Amethyst is a popular gemstone known for its striking violet hue and mystical properties. The increasing demand for this precious stone. With its popularity comes the risk of fake or synthetic stones being sold as genuine amethyst. This can be frustrating for buyers who want to ensure they are getting what they paid for. Fortunately, there are several ways to tell if an amethyst is real or not. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to tell if Amethyst is Real and guide you through some simple tests that you can do at home to ensure that your amethyst purchase is genuine.
Color
One way to tell if an amethyst is real is by looking at its color. Natural amethysts have a rich, saturated color with no visible zoning or banding. Real one tends to have a deep and rich purple color that looks almost regal in nature. If the shade of purple looks too bright or has an uneven distribution, then it might not be real. If the gemstone appears too pale or cleaned out, it may be a fake or treated stone. Natural one often has small inclusions or flaws within them, which can indicate their authenticity.
Injected dyes
One common method of enhancement is injecting dyes into the stone to intensify its hue. The process of dyeing amethyst involves filling fractures or cavities with a colored substance to create a more uniform appearance. While this may seem harmless, it alters the chemical composition of the gemstone and diminishes its natural beauty.
To determine if an amethyst has been dyed, you need to inspect it carefully under proper lighting conditions. If the stone appears too dark or saturated compared to other amethysts you’ve seen, there’s a high chance that it has been treated with dye.
Clarity
Another method is the clarity and causes bubbles beneath the surface and parts of discoloration. Amethyst is the occurrence of discoloration or bubbles is quite rare as its quartz. You can use a magnifying glass to check what sits below the surface. If bubbles are seen, it indicates it isn’t quartz and certainly not an Amethyst. Real crystals such as Amethysts are or clear to the eye and do not appear as a crystal. Holding Amethyst up to the light lets you glance right through it and see no discoloration or bubbles .
Cut Variety
Amethyst is easy to cut, so it’s not uncommon to find amethyst jewelry in a wide-variety of shapes and sizes. You may find genuine amethyst cut into round shapes, pear shapes, squares, hearts, and so on. As it cuts easily, authentic amethyst should be smooth and polished upon purchase. If the amethyst in question is cut into a round shape, look for uneven distribution of color. If there seems to be a lot of color variation, this means the stone is more likely to be authentic. Jewelers frequently cut discolored amethyst into a round shape as this makes variations slightly less noticeable.
Specific Gravity Test
One way to test the authenticity of an amethyst is through a specific gravity test. The specific gravity test measures the density of a mineral specimen compared to the density of water. To perform this test on an amethyst, you need a scale, a container filled with water, and some basic math skills.
- First, weigh the amethyst in air and record its weight.
- Then weigh it again while fully submerged in water and record that weight as well.
- Using these two measurements, you can calculate the specific gravity by dividing the weight in air by the difference between its weight in air and weight underwater.
A pure Amethyst has a gravity number of about 2.65, the test would measure exactly that.
Hardness
Amethyst belongs to the mineral quartz family and has a Mohs hardness rating of 7 out of 10 – making it quite durable for daily wear. Its varying shades of purple are caused by the presence of iron within the crystal structure. It measures 7, which is pretty good for a hard gemstone. A score below seven on the Mohs hardness scale doesn’t cause any damage to a pure Amethyst stone. You may use your fingernail to scratch the surface of the Amethyst and see if it leaves any mark. You may even use a knife or a blade, but most jewelers won’t dig with these.
Origin
The origin of amethyst can be traced back to volcanic activity millions of years ago. It forms in igneous rocks like granite or basalt and is often found in geodes or clusters within these rocks. It gets its distinct purple color from trace amounts of iron in its crystal lattice structure. The intensity of the color can vary depending on the amount of iron present.
In ancient times, it was highly valued by many cultures for its supposed healing properties and ability to ward off evil spirits. Today, it is still highly regarded as a gemstone with healing properties. It’s believed to alleviate stress, balance emotions, and promote spiritual growth.
Price
The price of amethyst varies depending on several factors such as size, clarity, cut, and origin. Larger stones with excellent clarity and vibrant hues are more expensive than smaller ones with visible inclusions. Even smaller pieces can have impressive colors that make them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. On average, the price of any Amethyst wouldn’t be beyond $20 from any reputable jeweler.
Conclusion
Determining whether an Amethyst is Real or fake requires a keen eye and some basic knowledge of the gemstone. Look for telltale signs such as color, clarity, and inclusions to identify genuine amethysts. If you’re still unsure, consider seeking out professional help from a gemologist or reliable jeweler. By being cautious and informed, you can ensure that you’re getting the real deal when it comes to this beautiful gemstone.
FAQs
· Why is amethyst lucky?
Amethyst. A royal purple gemstone, amethyst symbolizes wealth, healing, abundance and spirituality. Amethyst is connected to both the third eye chakra and the crown chakra, which means that it can facilitate greater spiritual understanding.
· What color amethyst is best?
The finest amethyst color is a strong reddish purple or purple with no visible color zoning. Dealers prefer strongly saturated reddish purple to dark purple, as long as the stone is not so dark that it reduces brightness. If the color is too dark, an amethyst might look black under dim lighting conditions.
· What does fake amethyst look like?
An Amethyst gem that is one solid color is most likely fake. Real Amethyst stones will have color zoning including shades of white and blue along with purple. A real Amethyst gem won’t have any bubbles but may have threads and impurities beneath the surface.