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 Post subject: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:59 pm 
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I recently acquired 3 gemstones and the previous owner did not know what any of them were. I'm fairly certain of what two of them are, however there is one that I cannot tell if it's a Garnet or a Ruby. It has a large amount of some type of white crystal attached to it which I also am uncertain of. If anyone here could take a look at these photos and just give me their opinion I would be ecstatic!

Here is the stone I need help identifying.

Image Image Image Image

I apologize for the picture quality my camera has focusing issues, I hope these will suffice.

The previous owner had attached the gold brace to the top of it intending to use it as a necklace, the other 2 gemstones are braced with gold and silver as well. The other 2 stones are Amethyst and Citrine, which I knew from my own experience.

It does resemble other Rubies I have, and I always assumed Garnets were more of a deep dark red.

Also what would you assume the crystals below it are? It's one large cluster of crystals with small specks of orange and red mixed in it, no stone at all just crystals.

If anyone can give me their opinion it would be great, I don't mean to come in like some sort of leech. I have no gemologist near me, the closest is about 3 hours away and I don't feel it's worth the drive or money having a professional look at it. Anyways whether you guys and gals can help or not, thanks!


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:22 pm 
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Oh, that gold cap has got to go.

Your pictures make the crystal on top look orange.

Spessartite garnet on smoky quartz?

Rare earth magnets will stick to spessartite. It has a high range of magnetic susceptibility.

Rubies are inert to extremely weak with magnets.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:40 pm 
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I agree wholeheartedly that the cap needs to go!

The feedback is much appreciated, so we've got one vote for a Garnet.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:45 pm 
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Also, I know my cursed camera makes it look a tad orange (the gold cap doesn't help).

But in person it is certainly a pinkish/red.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 12:43 pm 
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Report back when you are able to test with a magnet.
My comment was a possibility with instructions on how to seperate the 2.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:31 pm 
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I don't think I have ever seen a ruby on this sort of mateix. Garnet wouldn't be high on my list either though.

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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:34 pm 
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I just tested them with a very powerful neodymium magnet and had no reaction whatsoever. Not even the slightest nudge or wiggle from either side, the ruby/garnet or the other cluster. :-k


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 5:09 pm 
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I was making my guess based on some specimens in my collection.
Smoky quartz, fractured spessartite, a little sprinkle of galena

But clearly, your unknown did not pass the magnet test :| I'm surprised the magnet was not attracted to the pendant finding.
Image


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:23 pm 
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I know it's odd, one good thing from the magnet test though is that gold brace on the top is gold for sure. I assumed it was plated but no reaction to the magnet at all.

So does this mean its possibly a ruby? What mineral would grow clustered like this along side a ruby if so.

Also whomever had this heat treated the ruby/garnet because it has that what I call "jolly rancher" look to is, I guess they heated that section of it only?

Either I'm stumped. :|


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 9:53 pm 
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Hi Anselmo.
What is the Jolly Roger effect?


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:41 pm 
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When they take a rough gemstone and heat it with whatever process, "heat treated" to improve its color and clarity.

Image

To me it makes the rough gemstone look like a partially sucked on jolly rancher candy. :P

I'm fairly confident someone did this to the garnet/ruby at top, but somehow managed to not do it to the bottom crystal cluster.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:58 pm 
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I think most here are intimately familiar with heat treatment.
I also think you are making assumptions which have minimal (perhaps NO) merit.

Anselmo, do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area? I would be happy to take a look at your unknown.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 11:46 pm 
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The garnet/ruby looks like its slightly melted, like molten glass that has hardened. Very shiny and transparent, which is why I guessed it was heat treated.

I think it's a rather rational assumption and certainly holds merit haha! I wish you could see this thing in person so you knew what I'm talking about. I will post a few more photos of it shortly from my wife's camera it takes great pictures.

No I do not live on the West Coast unfortunately, not even close. I'm on the Gulf Coast.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:08 am 
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Image Image Image Image


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 Post subject: Re: Is it a Garnet or a Ruby?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 1:46 pm 
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Lead glass filling produces a slick surface (coated with glass). Other treatments don't.
I hate to say it but I am questioning if that is a stone at all under the bail. Looks more like wax or glue used to hold the bail on.

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