Don't Be Scammed - How to Tell Real Turquoise From Fake Stone - (stabilized vs reconstituted)

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  • Опубліковано 18 гру 2021
  • This video is a thorough explanation with cracking of numerous samples to demonstrate what I mean. Please like and subscribe if you have found this video to be useful. I will try to make more videos and do more tests.
    There is a lot of fake turquoise out there because it is a popular stone for jewelry making, but many of the mines around the world have been depleted. Most of the fake turquoise is made with howlite, a chalky white borate mineral that is found in sedimentary rocks. While howlite and dyed howlite are popular in jewelry with healing energy, it is not good if you think you are buying genuine turquoise but it is dyed howlite.
    Often the howlite is dyed a bright blue. As soon as you crack it open, you will see a white interior with a blue ring on the outside. Howlite is also softer than turquoise and can be scratched more easily. However, there are some factories that might crush the howlite, apply dye and compress it back into a solid blue stone. They would then apply brown veins onto it. This is exactly what happened when I cracked a dyed howlite bead open - you can see the brown dye that permeated inside the drill hole.
    Another fake I opened up in the video is one that is far harder; it was a clay bead with a baked on hard porcelain shell that had blue on top of it. The tell tale sign was the faded blue, it was lighter on certain surfaces.
    In summary, the best way to tell if it is fake is to break the bead open. Secondary is scratching or seeing dyes inside the hole or spotting the colour fades. The price is also a good tell - if it is too good to be true, it probably is. Lastly, go with a trusted source. If this is not possible, find one that has a money back guarantee. Crack some of the pieces once you've purchased them and if they're fake, get your money back.
    Stabilized vs Reconstituted
    Most of the turquoise is too soft to be cut and polished - they crumble too easily. The solution is stabilizing the stone. In less expensive stones, they do this by adding resin/epoxy, along with pressure, which fills the cracks and weak points, and adds a layer of support. Sometimes, colour is added, but honest suppliers would label that product as colour enhanced. Better quality turquoise would be stabilized with the Zachery Process, invented by James Zachery in 1980, a trade secret process in which no pressure or additives are applied. Only chemical analysis can distinguish Zachery process treated and natural untreated turquoise.
    Stabilizing happens to over 80% of the turquoise that is in jewelry on the market place. Likelihood is that your non-antique turquoise is stabilized. This is different from reconstituted turquoise, which takes bits of turquoise, usually left over from other processing, and combines it with epoxy and then compressed it into a new solid block to be further cut for jewelry making. Sometimes larger bits are ground up and dye is added. This is not unlike quartz counters, which have all the properties of the original stone, except that it is engineered. Generally reconstituted turquoise is less expensive than stabilized turquoise.
    About us:
    Stones And Findings is a wholesaler of premium jewelry components. We have created this video to share our passion for jewelry and because we believe knowledge should be shared freely.
    You can shop our extensive collection online at wholesale prices by first creating an account (you do not need a business license). You will get instant access to prices and shopping cart at the bottom of this page: stonesandfindings.com/my-acco...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 171

  • @mohammedkhalidshariff1487
    @mohammedkhalidshariff1487 Рік тому +38

    All I learned is if u want to know if it’s real, just break it. If it’s fake throw it and if it’s real u can’t use it any more because it’s broken 😅

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +8

      well, not exactly true :) You can still use it even if broken - put it in resign, or put it back with gold infused epoxy like the Japanese do with pottery. I was thinking more of a strand and you sacrifice one bead for peace of mind. And yeah, it is cathartic to smash into a bead. Film the process!

    • @Happycat8385
      @Happycat8385 Рік тому +3

      I found the video insightful :)

    • @tanm9260
      @tanm9260 10 місяців тому +3

      Hi so what should it look like inside once broken if its real? This would help me a lot thanks

    • @kernkraft136
      @kernkraft136 7 місяців тому +6

      You do not have to break rocks to id them. For the love of god! Just use aceton or an aceton bath and if it is painted it comes right off. Would be a shame if it is real and it is broken.😅

    • @nataliesharif2167
      @nataliesharif2167 7 місяців тому +2

      Is there no way to tell real from fake without destroying it?

  • @samsen3965
    @samsen3965 Рік тому +7

    Very informative BUT... Someone, please take that hammer out of this lady's hand! My heart is broken into pieces!
    Liked and Subscribed.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +6

      LOL!!! Your comment has made my afternoon. I was heartbroken, too. My colleagues were cringing when they saw me walking around feverishly with a hammer and the strand. However, the broken stones, that were real, I gave to one of my colleagues. She's crushing it and putting it into her resin pendants. Nothing goes to waste here, rest assured!

  • @sarahkalaitzidis2822
    @sarahkalaitzidis2822 2 роки тому +7

    I love how u show the fake turquoise vs real turquoise

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you! I love turquoise and there is a lot of fake out there.

  • @belligirl21
    @belligirl21 11 місяців тому +3

    Stones don’t possess any power, but rather possess natural beauty created by God. Very informative video, thank you for making it.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  11 місяців тому

      Well said. Thank you for watching!

    • @phoenixkb134
      @phoenixkb134 10 місяців тому +2

      They do indeed possess energetic, vibrational power. Do your research.

  • @agela222
    @agela222 Рік тому +2

    Thanks I learned a lot. Just starting to dabble in jewelry making, oh wow, what am I getting into? So much to discover; going to be a good journey.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      Agreed - it is going to be a good journey!! It is a wonderful creative outlet that will provide you with wonderfully meaningful gifts to give, and perhaps evolve into a fantastic way to make a living. Good luck and have lots of fun. THanks for watching!

  • @sunflowerbaby1853
    @sunflowerbaby1853 2 роки тому +21

    Thank you. This was a really good video. It pained me every time you broke a nugget, but I learned a lot.

    • @mariely2534
      @mariely2534 2 роки тому +1

      Me too 😅

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому +4

      You're welcome. Lol- it pained me, too!!! The one with the brown in it was rather unexpected. I thought it would have been howlite, but it was completely different!

    • @jerodpivin9426
      @jerodpivin9426 2 роки тому +2

      I cringed each time but appreciate that she actually took the time to show what it looks like inside. I buy a lot of rough stones so this was extremely helpful

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      @@jerodpivin9426 thanks for the encouragement, Jerod. Glad to read the appreciation!!

  • @erinbuchanan6489
    @erinbuchanan6489 10 місяців тому

    Thank you! That was great information! 💕🙏💕

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  10 місяців тому

      You are so welcome! Thank you for watching, Erin.

  • @mightygoodmagic
    @mightygoodmagic 5 днів тому

    Great video! Thanks... you covered so much.

  • @user-mf4zo9ze8j
    @user-mf4zo9ze8j 5 місяців тому +1

    I have some small 2-3mm cabs that are said to be vintage sleeping beauty, as I was working with one I chipped it and noticed the inside was the same color as the outside. The break looks shiny almost like as if I chipped glass. I was wondering about the real turquoise that broke in your video and if it seems to break similar to glass? Is there a test I can do to see if it is glass or not?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  5 місяців тому +1

      I have smashed fake black onyx (glass) and it had semi-circle lines. The turquoise that chipped did not have those semi-circular lines, but otherwise did look a lot like chipped glass/porcelain. However, it was not shiny like glass, more matte, like fired clay

  • @victoryoneable
    @victoryoneable Рік тому +2

    There are simple, non-destructive tests that you can use to distinguish turquoise from dyed or stabilized or imitations. A hot needle point will melt the plastic stabiliser. Acetone (nail polish remover) can be rubbed on a section of the stone to reveal whether it has been dyed.
    What is the point of identifying that a stone is, indeed, turquoise when the stone has been destroyed?

    • @MaliceMiles
      @MaliceMiles Рік тому +1

      Thank you

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  11 місяців тому +2

      You're quite right - there is no point in destroying something in order to see if it real or not because you've effectively rendered it worthless. I would not advise anyone to do this at home. I just did it because I am curious about what the inside looks like. To your point, the two methods you've mentioned can test for certain fakes, but I've come across many where those methods would not work. In the video, I had a strong feeling that some of them were fake, but neither of those two methods worked because it was ceramic that was fired.

  • @lynnl6965
    @lynnl6965 Рік тому +2

    I have jewellery that looks like turquoise. I didn't buy them myself, so I'm not sure if they're real or not. There are goldish crack lines and in some areas, they look kind of smudged and in some places look like the gold pooled at the corner of some cracks. I did the crack test and the piece simply wouldn't break. The piece (about 1" long by 1/2" wide) looks like 2 sides were glued together because there's a crack line along some of the edges. The fingernail test glosses over some cracks but does feel some of the cracks. So I'm feeling pretty certain that the pieces are not turquoise, but would like your opinion on that as well as what on earth they can be made of if they wouldn't break in the smash test. Thanks. Very good video.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +4

      It sounds like your suspicions are correct. Many add links and gold and add cracks on purpose by adding a lot of water to clay so that cracks appear after the drying process. I always find this interesting because they've gone through a lot of trouble and it is pretty. Perhaps they would just market it as pottery beads, it would be well received.

  • @verdabehner8963
    @verdabehner8963 Рік тому +2

    So I have question. because turquoise is so soft when it comes to nuggets, how are they drilled without breaking, which leads to another question is it safe to assume that a larger nugget with a glossy appearance has been stabilized. Is it possible to have nuggets, cabs in a complete raw form made into jewelry ?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +1

      Good questions. There is a huge amount of breakage in the drilling process and they reuse the bits in making reconstituted pieces. I have never tried drilling turquoise myself, but I would be curious how difficult it would be. I notice a lot of breakage is along the natural inclusions veining.
      There are types that are harder, like the all blue sleeping beauty. Natural, glossy polish without coating is rare and very expensive. On the marketplace, yes, it is pretty safe to assume that if it is glossy and coated, most likely it has been stabilized.

    • @jzak5723
      @jzak5723 10 місяців тому

      Maybe they drill it after being stabilized rather than before?

  • @gagiludzky7365
    @gagiludzky7365 Рік тому +1

    If you rub an old nickel on turquoise will it leave a nickel colored streak? I had read it will scratch the nickel not the stone. That was difficult to discern.
    Some pieces I believe are real did leave a streak while others did not. Any opinion on this subject as you have known turquoise that you could test? Thanks for the video.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +1

      I have never heard of this and it seems rather counter-intuitive. However, I am always willing to try it out for curiosity sake. I'll make a note to try this because I have turquoise that I know is real.

  • @canadiantraveller281
    @canadiantraveller281 8 місяців тому

    So was the first one you hammered Howlite ? The one that was blue in the middle and was injected with the brown ? I actually smashed 5 different gems off some bracelets i got, and found EXACTLY the same as your first one.....

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  8 місяців тому +2

      Yes, that's howlite (which is naturally white with brownish lines). They applied a surface blue dye. It's common.

  • @32inzane
    @32inzane 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for cracking that bead open “ for the sake of this video” even though it pained you …. Now you and we all know how easy it is to buy a Fugazi Stone. It makes me so sad to think how easy it is to be fooled with such beautiful stones. It seems we live in a world where every time I turn around I’m finding out the world around me is fake. Thank you for this video and all your videos. Im kind of happy ( sad) that you to were surprised that when you crack it open, it was Clay so even you to can be fooled so it makes me feel alittle better. Thanks again

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому

      Thank you for this note - yes, everyone can be cheated. You read about Sotheby's art auctions where experts who authenticated paintings have all been scammed and the only way they concluded that it was a forgery is the forger told them what painting is underneath. They scanned it, and sure enough!
      It happens. I am not embarrassed when I have been conned; I will own up to my mistake and give refunds. However, you can be sure that I learn from my mistakes.

  • @lorifrench1331
    @lorifrench1331 2 роки тому +1

    That seems so satisfying! Also, very helpful!

  • @pjstar2009
    @pjstar2009 Рік тому +1

    I think woodworkers use the pieces that get broken like inlay. It's beautiful. Would be able to donate or sell those bits to a woodworker?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  11 місяців тому +2

      It's a great idea! I donate bits to friends and staff for crafting - one does resin and another does small furniture inlays. Pretty much everything gets recycled.

  • @purnimasiddapur
    @purnimasiddapur 7 місяців тому

    Is it good to wear turquoise ring if the stone has tiny 2 pin holes on it[ like pin points]. Please let me know.I want tobe sure before buying it.Hope you help me....And it is hard to see you smashing beautiful turquoises to give us helpful information at your cost. Thank you so much.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  7 місяців тому

      I do enjoy seeing the insides of things, so smashing was really what I wanted to do for a long time - LOL. Turquoise often has fracture points around the veins. The problem with that is that it will likely shatter/break along the vein, especially if there is already a pin hole there. Most companies will stabilize it and you can certainly coat it with lacquer or resin if the ring is not too expensive and you like the look of it. I hope this helps.

  • @tanm9260
    @tanm9260 10 місяців тому

    Hi so what should it look like inside once broken if its real? This would help me a lot thanks

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  10 місяців тому

      the inside should look like the outside. I smashed things to show some of the good fakes that don't work with the hot needle method. A lot of people got upset that I destroyed things and it defeats the purpose, but I smashed some so that thousands of people can see and don't have to smash their things. Porcelain beads have been made to look a lot like the real thing.

  • @teatime9649
    @teatime9649 Рік тому +1

    I bought some earrings recently from a man who makes jewelry. I did the acetone test and the hot needle. No blue came off, and the needle did not go through or scratch the gem. Is it real? They were originally $40.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +3

      Acetone and hot needle test would be able to identify resin. However, if it is baked blue, you can't tell with those tests. $40 is reasonable for real turquoise. It's hard to know without destroying the stone :) so I would say to wear them as real and enjoy!

    • @teatime9649
      @teatime9649 Рік тому +1

      @@stonesandfindings awesome, thank you❤️

  • @lisac.2438
    @lisac.2438 8 місяців тому

    I feel your pain bc I love turqouise too. Thank you for breaking the poor pieces for us so that we may learn. I brought out my pieces and I'm thinking they may not be real. 😥 They were gifted to me so I will not be hammering mine.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  8 місяців тому +2

      LOL - yes, don't hammer them! Also, it really doesn't matter if they're real or not when they're a gift - it came from the heart and, if it is a pretty piece, wear it as art. THanks for sharing.

  • @_.skyyblue._
    @_.skyyblue._ Рік тому

    I rubbed mine with acetone, is that a good way to test? Nothing but dirt came off

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      acetone would be able to get rid of topical glazes and maybe some dyes, but if it has been fired like ceramic, you will not be able to see a difference.

    • @_.skyyblue._
      @_.skyyblue._ Рік тому

      @@stonesandfindings ty!

  • @seiko9361
    @seiko9361 20 днів тому

    Hi if i show you a turquoise can you tell if they are stablizied or natural ?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  20 днів тому

      Almost all turquoise is stabilized; it is a rather fragile stone. If you see that it is very shiny, it is certain that it has been stabilized.

    • @seiko9361
      @seiko9361 20 днів тому

      @@stonesandfindings ok thanks for guidance , but mine also have pyrite inclusions , is it still stablized ?

  • @jasonsgems3369
    @jasonsgems3369 Рік тому +6

    Thanks for this - it's a great video and should have more likes.
    I was physically flinching each and every time you smashed the turquoise, shame but thanks for showing that. You mustn't have heard me shouting at the screen "Don't Do It"
    I do have a stack of beads, nuggets and dohnuts from uncertain provenances that I'm sure are Howlite (I did buy them certain that they were howlite) so I may get the hammer out to one or two of them. The nuggets I may grind/saw through so that I can still use them as cabs if they don't disintegrate.
    The big question I have left is Buffalo Turquoise - is it real turquoise and how is it different to magnesite or howlite?:

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +2

      LOL - thank you for watching and thanks for this note. Truth be told, even though it pained me, it was also thrilling to smash things. I really enjoyed filming this. I'm looking around to see what else I can smash without costing too much!

    • @19bishop56
      @19bishop56 Рік тому

      @@stonesandfindings I’m also interested in knowing what Buffalo Turquoise is too. Loved this video, though I was cringing along everyone else!

    • @patrafferty3910
      @patrafferty3910 6 місяців тому

      Well ready for a quick lesson in white Buffalo? White Buffalo was first discovered on a otteson family turquoise claim they started selling it on the market since the ottesons are famous tor their quality turquoise the dealers started calling it white Buffalo turquoise.
      In fact the white Buffalo is neither turquoise or howlite
      It is a combination of dolomite argonite and chert.
      The ottesons described
      It at opalized calcite dolomite and chert.
      Howlite is calcium borosilicate
      Magnisite is a totally different mineral combination that resembles them both.
      Magnisite is actually also known as Wildhorse
      There is a very light version of turquoise known as sacred white Buffalo turquoise this comes from the godber Burnham claim on the Shoshone reservation.
      It cracks me up to see al the misinformation on the internet about this beautiful stone.
      If you want the truth about this stones history contact Donna otteson at silver state turquoise in Tonopah Nevada she is the owner of the original claim . And yes people sell phony white Buffalo
      Al over the internet
      Hope this helps

  • @mrs210
    @mrs210 Рік тому

    Coral, turquoise and coral ..can be tested with a hot needle, plastic melts, same for pearl

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      yes, plastic melts with hot needle. Also plastic is does not feel as cool to the touch. Glass pearls and ceramic turquoise cannot be tested with a hot needle, though :(

  • @mannysaabedra4342
    @mannysaabedra4342 Рік тому

    I cleaned my turquoise cuff with hot water and it turned lighter blue can I fix it ?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      That means it was dyed, and not a good dye. You can paint over it, but there's nothing much you can do. Sorry.

  • @theartisancompany
    @theartisancompany 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for sharing.

  • @jayneelinor
    @jayneelinor 7 місяців тому

    So if I want to know if my jewllery is genuinem I need to wreck it with a hammner......hmmm.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  7 місяців тому

      LOL - that's not what I am proposing. Perhaps go to a gemologist. But I love smashing things up to see the inside. It's thrilling and other people are also curious.

  • @zaqxoable
    @zaqxoable 4 місяці тому

    You could of just rubbed it with acetone, and see if the colour disappears. Not all turquoise are the same colour on the surface. Some of them turn greenish-brown due to heat damage.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  4 місяці тому

      Acetone works for any epoxy/plastic type of fake. It doesn't work on the ceramic fakes :(.

    • @zaqxoable
      @zaqxoable 4 місяці тому

      Cool thanks i'd just go to a gemologist in that case

  • @vimsyvrajan2387
    @vimsyvrajan2387 Рік тому

    Does real turquoise beads feel cold on touch?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +1

      It doesn't feel cold to the like quartz - this is because of its different chemical makeup

  • @elnuevodesordenmundial1505
    @elnuevodesordenmundial1505 Рік тому

    Thanx.. this video really cost you since you smashed a few finds..🤗

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +1

      You're welcome. It sometimes breaks my heart to smash things, but also oddly therapeutic!

  • @KristinaAthena
    @KristinaAthena Рік тому +1

    Great information but slightly painful to watch. Thank you for doing this.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      LOL- it probably hurt me more to smash my beloved turquoise than it hurt you to watch it. However, I really wanted to see if they were real or fake.

    • @KristinaAthena
      @KristinaAthena Рік тому

      @@stonesandfindings Can you believe I bought some pieces from an old time jeweler and one of the drilled pieces was broken so . . . I did it! I smashed the broken piece to test what I learned from your video. I saved the itty bitty smashed pieces. Same color throughout and broke to bits of the fractures.

  • @Emily-nl6tf
    @Emily-nl6tf Рік тому +2

    Can we tell without smashing them?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      There are some telltale signs, like poor or faded colouring. Reconstituted crack lines that look very much like a mosaic. However, it is hard to be certain as paints and polymers have come a long way!

  • @mikemorgan1560
    @mikemorgan1560 3 місяці тому +1

    I just got kicked out of a jewelry store while shopping for a turquoise necklace for my wife…

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  3 місяці тому

      LOL!!! Just lucky they kicked you out instead of pointing at their store sign "You smash you buy"

  • @larrymoremckenzie3029
    @larrymoremckenzie3029 2 роки тому +1

    Whatever is pleasing to your eye is real!

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому +4

      I believe whatever is pleasing to the eye is VALUABLE. I would not go so far as to say it is real, especially not if you're re-selling it. I personally like to know the true history of the piece and I value authenticity for authenticity sake. I like died howlite, but I prefer to know it is died howlite that I am loving, and not be sold something else. That said, I agree mostly with what you wrote.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      @@kendrarayan7941 I agree, it hurts! So, I did it for you to show 😃

  • @kernkraft136
    @kernkraft136 7 місяців тому +1

    You do not have to break rocks to id them. For the love of god! Just use aceton or an aceton bath and if it is painted it comes right off. Would be a shame if it is real and it is broken.😅

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  7 місяців тому

      LOL - it's just satisfying to smash things. Thanks for your tip - acetone method would work only for certain dyes and resin. If they're fired porcelain, then acetone or hot needle methods would not work.

  • @bintyhashimi239
    @bintyhashimi239 6 місяців тому

    Do u have website where we can buy

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  6 місяців тому

      Yes, it is www.StonesAndFindings.com - you have to register an account with a postal address to see prices and get postage quotes. Thanks.

  • @kavyaphophalia4346
    @kavyaphophalia4346 2 місяці тому

    What about
    1. Oyster turquoise
    2. Natural turquoise stablisised with copper.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому

      Sorry I have never heard of stabilizing with copper.

  • @anonymoustruth5950
    @anonymoustruth5950 Рік тому +3

    What if you don’t want to destroy your piece! 😂

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +1

      I know, right!? Other than the obvious fakes, it's hard.

    • @MaliceMiles
      @MaliceMiles Рік тому

      Use acetone on a qtip. A small spot on the back or in a place less likely to show. If dye comes off you know.

  • @mariely2534
    @mariely2534 2 роки тому +2

    Thanks!! I love real turquoise. It's really beautiful stone. 😍

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому

      It really is! I love the colour and pattern - you can mix with so many other stones and metals!

  • @barbaraarsenault1192
    @barbaraarsenault1192 2 місяці тому

    What is crazed turquoise?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому +1

      It sounds like it is synthetic turquoise. I've seen names like fusion turquoise, speckled turquoise, mosaic turquoise...which are essentially chips and turquoise dust, leftover from cutting, placed in resin and formed in moulds.

    • @barbaraarsenault1192
      @barbaraarsenault1192 2 місяці тому

      Stonesandfindings thank you for the answer.

  • @deniset16
    @deniset16 3 місяці тому

    Seriously, the only way to tell if my turquoise is real is to break it?!
    I'm Disappointed.
    Thank you for the video explaining that.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  3 місяці тому

      I'm sure there are other ways - sorry you're disappointed. I just wanted to demonstrate that the hot needle method is not accurate. Gemologists have ways of testing - temperature, frequency.... it's easy to spot the cheap fakes, much harder to determine definitively

  • @shakostarsun
    @shakostarsun 7 місяців тому

    Wow someone probably made a fortune selling dirt clay beads painted turquoise.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  7 місяців тому

      Sigh - so it seems. However, I believe that's just the short game. Cheats eventually get found out and called out. That's why I like public reviews and the sharing of knowledge.

  • @peterfrancis3865
    @peterfrancis3865 7 місяців тому

    As original has iron and copper than use a magnet and if it does not stick it is fake ; maybe it will work ore not

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  7 місяців тому

      not all turquoise has any iron in it. Most do not. So, this would not work.

  • @ericbabcock846
    @ericbabcock846 Місяць тому

    More turquoise is stabilized than you can tell even the old stuff was stabilized w animal fat by American natives and crude oil tar by chinese now there's potasium soaked coming outa AZ.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Місяць тому

      this is good to know. I never knew the American natives stabilized with animal fat. I will have to see some of the antique pieces, and I would love to see what happens just a millimetre beneath the surface of turquoise treated in animal fat.

  • @jzak5723
    @jzak5723 10 місяців тому +1

    I just started buying turquoise right from the Kingman mine, they sell all kinds of nice stuff on Etsy, nuggets, cabs, beads, most of it is stabilized of course, but they do have a little natural turquoise too. I wouldn't trust buying it any other way than directly from them unless you are a professional at recognizing what to look for in turquoise, which most people are not. I'm just buying it because turquoise is my favorite gemstone, and also for investment, since prices for American turquoise will always be climbing.

    • @verdabehner8963
      @verdabehner8963 10 місяців тому +1

      My dad worked in the Morenci mine in the 50/60's way before turquoise became so popular. Workers were allowed to pick up pieces if they saw a piece. Obviously the didnt want the workers spending their time just searching and digging . So I have a small collection of good size rocks 10' and up and offe ans full of smaller pieces

    • @jzak5723
      @jzak5723 10 місяців тому +1

      @@verdabehner8963
      That's cool! I would buy one small piece of rough rock from you if you wanted to sell any, but you probably don't.

  • @NPCOasis
    @NPCOasis 2 місяці тому +1

    Every single bit of turquoise used in jewelry has to be stabilized...Natural turquoise is very porous and will turn pale white once exposed to the air..

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому

      I wonder how they stabilized it in ancient times - the pieces found in tombs.

    • @NPCOasis
      @NPCOasis 2 місяці тому +1

      they prob just soaked them in some type of plant resin or shelac, plus all of those pieces were ceremonial and placed into a hermetically sealed tomb. All of the ancient turquoise is oxidized pale even after being sealed for thousands of years....@@stonesandfindings

    • @NPCOasis
      @NPCOasis 2 місяці тому +1

      the vast majority like 99% that was thought to be turquoise is actually other similar looking rocks@@stonesandfindings

  • @Goople77
    @Goople77 8 місяців тому

    Is Mexican Turquoise Turquoise? Or it’s maybe other things like African turquoise

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  8 місяців тому +1

      Mexican turquoise is very similar to American turquoise of southwest. The Baja region is just an extension south of California. It is very blue, with veining, whereas African turquoise is very different - green and black.
      Does anyone in the community know for certain if African turquoise is actually turquoise??

    • @beckyschmidt5577
      @beckyschmidt5577 6 місяців тому

      The video she states that African turquoise is Jasper.

    • @Goople77
      @Goople77 6 місяців тому

      @@beckyschmidt5577thanks, I wondered about Mexican turquoise not African turquoise:)

  • @juliepan476
    @juliepan476 2 роки тому

    thank you for the great video to idantify real and fake turquoise.(for to sake of the vedio…^v^)

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому

      thanks for watching! Glad you like it

    • @juliepan476
      @juliepan476 2 роки тому

      @@stonesandfindings Youre welcome.I bought a “blue copper turquoise” bracelet online labled geneous gemstone.is “blue cooper turquoise”real、fake or enhanceded one?

  • @jamesdalton3082
    @jamesdalton3082 5 місяців тому

    Any way to tell if it's real turquoise WITHOUT destroying it? Don't think the vendor at the art market will let me smash one of the beads with a hammer.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  5 місяців тому

      LOL - your comment made me smile. Tell the vendor they should smash one of their own beads and place on display, like they do at some supermarkets to show how beautifully ripened the melons are. There isn't a way to tell for sure if it is real, only spotting easy fakes. People say hot needle - that's only if made of wax/resin (doesn't work with ceramnic or baked clay fakes).....

  • @jojofarley4511
    @jojofarley4511 11 місяців тому +1

    Good info but cant really see the stones, get closer to camera maybe?

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  11 місяців тому

      Hi - I will note that for the future. It's a good idea and I should take my time and do close ups. Thanks for the suggestion

  • @bornHimalayan
    @bornHimalayan 9 днів тому

    You broke a beautiful blue one...

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  9 днів тому +1

      I know, I had to and it pained me. At the same time, I really did want to see what's inside.

    • @bornHimalayan
      @bornHimalayan 9 днів тому

      @@stonesandfindings you could really tell that it is an authentic one. However you gave a great deal of knowledge to the viewers.

  • @VicToria-sd1dn
    @VicToria-sd1dn 6 місяців тому

    The painful part is we are going to leave all the precious stones and metals behind when we exit the planet. They don't belong to us and never will. I used to collect gold which is not a bad thing. But I stopped because the quest to collect more was endless.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  6 місяців тому

      Beautifully written - in the end, none of it belongs to us. The most important thing to remember, while we are here, is that we need to enjoy and appreciate the beauty that is around us. I have large collections of rocks, pearls and tools. I don't collect for collection sake, but to appreciate their beauty and their purpose. I enjoy every minute of seeing them, thinking about their possibilities and being grateful that I can hold such beauty while I am on earth.

    • @VicToria-sd1dn
      @VicToria-sd1dn 6 місяців тому

      @@stonesandfindings Well said 👍🏽

  • @pdxeddie1111
    @pdxeddie1111 6 місяців тому

    Turquoise is pretty rare so most times it's not the real thing

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  6 місяців тому

      that is true - there are lots of fakes out there now as the mines dry up. However, you can still find antiques and the rare hoarder's stash :)

  • @loisruthstrom8143
    @loisruthstrom8143 9 місяців тому +1

    There are much better ways to tell real from fake WITHOUT breaking it!!! Swab a little acetone or nail polish remover on the stone to see if dye comes off on the swab. If not, it's not dyed. Otherwise, learn by studying and know the sellers.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  9 місяців тому +2

      lol - agreed. Smashing is not a cost effective method, but I was curious to see what is on the inside. Swabbing or using a hot pin really doesn't work when it is porcelain, as I had shown. The best method is still to purchase from a trusted source.

    • @lisaellis9136
      @lisaellis9136 4 місяці тому

      @@stonesandfindings Swabbing with acetone wont work on acrylic resin either.

  • @cookiekay9580
    @cookiekay9580 2 роки тому +1

    Umm some persian turquoise was pretty light like that. And I kno egyptian turquoise original was treated it was high quality hard stuff. I think they do coat what's mined over there now but it wasn't also that way. If it's chalky it doesn't matter what mine it's from... it's low quality. I thought the green green came more from Mexico and China

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 роки тому

      Thanks for sharing this. Persian turquoise is beautiful and bright blue. However, it has become rare and very expensive. Yes, when it's chalky, it's low quality. Yellowish turquoise is mined not just in China, there are many countries that have those.

    • @vickipeck2323
      @vickipeck2323 11 місяців тому +1

      Green turquoises... Manassas, Damale, Royston....Emerald Mountain.

  • @NPCOasis
    @NPCOasis 2 місяці тому

    No rock has healing properties its all in the mind... ROFL

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому

      I don't disagree; I think most things are mental. Maybe it's even just a reminder - much like religion, but I digress.

  • @RuminatingWizard
    @RuminatingWizard 4 місяці тому

    Totally lost me with the "magical healing" properties. You can keep your 4 leaf clovers also. 🙄

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  4 місяці тому

      that's fair, LOL

    • @zaqxoable
      @zaqxoable 4 місяці тому

      Haha no one asked if you were lost with the healing properties. You're entitled to your own beliefs just don't deny what is unproven.

  • @CC-uq4hu
    @CC-uq4hu 2 місяці тому

    Just smash test lmao

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  2 місяці тому

      LOL - but please purchase the piece before doing this ;)

  • @ericbabcock846
    @ericbabcock846 Місяць тому

    With no close ups we really can't see what your showing us then pre write what your gonna say & read it co responding with examples where's the Chinese or Tibetan vs American vs Persian. Most turquoise is stabilized 1/3 is gem quality from silica content you never mentioned...EB

  • @angelavestlee1
    @angelavestlee1 Рік тому

    has to be a better way to tell if it is real turquoise you just destroyed a real turquoise according to you.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      Agreed - you don't need to smash it. I've listed out all the easy tell tale signs. Although they are not 100% conclusive, it really doesn't need to be conclusive if you are not advertising and selling it. The value is in the beauty of the piece.

  • @nancysimpson4246
    @nancysimpson4246 8 місяців тому

    I don’t think any of that turquoise is real. That’s my opinion.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  8 місяців тому

      turquoise is different from different regions, so it may not seem real compared to the stock that you may have. Agreed, there is a lot of fake out there

  • @juliesczesny90
    @juliesczesny90 Рік тому

    This IS NOT PROFESSIONAL TESTING!!
    95% of all Turquoise is treated, which is acceptable.
    For the love of God, I'd take a slice off the end of a real bead, never smash it!
    As for the crumbling large Turquoise bead: this is why we stabilize 95% all Turquoise! Not inferior - just smart.
    And if you find small slivers on a watchband backed with black slices? The doublet was created to absorb shocks, from the watch hits!
    China is taking Turquoise powder, extruding it into Heshi beads - unacceptable. I consider those a cheat.
    I purchase semi-precious gems all the time.
    Yesterday, I tested another bulk purchase, tested as Turquoise. I suspected was Kingman, due to the history of the dearly departed, and examined jewelry he'd made from the stones. Plus, the raw Turquoise survived being in water, for 2 days.
    I then took the many lbs over to a friend, IGA cert. He corrected me - Kingman, with some Sleeping Beauty! Much more than I hoped.

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому

      Thanks for your comment. I never said it was a professional testing, but it is testing that is demonstrative and was effective in revealing fakes that alluded the naked eye. There is a great deal of debate whether reconstituted turquoise (powder or chips, left over from cutting, and adding resin to form new beads) is not just an extension of stabilizing turquoise. Just that more medium is added. So long as no one is trying to pass reconstituted turquoise as natural turquoise, and stabilized turquoise as non-stabilized natural turquoise, it is fine.
      Having a friend with IGA certification is always helpful. I envy your bulk purchase.

  • @augusta8901
    @augusta8901 9 місяців тому +1

    Terrible info and technique.

  • @SinghRohit007
    @SinghRohit007 Рік тому +1

    What a stupid way to check if the stone is real or not!

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +2

      It would be dumb if you did that to check, but lots of fun to demo for other's entertainment. I hope you enjoyed watching :)

  • @paultrout6422
    @paultrout6422 3 місяці тому

    Not a good presentation.😢

  • @actors504
    @actors504 Рік тому

    Everybody on here should listen to the way she is speaking no one should trust her judgment or what she is telling you she has absolutely no idea what she’s talking about

    • @stonesandfindings
      @stonesandfindings  Рік тому +4

      I am confused by your comment. Which facts about turquoise or fakes do you dispute? Can you give specifics? It seems like a trolling comment if you refer to "the way" I am speaking and, hence, I should not be trusted, without identifying the specific way/tone which makes my judgment untrustworthy. I disagree that I don't have any idea of what I'm talking about; perhaps you can share with us the specific turquoise facts can support your claim.

    • @edennis8578
      @edennis8578 Рік тому +3

      I've been buying gemstone beads and jewelry for 23 years, and I can't think of anything she said that I disagree with. I had to learn slowly and painfully about fakes. Even authentic dealers get caught out putting fakes in their inventory. It pays to take heed when someone is actually showing you what fakes are out there.

  • @Livvylove70
    @Livvylove70 4 місяці тому

    You take too long to explain