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 Post subject: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 4:10 pm 
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A little backstory. I'm 30 and I've had this gem since I was 12. My mom's boyfriend at the time was the son of jewelers. He gave me this "emerald" along with 2 other small, pink/purple stones. I've recently started paying more attention to the stone and my curiosity has peaked. I can't help but wonder if it's real? If it's real..why would he give it to me?! I don't think it's glass as it passes the thermal test in that it stays cool while holding/rubbing it. I also have laid it on a white sheet and let light hit it..it shines a perfect green onto the sheet. I want to have an expert look at it to tell me if it's real or a lab made emeral but I'd be so embarrassed if it were a knockoff. It's also a very large gem and would certainly be valuable if real. I'm interested in all thoughts & suggestions. Thank you for your time & opinion.


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 8:34 pm 
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I moved this post. It isn't a "Forum Announcement".


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 8:49 pm 
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Another pic


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 8:54 pm 
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Yes, take it to a gemologist to be optically tested. A refractometer and a microscope could easily sort this out.
Where are you located Mrs. Stew?


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 8:58 pm 
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Thanks Barbara! I'm located in South Carolina, USA. Are there any other "tests" I can do at home to figure out of its lab made or authentic?


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 9:50 pm 
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Not really.
Contact your closest rock and mineral club.
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/club ... lina.shtml

I'm sure one of their members can help you with the identification.


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 11:20 pm 
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That said, it's a synthetic of some sort. That size, color, clarity and cut are just not seen together in natural stones. It's not physically impossible that it's a natural stone, it can't be scientifically excluded from a photo. But nevertheless the odds are overwhelming, to the point I would willingly stake many dollars on it. Gemology is great to explore if you just want to learn more, but don't go into this thinking there is a chance.

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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 11:56 pm 
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Yep, I don't know what the stone is, but I would say it's not an emerald.
You let us know. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 2:50 am 
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It seem's for me that this is a synthetic spinel green tourmaline and for sure not an emerald.
But there is no guarantee for a photo remote diagnosis, a gemological laboratory can say more because of taking all gemmological instruments for making tests as Barbra and Stephen already mentioned.


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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 3:41 am 
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(Use your cellphone or tablet.

you need a white screen - put it carefully with the large facet on the top ( table facet) on the screen - rotate it carefully.

If you see the same color all the time it could be glass or synth. spinel.

If you see different colors ( more yellow green and then a more bluish green for example) it could be an emerald ot tourmaline or something else - natural or synthetic.)

Works only with some older ipads, cellphones or tablets...

So indeed not very helpful...

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Last edited by Marlow on Sun May 29, 2016 4:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 3:55 am 
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Most recent cell phones have circularly polarized screens, so they are not much help. A monitor is a more reliable source of plane polarized light.

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 Post subject: Re: Thoughts on this emerald. Should I take it to a jeweler?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 4:27 am 
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I works with my ipad...

Edit:

It works with my ipad 1 - but not with a newer cheap tablet!!

So Stephen is right!

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