Alexei Volkov
Gemstones are natural minerals or stones that have been cut and polished to enhance their natural beauty. Determining the authenticity of a gemstone can be a challenging task, especially for those with little knowledge about them. Various tests and examinations can be carried out to distinguish between genuine and synthetic gemstones, but some require expertise or specialised equipment. Synthetic gemstones are created in a laboratory and often resemble their natural counterparts, but there are some key differences. Natural gemstones are formed over thousands or millions of years and have unique compositions and inclusions that are difficult to replicate artificially. Synthetic gemstones may appear flawless but often lack the depth and lustre of natural gems. To identify a synthetic gemstone, you can look out for a single or cluster of air bubbles, or use a hairdryer to see if the stone warms up. A professional appraisal by a gemologist or gem lab is recommended when dealing with valuable or complex gemstones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Gems are irregularly shaped, making them harder to manufacture |
| Imperfections | Gems have cracks, chips, and other flaws |
| Drilling | Holes in real gems go all the way through |
| Uniformity | Plastic beads are uniformly shaped and sized |
| Heat conduction | Gems are good conductors of heat, so they can accelerate the evaporation of moisture |
| Air bubbles | Gems don't have air bubbles, while glass fakes often do |
| Inclusions | Gems have inclusions like feathers, crystals, and needles |
| Light reflection | Gems reflect light like diamonds; plastic beads respond differently |
| Odor | Gems emit a characteristic smell when heated |
| Color | Gems don't change color when heated |
| Price | Gems are more expensive than plastic beads |
| Feel | Gems and plastic feel differently when tapped on a surface or teeth |
| Density | Gems have higher density and feel heavier |
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What You'll Learn
Feel the stone — plastic and minerals feel different
Differentiating between plastic and minerals can be tricky, especially when shopping online. However, there are a few ways to determine whether a gemstone is real or fake. Here are some tips focused on using your sense of touch:
Feel the stone with your fingers: Plastic and minerals feel different. Minerals will have a unique, gritty texture, whereas plastic beads will feel smooth. A gemstone will also feel warm in your hand if exposed to sunlight, but a fake one made of plastic will feel cool or cold. If you don't have access to sunlight, try placing the bead on a table for a few minutes and then picking it up to feel its temperature.
Listen to the sound: In a quiet place, put your ear close to the stone and listen carefully while jiggling it in your hand. Glass beads, for example, make a sound similar to clinking wine glasses, while plastic beads are much quieter.
Feel for weight: Plastic beads are usually lighter than their natural counterparts. Place several types of beads in your hand and feel the difference in weight, or use a small scale to weigh them.
Feel for chips and imperfections: Real stones often have imperfections such as cracks or chips around the holes, whereas plastic beads are more uniformly shaped and sized.
It's important to note that while these tests can help differentiate between plastic and minerals, they may not be definitive for all types of stones and beads. For more accurate results, you may need specialised equipment or the assistance of a gemologist or jeweller.
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Look for imperfections — real stones have cracks or chips
When it comes to distinguishing between a gemstone and a plastic imitation, one of the key indicators lies in the presence of imperfections. Real stones often exhibit cracks, chips, and other flaws, which are a natural occurrence during their formation. These imperfections are unique to each stone and contribute to their character.
Inclusions, or natural flaws, are another sign that a stone is authentic. Inclusions can take various forms, such as feathers, crystals, or needles, and are a result of the immense pressure during the stone's creation. To identify inclusions, it is recommended to use a bright light source and a jeweler's loupe, which will allow you to see any imperfections within the stone. These inclusions are challenging to replicate artificially, so their presence often indicates a genuine gemstone.
The absence of imperfections, on the other hand, can be a warning sign. Synthetic gemstones are often flawless in appearance, lacking the natural irregularities found in genuine stones. This uniformity in size and shape is a tell-tale sign of plastic or glass imitations, which are mass-produced with perfect symmetry.
While examining the stone for imperfections, it is also essential to consider the drilling. If the stone is not drilled all the way through, it is likely a plastic bead. Genuine gemstones typically have holes that go completely through.
Although these methods can provide some guidance, it is important to remember that only a professional jeweler can determine the authenticity of a gemstone with complete certainty. They have the expertise and specialized equipment to accurately differentiate between real stones and imitations.
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Observe its reaction to heat — real stones don't change colour
Heat treatment is a common process used to lighten, darken, or change the colour of gemstones. This treatment is widely accepted in the gemstone industry and is used by all manner of luxury jewellers. The treatment is usually permanent and is often done to improve the clarity of some gemstones.
When trying to determine whether a gemstone is real or fake, one can observe its reaction to heat. Real stones do not change colour. However, it is worth noting that detecting heat treatment can be difficult, and signs of heating usually appear only when the gem is heated to very high temperatures. For example, rubies and sapphires are heated to temperatures above 1000°C, and sometimes even up to 2000°C. At such high temperatures, the inclusions in these stones, which are other minerals, may melt or explode.
Some gemstones that are commonly heat-treated include citrine, aquamarine, sapphire, ruby, and topaz. Heat treatment can improve the colour of these gemstones to make them more desirable to buyers. For example, heating a ruby can remove its purple hue and produce a pure red colour. Similarly, heating a diamond at high temperatures and pressures can remove or lessen its brownish coloration, turning the diamond colourless.
It is important to note that heat treatment does not make a gemstone less authentic or lower its quality. In fact, unheated gemstones are often more expensive, especially if they are of high quality. This is because the rarity of an unheated gemstone increases its value.
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Check for air bubbles — these indicate a fake
Air bubbles in gemstones are known as inclusions, which are natural flaws within an object. These inclusions give gemstones their unique character. Inclusions can encompass water and air bubbles, which are considered "materials" that were trapped inside the gemstone during its formation. They are often found in pockets of air or water in real gemstones.
Air bubbles can be indicative of fake gemstones. If you clean a gemstone and still see tiny bubbles, this is indicative of air bubble inclusions commonly seen in glass. Round bubbles inside a stone could indicate that it is made of glass. Gas bubbles can assume symmetrical shapes, for example, spinel can have gas bubbles that are bounded by crystal faces and look like negative crystals, but diagnostically they are gas bubbles and can be an identifying feature of synthetic stones.
Some sources suggest that freestanding gas bubbles in a stone indicate that it is synthetic or simulated, with the exception of some type of glass fillers in a natural gem material. However, other sources state that gas bubbles are not found in natural gemstones, so their presence makes identification easy. The term "gas bubble" is used as an identifying diagnostic tool to refer to inclusions that are not naturally part of the gem material and play no part in the formation of the gemstone.
It is important to note that real stones have many imperfections. As nature has its way with these jewels, flaws such as cracks or chips are common.
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Get it professionally assessed
Getting your gemstones professionally assessed can be a great way to ensure you know their true value. This is especially important if you are looking to sell your gemstones or insure them. While you may be able to spot some differences between a gemstone and plastic by yourself, a professional will be able to give you a more accurate assessment.
Firstly, it is important to note that the value of diamonds, gemstones and precious metals is constantly changing, so it is important to get an up-to-date assessment. You can get your gemstones assessed by the GIA/AGI, which is considered the most reputable lab by some. However, there are other trusted labs that can provide assessments, and it is worth shopping around to get a couple of quotes as the cost can vary. The Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America, Inc. provides appraisals and recommends getting a few quotes to find the best price. They also suggest that the more items you bring in at once, the better the overall rate.
If you are unsure about the credentials of the seller or the quality standards followed during the manufacturing process, you can get expert support for a Gem Vendor Assessment. This will help to enhance your business's credibility and ensure compliance with standards.
If you are buying or selling a precious stone, it is recommended to get any stone valued at over $1000 assessed by a professional. This is because the cost of testing is expensive. However, if you are buying loose goods from someone that aren't certified, it is likely that the stones are inexpensive and it may not be worth the cost of getting them assessed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to determine if a gemstone is real or fake. Firstly, breathe on the stone; if it takes longer than 2-3 seconds to clear up, it is likely a fake made of glass. Secondly, observe the way the stone reflects light; plastic beads will respond differently to diamonds or other genuine gemstones. Thirdly, look out for flaws; due to the immense pressure under which they are created, most gemstones tend to feature different inclusions like feathers, crystals and needles.
If you own or have access to a very sensitive scale, you can measure its specific gravity and cross-reference the number on an SG constant sheet. You can also observe the gemstone's physical properties, such as its density, weight, hue, saturation, transparency, luster, and fire. However, these tests are best performed by experienced professionals.
If the gemstone has a uniform shape and size, it is likely a fake, as real stones tend to be more irregularly shaped. Another sign is if the gemstone has a chemical or unpleasant odour when heated, as a real stone will not change colour when heated.
