Chloe Zhang
Coral is a highly coveted gemstone that has been a part of human history and culture for millennia. It is formed from the skeletons of coral polyps that have hardened and is often polished into the vibrant gemstone we know today. Due to its limited availability and high market value, fake coral copies are often sold to unsuspecting buyers. Fortunately, there are several tests to differentiate between authentic and imitation coral, including visual inspections, the milk test, lemon juice test, vinegar test, and turmeric test. These tests exploit differences in appearance, chemical composition, and reaction to substances to determine the authenticity of coral.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Surface | Real coral has a smooth surface, even under strong magnification. |
| Sound | Fake coral sounds like glass when rubbed or tapped. |
| Colour | Real coral has a deep, natural colour. |
| Bubbles | Bubbles indicate a fake coral. |
| Milk test | Real red coral will turn milk a hint of red or pink. |
| Vinegar test | Real coral will create bubbles when placed in diluted vinegar. |
| Lemon juice test | Real coral will form small bubbles when lemon juice is applied. |
| Turmeric test | Fake coral will show a red mark when rubbed with turmeric. |
| Texture | Real coral has a distinctive texture, like wood grain, when seen under magnification. |
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What You'll Learn
Look for bubbles or mould lines on the surface
When trying to identify whether coral is real or plastic, one of the tests you can perform is to look for bubbles or mould lines on the surface. Real red coral will never have bubbles, whereas glass fakes often have tiny bubbles embedded in the mass, and mould lines can be seen in plastic imitations. Bubbles on the surface are a tell-tale sign of plastic or glass beads, as during the cooling process, the surface of these materials is susceptible to developing bubbles.
Another test to identify bubbles or mould lines is the lemon juice test. Place one or two drops of lemon juice or nitric acid on an inconspicuous part of the coral, such as the inside of a ring. If the coral is real, the liquid will cause effervescence and form small bubbles. However, real coral should not have bubbles embedded within it, so this test must be performed carefully to only observe bubbles on the surface of the coral and not within it.
A further test to identify mould lines is to rub raw turmeric on the coral's surface. If there is a red mark where the turmeric was or the colour changes, the coral is fake.
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Check for a smooth or uneven texture
One of the ways to differentiate real coral from plastic coral is to check for a smooth or uneven texture. Real coral beads have a smooth surface, even under strong magnification. On the other hand, fake corals made of plastic or glass will have a smooth texture without any irregularities.
To check for the texture, place your coral bead on a white cloth or neutral background with a quality light source. Next, take a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the bead's surface. If the surface is uneven and covered in bumps or granules, it is not real coral. Real coral may display various natural irregularities like grooves, pores, and a distinctive texture, much like wood grain, when seen under magnification.
Another way to identify the texture is to rub raw turmeric on the coral's surface. If there is a red or orange stain, the coral is likely fake as the turmeric reacts with the artificially colored dye. However, this test may not always be reliable as both real and fake corals may or may not change color or show stains. Additionally, it may damage an authentic coral specimen.
You can also try the lemon juice test. Place a drop of lemon juice or nitric acid on an inconspicuous part of the coral, such as the palm of a piece of jewelry. If the coral is real, it will form small bubbles on its surface.
Plastic corals are fairly easy to spot as it is difficult to completely remove the molding lines from plastic beads. Real red coral never has bubbles, while glass imitations often have tiny bubbles embedded in the mass.
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Perform the milk test
The milk test is a popular method to determine whether a red coral sample is authentic. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform the milk test:
Prepare the Materials
For this test, you will need a glass of milk and your red coral stone or bead. It is recommended to use a white cloth and a magnifying glass as well, but these are optional.
Observe the Coral's Appearance
Before performing the milk test, it is a good idea to examine the physical characteristics of the coral. Natural red corals tend to have a slightly rough or grainy texture, while fake corals made of plastic or glass will feel smooth or slippery. However, high-quality red corals can sometimes have a very smooth surface, so this test is not always conclusive. Additionally, look for any visible bubbles on the surface, which could indicate an imitation made of glass or plastic.
Place your coral bead on a white cloth or neutral background under good lighting conditions. If possible, use a magnifying glass to examine the bead's surface closely. Then, drop the coral stone or bead into the glass of milk. Observe what happens to the milk. If the milk turns red, this indicates that the coral is likely authentic. This colour change occurs due to the reaction between the milk and the chemical composition of real coral.
Alternative Tests
While the milk test is a widely suggested method, it is important to note that it may not be entirely accurate. Other suggested tests include the turmeric test, where you rub raw turmeric on the coral, and the rubbing test, where you tap the coral with your fingernail to check if it sounds like glass. However, these tests also have limitations and may not always provide conclusive results. For a more reliable identification, it is recommended to use scientific methods such as Infrared Spectroscopy, also known as Raman and Photoluminescence spectroscopy, which can accurately determine whether a coral is real or fake.
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Listen for a glass-like sound when tapping
To identify whether a coral bead is real or fake, one of the tests you can perform is the tapping test. Take the coral bead and place it in your hand. Then, use your fingernail to tap on it gently. As you tap, pay attention to the sound it makes. If it sounds like tapping on a glass object, then your coral bead is likely to be fake. This is because many imitation corals are made with dyed glass or plastic.
The tapping test is a simple and non-invasive way to help identify whether a coral bead is genuine or not. It is one of several do-it-yourself methods that can be used to test the authenticity of coral beads, which are highly sought-after gemstones often used in jewellery. Other similar tests include the milk test, the visual inspection test, and the weight test. These tests can be performed at home and can give you peace of mind about the authenticity of your coral beads.
However, it is important to note that these DIY tests may not always be 100% accurate and may even damage an original coral specimen. For more reliable results, it is recommended to send the coral beads to a gem expert for testing. Nevertheless, the tapping test can be a useful initial step in assessing the authenticity of your coral beads.
In addition to the tapping test, there are other physical characteristics that can help identify real coral. Genuine coral often has a matte surface with slight imperfections and variations in colour when examined closely. Natural coral also tends to feel slightly rough or grainy to the touch, while fake coral made of plastic or glass will feel smoother. Additionally, real coral may display distinctive coral polyps and skeletal patterns, and living coral typically exhibits a wider range of vibrant hues due to the symbiotic algae living within their structures.
By combining the tapping test with observations of these physical characteristics, you can increase your confidence in identifying real versus plastic coral.
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Use a microscope to look for irregularities
When identifying real coral, it is important to examine its structure for natural patterns and a calcareous texture. Genuine coral often exhibits unique branch-like formations, a matte finish when unpolished, and may have slight imperfections or variations in colour, indicating its organic origin.
To identify real coral from fake coral, one method is to use a microscope to look for irregularities. A microscope will allow you to see the fine natural grains, organic patterns, and tiny imperfections of real coral. Fake corals, especially those made of glass or plastic, will appear too smooth and flawless, lacking these natural textures.
A real red coral, when observed under a microscope, will exhibit a porous, fibrous texture. This is indicative of its organic formation, which fake corals lack. Fake red coral is usually made from glass, plastic, or compressed resins that mimic the colour but do not undergo the same natural formation process. Some imitations are crafted from bone or other organic materials and then dyed to resemble coral.
When examining coral under a microscope, look for fine natural pores, a key indicator of its organic origin. Real coral will also show slight colour variations, whereas imitation coral tends to have a uniform and overly vibrant colour that can appear unnatural.
In addition to using a microscope, there are other tests that can be performed to identify real coral. One test involves placing the coral in a glass of milk; real red coral will cause the milk to take on a hint of red or pink due to the absorption of the stone's colour. Another test is to rub the coral with a wet cloth; real coral will not release colour, whereas dyed imitations may show colour transfer.
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Frequently asked questions
Real coral will have natural irregularities like grooves and pores when observed under magnification. If there are any visible bubbles on the surface, it is probably plastic. Plastic coral will also have moulding lines, and will make a glass-like sound when tapped.
Yes, there are several other tests you can do. The milk test involves placing the coral in a glass of milk; real red coral will cause the milk to turn slightly red or pink. The lemon juice test involves placing a drop of lemon juice on the coral; if it is real, it will form small bubbles on its surface.
Real coral comes in a variety of colours, including red, orange, black, brown, and blue. It has a distinctive texture, much like wood grain, and a smooth surface.
Coral is an organic gemstone made of calcium carbonate and complex, insoluble protein secreted by marine coral reefs as their hard exoskeletons.
Coral is highly coveted and has a high market value, so there are many fake coral copies sold for quick, immediate profit. It is important to be able to identify real coral to ensure you are getting what you pay for.
