Turquoise is rarely found in nature, and products from it are quite expensive. That is why this stone is often faked. You can independently try to distinguish imitation from natural turquoise.
You will need
- - wet wipe;
- - cotton pad;
- - medical alcohol;
- - matches;
- - a needle;
- - a microscope.
Instruction manual
1
Take a damp cloth and swipe over the surface of the stone. If the material dyes, then you have a fake. But note that this method is unreliable - the dye can be quite stable. You can also try moistening a cotton swab with alcohol and rubbing turquoise. Stains will remain on the stone, and the cotton wool will turn into a characteristic color.
2
Hold turquoise over a burning match. If the stone began to blacken and melt, an unpleasant odor of plastic appeared, be sure that you are fake. It is advisable to carry out actions on the reverse side - such a check leads to damage to the stone. It should also be noted that the smell of burnt hair is characteristic of turquoise made from petrified animal bones.
3
Glow the needle and touch the turquoise. A real stone after such a treatment will change color, small drops of wax or resin will appear on the surface.
4
Swipe the surface of the turquoise with a needle. If the item is erased, and the stone is not scratched, it means that you have an imitation that is made of chalcedony, earthenware or glass. They have a hardness of more than 5.5 Mos, which is not typical for real turquoise. The appearance of white scratches and spiral-shaped chips indicates that this is a fake made of synthetic materials.
5
Take a close look at the turquoise under the microscope. A real stone has a porous surface. If you notice bubbles and microcracks, in front of you is an imitation of glass. In addition, pay attention to the color of the blotches. If they are dark, it may be magnesite stained with copper salts.
6
If you intend to buy a necklace or bracelet made of turquoise, pay special attention to the hole for the threads. The inside of the beads should not be lighter or darker than the main color of the product. If so, you are holding a fake made of painted synthetic materials.
