How to Tell Genuine Turquoise Stones From Fakes
- 1). Observe the color of the stone. If the turquoise is in bead form, check the inside. If the inside is white, then you have a fake. Pay special attention if the internal color is darker than usual or it has many deep-colored inclusions.
- 2). Look at the stone under a jeweler's loupe, specifically at the inclusions on the stone. If the inclusions are much darker than the rest of the stone, then it is most likely dyed magnesite.
- 3). Look through the loupe for air bubbles or small fractures. Air bubbles indicate that the object is made of glass. Small fractures may also indicate synthetic or glass imitation turquoise.
- 4). Examine the stone for a grid pattern. If you see a grid pattern, it may be a piece of amazonite.
- 5). Look at the stone through the Chelsea color filter. If the color appears to be slightly pink under the filter, suspect that the stone is actually variscite. If the color looks pinkish-red, then suspect a piece of dyed howlite.
- 6). Touch a hot electric needle to the stone. If the stone is scathed or emits an acrid smell, you have a replica, likely one made of plastic.
- 7). Wipe an acetone swab across the surface of the stone, then examine the swabbed spot with the loupe. If the stone's surface appearance has changed, it has been chemically treated or is a replica.