinguish all products with a magnifying glass. How to recognize a gem without special education?
Artificial stones are:
- synthetic;
- ennobled;
- imitation.
Only in the laboratory can a synthetic crystal be distinguished from a natural one. The composition and structure of the minerals are identical. The basic physical properties of analogs are close to natural ones.
Gemologists also define refined crystals that undergo the following processing:
- staining;
- waxing (waxing / oiling);
- coating;
- heating (heating);
- filling;
- irradiation;
- whitening.
These data must be indicated in the certificate that is attached to the stone. In some stores, information is not conveyed to the client. The buyer can purchase a refined ruby, the cost of which is $ 5 ct at the natural price - $ 10,000 ct. The consumer can go to court, and such a transaction is regarded as fraudulent.
The Jewelry Confederation has developed a document for trade organizations. According to the prescription, special terminology accepted throughout the world should be used. . How do you know if a gem or not? This information can be obtained from the certificate.
In the civilized world, precious minerals are sold only with a certificate. To confirm the document, you can contact the laboratory.
The most prestigious logo on jewelry is Gübelin. The Swiss brand produces jewelry of the highest quality.
In jewelry stores, a certificate is issued for each stone. The document states:
- the size;
- Colour;
- proportions;
- purity;
- defects;
- cutting method;
- place of extraction.
The stores assure the buyer that all products are checked for compliance. How to determine whether a stone is real or not, standing in front of a display case? All grown minerals are perfect.
How to identify a real stone yourself?
Exists simple ways definitions of imitation:
- warmth;
- aurally;
- by weight;
- fingernail.
The mineral must be picked up and held. Natural material cold and heavy. All minerals have inclusions. The product is viewed under different lighting conditions. To do this, use a magnifying glass, choosing a model with a magnification of 10 times. When viewed, the crystal is moved up and down to obtain a clear image at depth.
The gem can be rubbed wet wipe... If there is a trace of paint on the fabric, do not buy jewelry.
The purity and perfection of the stone is a sign of a fake. Before buying a gem, you should study the following information:
- crystal shades;
- cutting methods;
- Place of Birth.
The synthetic crystal is determined using an ultraviolet flashlight. If the stone has a bright glow, then it is synthesized.
Natural stone scratches glass. There are ways and signs by which the authenticity of the crystal is determined.
Corundum
The physical properties of natural and synthetic corundums are similar. To recognize natural and synthetic rubies, sapphires, the presence of inclusions and cracks is important. How can you tell if a stone or glass is in front of you? A strong magnifying glass is used for this purpose.
Natural rubies contain rutile. The peculiarity of natural ruby is its mottled color. Natural sapphires contain gas-liquid inclusions. A sign of their naturalness is the zonal coloration.
Features of synthetic corundum:
- Gas inclusions of various sizes and shapes.
- Curvilinear color distribution.
Natural sapphire resembles velvet in color. Fake spinel will be darker. If a beam is directed at a natural sapphire, it will be in the shape of a six-pointed star. Natural sapphire cannot be scratched with a fingernail or knife.
Emerald
If a natural crystal is examined with a magnifying glass, one can see cracks with gas-liquid inclusions. Sometimes they are mistaken for air bubbles in a fake.
A synthetic emerald can be tested by pointing an ultraviolet flashlight at it. If a stone is luminescent in an unnatural color, it is synthetic. Natural has a reddish-brown tint under ultraviolet light. This method is not accurate. Colombian emerald will not change its color.
How to tell if stone is natural or artificial? The natural mineral has clear edges, while the synthetic ones are worn out. Artificial crystal - with a yellowish tint.
Smaller emeralds are glued together into one piece. Other crystals are used for counterfeiting. This is how large samples are obtained by gluing a small emerald with synthetic spinel, beryl, quartz.
A quality emerald has a rich color. By the nature of the inclusions, the gemologist determines the deposit of the stone. Emeralds from Colombia are tinted. You can check this at home. The mineral is placed in water with washing powder.
Amber
There are several ways to determine the authenticity of amber:
- Natural amber will always float on the surface saline solution(4 tablespoons per glass of water).
- Attach a red-hot needle to amber. Smells like resin - natural stone, plastic - fake.
- If amber is rubbed against natural fabrics, it becomes electrified. Finely cut paper will be attracted to the stone.
An ultraviolet filter is used for research. Transparent amber will luminesce blue and green. An opaque specimen gives a milky hue, while an untreated specimen gives a brown color.
Pearl
Natural formation extracted from shells is heavier than a fake. Pearls have an uneven surface, while imitation has a smooth surface. If two pearls are rubbed against each other, they cling.
One of the safest ways is to run pearls over your teeth. Natural stone creaks. If the pearl is dropped on the floor, it will bounce. Natural pearls can be scratched without leaving a trace. The price of natural, cultivated and imitation is different.
What stones do they imitate?
Glass and plastic are often used to counterfeit gemstones. With the help of these materials, they imitate such stones: carnelian, chrysoprase, turquoise and so on. Spinel and glass are used to counterfeit ruby.
Glued doublets are also used. Stones are combined with glass. How to distinguish a gem from a glass? It is easy to recognize a counterfeit with a magnifying glass. Bubbles will be located at the bonding point.
To imitate precious minerals, use:
- Lower quality natural minerals.
- Synthetic stones.
- Glass.
- Plastic.
- Pressed crystals.
- Composite stones (doublet, triplet).
It is difficult to determine the authenticity of a piece of jewelry without special knowledge. When buying a gem from a jeweler, it is best to contact an appraiser.
Mineral quality assessment
Gemological examination is a study of the authenticity of stones. Product quality control is as follows. The first assessment is visual. The gemologist examines the mineral with a magnifying glass. With this examination, the marriage is screened out:
- chips;
- scratches;
- scuffs.
There are specific inclusions for each mineral. The gemologist sends the product for additional research if he finds signs of:
- uneven color;
- bubbles.
The centers of expertise and assessment use the following devices:
- Refractometer.
- Polariscope.
- Chelsea filter.
- Jim the tester.
The extinction of the sample is determined using a polariscope. The gemologist will be able to immediately determine whether it is glass or mineral.
A refractometer measures the value of refraction, which is different for each material. An immersion liquid is used for research. Using a pipette, apply a few drops and cover with a protective glass. The readings are taken after 30 seconds. After that, it is compared with the data in the table and it is determined which mineral was brought for evaluation.
How to distinguish natural from artificial stone? The Chelsea filter helps to establish the origin of emeralds, sapphires and rubies. Some gemologists believe that the device has lost its relevance. Synthetic emeralds are difficult to distinguish even with equipment.
The Jim Tester measures the thermal conductivity of a mineral.
The laboratory determines:
- authenticity;
- origin;
- the presence of refinement.
The principle for evaluating a stone is called the "4C Rule". These are criteria such as weight, color, purity and quality.
Synthetic stones
Analogs are created specifically for jewelry, while the price of products is lower. The synthesized minerals have:
- maximum purity;
- high optical properties;
- color saturation.
In addition to analogues that have similar properties, scientists have created and artificial stones- cubic zirconia and others.
The production of synthetic products is growing, and technologies are also improving. The buyer has the right to choose. Some want to have unique stones, others are only interested in external beauty. The consumer wants to receive the product that is indicated on the tag.
Gold and precious stones have always attracted people. They not only decorated them, but also were a reliable means of investment and preservation of capital, which often pushed dishonest merchants into forgery and deception. Indian jeweler Mohammed Amir revealed some tips on how to recognize a fake and avoid buying a pig in a poke.
Amir is far from high fashion... His products are not shown on the catwalks or offered the richest people all over the world. He creates his little masterpieces for ordinary people. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries - he has gifts for every occasion and pocket. If you do not know exactly where Amir's store is, it will be difficult to find him, because the market where he works is very popular among tourists and is nicknamed "Yashka" among the common people. There are so many jewelry shops here that your eyes are dazzling.
There are not many jewelry on the window of his small shop, but as he speaks with the client, new luxury goods appear from his hidden bins. He has even more precious stones. Different shapes, different quality and price. Many clients come exactly for stones and order jewelry for themselves.
In India, all the jewelers do this, how do you? What is worse is displayed in the window, and the most interesting things are kept in a case?
Amir: No, it's just that the store is small and the windows cannot accommodate everything. Although the more expensive items we prefer not to flaunt from a safety point of view.
Has your family been in the jewelry business for a long time?
Amir: The origins date back to the arrival of the Mughals in India (XVI century - Auth.). But so it goes family history... And so I can clearly say that for the last 300 years all my ancestors, including my father, grandfather, etc., were jewelers. Now I continue the business with my brothers.
Are you from some special caste or is it just that?
Amir: Yes, our caste is Sheikh-Lahori. Everyone who belongs to it is engaged in jewelry business.
Please tell me what an ordinary person can do, i.e. not a jeweler, to distinguish a good gem from a bad one?
Amir: First, if you are looking to buy a stone or jewelry, always ask for a certificate. If the store is good, you will definitely be presented with such a document. I have it for all products with precious stones... If it is not there and you still want to buy a piece of jewelry, take a close look at the stone. Of course, this is not easy, but all the same, holding it in the light, you can understand whether it is cloudy or transparent, whether there are chips and scratches, cracks, etc. The stone can also be weighed: a real natural stone is always heavier than an artificial one.
Are there many artificial stones in the Indian market?
Amir: Yes, there are often fakes, so you need to be more careful. Moreover, you can be deceived not only when buying a cheap jewelry, you can spend several thousand dollars and be left with nothing. So choose a safe place.
What are "heated" stones?
Amir: The stone is heated so that it matures faster and gains a more intense color. For example, all rubies sold in Delhi shops are "heated". They are real, you will even be given a certificate for them, but they acquired their color artificially. There is a small proportion of Burmese rubies, they are very different from others in dark red color and price. They are many times more expensive.
Another category of stones is "processed". For example, there is a real natural stone, but it has one small flaw - emptiness inside. Then it is cleaned and filled with tinted liquid glass. It solidifies and the stone is ready. He is also real, but with a nuance.
Do Delhi shops sell local stones or do you import them?
Amir: Most of the stones are imported. Mostly African, and also brought from Southeast Asia. In India, stones are practically not mined.
But still there are stones about which we can confidently say that they are from India?
Amir: There are Kashmiri topaz and emeralds. They are of very high quality and very expensive. You can rarely find them on the market. But semi-precious stones such as garnet, moonstone, black onyx, cat's eye are mainly produced in India.
Is it possible to determine the value of a stone by cutting?
Amir: The arithmetic is simple: the fewer the facets, the cheaper the stone. For a diamond, for example, the maximum number of facets is 57. Such a stone will be expensive. Other stones also have their own methods of cutting, as they all differ in their physical qualities. But only a specialist can do this task. It will be difficult for an ordinary person to immediately determine the type of cut, and he is unlikely to count the facets. (Laughs.)
What stones are in fashion today?
Amir: Diamonds, of course. They are always in fashion. For example, all our diamonds are African. Sapphires, rubies are also popular. Among semi-precious stones in the first place blue topaz.
Do you have Russian diamonds? We have a lot of diamonds in Yakutia ...
Amir: No, maybe they will appear in the future.
What stones would you recommend buying in India?
Amir: High quality. (Laughs.)
What about pearls?
Amir: All river pearls, from China. Sea shipping is rare, it is much more expensive and is usually brought to order.
Tell us about gold alloys ... What are used in India for jewelry?
Amir: We add copper and silver to gold, so Indian gold is softer and easier to process.
Are you putting samples?
Amir: A government test must be put on gold items. It is applied with a laser and, in addition to the purity of the metal, the symbol of the company where the product was produced is also applied. Our symbol is a star. Other stores have their own symbols. On it you can find out the history of jewelry according to the state register, where all jewelry companies... Large, of course. If there is no such test, then it is better to think about whether to buy jewelry. But I put my own test on silver items so as not to pay a duty to the state. Silver is not very expensive, and it turns out to be unprofitable to pay extra for a sample.
Do you also make silver items?
Amir: Yes, but not very much.
Are they also faked or is it unprofitable?
Amir: Oh sure. You have to be careful. Sometimes they can sell you a silver table set, where silver is only 50%, and they will take it for the 875th standard. Here it is advisable to buy one spoon from the set and take it to the laboratory for analysis. But it will take 1-2 days. Therefore, there is another way. If the spoon bends and does not break, it means that there is a lot of silver in the product and the fineness is high, and if it breaks, then it is in half with another metal.
Is it true that in order to smooth out the imperfections of jewelry, they are plated with rhodium?
Amir: A layer of rhodium is usually applied to gold and silver items, not only to hide the flaws in the jeweler's work, but also to add shine to the jewelry. There is nothing wrong with this, but it must be remembered that some people are allergic to it.
How can you test a product for rhodium?
Amir: Such products are immediately noticeable. They have an unnaturally bright sheen. They do not fade. You also need to remember that a fake can be hidden behind a layer of rhodium. So you can slip, for example, a copper or bronze ring, instead of gold, and you will know about it only after a year, when the layer of rhodium is gradually erased.
You have been in the jewelry business for many years, who are your customers?
Amir: Our market is mainly visited by tourists from Russia and the CIS countries. I even learned a little Russian especially for them.
The natural desire for beautiful jewelry makes many buyers easy targets for all kinds of scammers. And in this case, the coveted diamonds in earrings bought in a jewelry store turn out to be nothing more than cheap cubic zirconias, and an amber necklace turns into a plastic fake. Be a vigilant shopper and don't be fooled. To buy jewelry with natural stone, it is not at all necessary to invite a venerable specialist. Our tips will help you make a good purchase.
Amethyst
Synthetic amethyst is one of the imitations of natural amethyst, and it is very difficult to recognize a fake, since the physicochemical properties of the artificial and natural mineral are very similar. Such synthetic analogs are now being produced on an industrial scale and in jewelry are used very often. Even more often you can find dyed cubic zirconias, which can be identified by a very simple method. Attach a stone to your cheek: natural amethysts do not conduct heat well, which means they will stay cool for a long time. It is better to check large stones in a gemological laboratory.
Aquamarine
It is very easy to confuse aquamarines with natural topaz, since both minerals have the same shade and structural inclusions and defects that are present in all natural stones. One of the methods for diagnosing aquamarines can be the so-called "chrysanthemums" in the structure of the stone (noticeable white inclusions), which cannot be found in topaz. Artificial spinel, ordinary glass and synthetic quartz, which have individual physical and chemical properties, can serve as imitations of aquamarine. For example, these imitations do not produce the fickle color that aquamarine is famous for. If you turn it at different angles, you can observe a change in at least two, or even three shades: bluish, blue, green and their variations.
Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the leaders in terms of the number of types of fakes. They can be like ordinary plastic or glass, which are quite easy to recognize upon close examination, since they do not have a special porous turquoise surface. In addition, glass fakes impersonate the presence of microscopic air bubbles, which are not found in natural turquoise. As for the more skillful counterfeits, it is necessary to mention here low-quality samples of turquoise, which are refined and passed off as first-class minerals by laboratory methods. Heat treatment, application of special strengthening compounds, gluing of turquoise chips and many other methods are involved. When gluing defective pieces of turquoise, there is a possibility that the stone will soon crumble into pieces and you will have to stock up on Moment glue.
Heliodor
The most valuable examples of this mineral are lemon-colored heliodors with a high degree of transparency, so immediately refuse to buy if you are offered not very clean and even turbid stones. When buying, it will not be superfluous to have a glass with you in order to run a heliodor over it. The stone should scratch the glass surface, because its hardness is quite high - 7.5 on the Moss scale. Another distinguishing feature of a natural heliodor is a yellow glow in the short wavelength range.
Rhinestone
It should be understood that rhinestone- this is not at all the same as the substance from which "crystal" glasses cost two hundred rubles are made. In fact, this is just a mixture of quartz, soda and lime, however, quite good fakes for rock crystal are obtained from it. Sometimes, under the guise of this beautiful mineral, ordinary glass is sold at all, but it is not at all difficult to recognize a natural stone. Look at the structure of the mineral - even without a magnifying glass, you can see a slight haze in it, which resembles frozen ice. Glass, on the other hand, is transparent and not as cool as rock crystal, which remains cold even in the most intense heat.
Garnet
Pomegranate is not often counterfeited. Firstly, the price of this beautiful mineral is quite democratic, and secondly, garnets have a number of specific features inherent only to them. These stones have a slight magnetism, so when buying, you should arm yourself with a magnet and a cork, which is needed to neutralize the magnetic field of the metal scales where you put the grenade. So, the pomegranate is put on the cork, and the cork on the scales. Then a magnet is carefully brought to the stone and, at a distance of ten millimeters, the garnet will begin to manifest its magnetic nature through the oscillation of the arrows of the scales.
Moonstone
For a moonstone, you can easily take frosted glass or plastic, which is painted using a special technology in order to obtain a non-uniform color. Outwardly, such a glass counterfeit is very similar to a moonstone, but there is no play of light and a myriad of multi-colored reflections in it when the mineral is brought to a light source. Moreover, these reflections are reflected each time in a new way, and in the glass the sparkles seem to have frozen in a vacuum. The same applies to white chalcedony and synthetic spinel, which are thermally treated to give them a specific luster of moonstone. Only X-ray irradiation of the mineral will help here, which will reveal the white-violet glow characteristic of the moonstone. You can also try to see the moonstone with a tenfold magnifying glass, through which you can see the multistage structure and layering inherent in feldspar.
Topaz
There are quite a few methods for recognizing natural topaz. One of them is a simple tactile analysis: if, touching a stone, you feel a slippery and cold surface, most likely topaz is in front of you. You can also use a woolen cloth to verify the authenticity of a mineral: if you rub the topaz well with it, it will accumulate electricity and attract the smallest objects, for example, hairs, a piece of napkin and other light debris. If possible, dip the stone in methylene iodide - real topaz will drown in this liquid, and fakes, such as quartz, will remain floating on the surface. Not only the stone itself can be forged, but also its quality parameters. Many jewelry topaz is characterized by color refining by heat treatment. It is possible to identify traces of refinement only in a gemological laboratory. Also, golden topaz or Madeira topaz are born, which are something other than heated to the right temperature amethysts.
Chrysolite
This bright green stone is often counterfeited with stained glass, and it is quite difficult for an inexperienced buyer to distinguish a fake from the original. But this is very simple - in most cases the glass fake is colored unevenly and thickening and gaps can be observed in different areas of the glass. In the case of natural chrysolite, you will not see such metamorphoses: the stone has the same color and intensity throughout its structure. It happens that they try to pass off olive-green plastic beads for chrysolite (they can be easily scratched and even spoiled with an ordinary knife), as well as green tourmaline or chrysoberyl, which outwardly are difficult to distinguish even for an experienced jeweler. A fake can only be recognized in laboratory conditions using special equipment.
Lapis lazuli
Anyone who has ever seen the mineral of natural lapis lazuli will hardly ever confuse this stone with something similar (lazulite, azurite, sodalite, dumortierite). The point is that the shade of this amazing stone unusually blue, one might say it "hurts the eye" with its blue. Fakes cannot recreate such a rich blue hue, they are paler and more boring than the original. If you have never dealt with lapis lazuli, check the stone in the following way: dip it in a glass of water and shake it. Counterfeits, such as jasper dyed with Prussian blue or synthetic spinel dyed with cobalt oxide, will immediately dye the water blue or blue, and natural lapis lazuli will leave behind clear water. There is another way to recognize lapis lazuli - dissolving a natural mineral in hydrochloric acid - but it can hardly be considered a diagnostic sign.
Citrine
Natural citrine is a beautiful bright yellow stone often used in jewelry. However, when purchasing a ring or earrings with citrines, make sure that they are selling you not roasted amethyst or refined quartz, the cost of which is much lower, namely natural citrine. It can be distinguished by its less saturated yellow color, which in refined amethyst or quartz is obtrusively yellow and even with an orange-red tint. Natural citrine can have several colors (amber, pale yellow, etc.), but they are all kept in a calm tone. The dichroism effect of natural citrines can serve as a diagnostic sign: at different angles of view, the color of the mineral changes from pale yellow to rich lemon. Counterfeits do not have such an effect and have the same and uniform color regardless of the angle of view.
