Could anyone provide us some opinion on what gemstone this might be so we could narrow down our test? We couldn't appear to any commercial gem testing location yet for security reasons because if this item is found to be authentic, we need to ensure our security while moving this around. We suspect the green one could be garnet, alexandrite, or even emerald. While the black items are known to be jade.
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:29 pm Posts: 1047 Location: Paris
Wowwwww I want this beautiful genuine emerald or garnet or alexandrite or whatever for my next birthday ! If I am unable to lift it as a ring, I will block some papers or doors with it. Yes you had better not go to any gem testing location, not for security but for seriousness reasons.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Kidding aside (cough cough, Isi), what can you do to help identify this green unknown. Do you have any loupes or magnifiers to look more closely at the stone?
I agree with Stephen glass is the most likely option. Let's do some easy tests.
Check the rounded facet edges for fractures. I suspect you might find some small conchoidal fractures. It will look like tiny shiny concave features.
Look inside the unknown. Anything look like bubbles? Check thoroughly.
Do you have anything lying around which you know is a genuine crystal...maybe a piece of quartz or a large agate. Touch your upper lip with it. It's cold right? Touch the green stone to your upper lip? What is the temperature by comparison.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Marlow, your wish is my command. I am going to open a new thread called Glass, Slag and related Wannabes. We will add all the threads that belong there.
Barbara, That is a good idea so only those interested in these kinds of threads will look there. The rest can simply ignore the whole thread.
I will say that since these glass/slag/fakes have been a part of the industry for thousands of years, they can be interesting. I had the chance to examine some of the ancient crowns in an African country a couple of years ago. A great many of the "stones" in these crowns are glass, or other fakes.
Also new versions of fakes being created and sold all of the time. I get sent images and videos of "stones" from the bush regularly. In the last couple of months I have been offered very fine Benitoite from a new discovery in Africa, and the largest, finest Sapphire XTL I have ever seen. All fakes of course, but people are trading these kinds of things daily. Maybe I will post some of the interesting fakes I get sent pictures of in the new thread.
Last edited by 1bwana1 on Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:16 am Posts: 239 Location: Germany
Sounds like a good idea
Me an one of my sons are collecting glass from a nearby lake. Its fun for him and interesting for me as some of these glasses are hundred and more years old. So glass is not always boring. And for test-cutting or trying always welcome
Kidding aside (cough cough, Isi), what can you do to help identify this green unknown. Do you have any loupes or magnifiers to look more closely at the stone?
I agree with Stephen glass is the most likely option. Let's do some easy tests.
Check the rounded facet edges for fractures. I suspect you might find some small conchoidal fractures. It will look like tiny shiny concave features.
Look inside the unknown. Anything look like bubbles? Check thoroughly.
Do you have anything lying around which you know is a genuine crystal...maybe a piece of quartz or a large agate. Touch your upper lip with it. It's cold right? Touch the green stone to your upper lip? What is the temperature by comparison.
Report back.
Hi Barbara Voltaire. Thanks for the tips. We'll try these methods and let you all know.
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