Turquoise, with its captivating sky-blue to verdant-green hues, has been treasured for millennia by cultures worldwide. From ancient Egyptians to Native American tribes, this gemstone has symbolized wisdom, protection, and tranquility. Its allure extends to modern times, making turquoise jewelry and artifacts highly sought after. However, the popularity of turquoise has unfortunately led to a surge in imitations, making it increasingly challenging to distinguish authentic turquoise from convincing fakes. If you're wondering
This article is designed to be your ultimate resource in the quest for authentic turquoise. We will delve into various methods, from simple visual inspections to more advanced physical tests, providing you with actionable insights at every step. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, understanding
Why Authenticity Matters: The Value of Real Turquoise
Before we dive into the methods of identification, it's essential to understand why distinguishing real turquoise from fake is so important. The value of turquoise extends beyond its aesthetic appeal; it encompasses its rarity, natural properties, and cultural significance.
- Intrinsic Value and Investment: Real turquoise, particularly high-grade varieties, is a valuable gemstone. Its price is influenced by factors like color, matrix, cut, and origin. Fake turquoise, on the other hand, is essentially worthless in comparison. Investing in genuine turquoise is an investment in a natural, finite resource, while purchasing a fake is simply a waste of money.
- Durability and Longevity: Natural turquoise, while relatively soft, possesses a certain degree of durability when properly cared for. Imitations, often made from plastic, resin, or dyed materials, are typically less durable and prone to damage, fading, or wear and tear over time.
- Metaphysical and Spiritual Properties: For many, turquoise holds spiritual and metaphysical significance. It's believed to possess healing properties, promote communication, and offer protection. These believed benefits are associated with natural turquoise, not with synthetic imitations.
- Ethical Considerations: Supporting the genuine turquoise market often means supporting ethical mining and fair trade practices. Purchasing fakes contributes to a deceptive market that undermines legitimate businesses and artisans.
Knowing
Visual Inspection: Your First Line of Defense
Often, the first clues to a turquoise's authenticity can be discerned through careful visual examination. While visual inspection alone isn't foolproof, it's a crucial starting point and can often raise red flags about potential fakes. Here's what to look for:
Color: Natural Variation vs. Uniformity
Real Turquoise: Natural turquoise exhibits a range of colors, from vibrant sky blue to bluish-green and even apple green. The color is often uneven, with variations and subtle shifts within the stone. This natural color zoning is a hallmark of genuine turquoise. Look for subtle differences in shade and saturation within the stone.
Fake Turquoise: Many imitations, especially those made from dyed howlite or plastic, display an unnaturally uniform and consistent color. The color may appear too perfect, too bright, or too evenly distributed throughout the stone. Be wary of turquoise that looks flawlessly colored without any natural variations.
Matrix: The Story in the Veins
Real Turquoise: The matrix is the network of veins or patterns running through the turquoise. In genuine turquoise, the matrix is naturally formed and random. It can be web-like, spiderweb, or blotchy, and the color of the matrix can vary from brown and black to golden or even shades of blue. The matrix is typically embedded within the stone, appearing three-dimensional.
Fake Turquoise: Imitations often have a matrix that is painted or drawn onto the surface. This painted matrix will often look flat, artificial, and sit on top of the stone rather than being integrated within it. The patterns may be repetitive or overly symmetrical, lacking the natural randomness of genuine matrix. Some fakes may even lack a matrix entirely, especially if they are trying to mimic certain types of turquoise.
Actionable Tip: Examine the matrix closely with a magnifying glass. Does it look like it's part of the stone, or painted on top? Are the patterns naturally irregular or suspiciously uniform?
Luster and Surface: Shine and Texture
Real Turquoise: Real turquoise typically has a waxy to slightly vitreous (glassy) luster. It shouldn't appear overly shiny or plastic-like. The surface can range from smooth to slightly porous, depending on the type and treatment of the turquoise. It should feel cool to the touch initially.
Fake Turquoise: Many imitations, particularly plastic or resin, will have a very glossy, plastic-like shine. They may feel warm to the touch immediately, unlike the coolness of stone. Some fakes might be coated with a resin or sealant to enhance their appearance, resulting in an unnatural, overly smooth, and often sticky surface.
Actionable Tip: Observe the luster in different lighting conditions. Real turquoise will have a subtle, natural sheen, not an artificial, high-gloss shine.
Physical Tests: Taking a Deeper Dive
While visual inspection is a great starting point, physical tests can provide more conclusive evidence when determining
The Scratch Test: Unveiling Hardness
The Principle: Turquoise has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This means it's softer than glass (5.5-6.5) and a steel knife blade (around 5.5-6.5). Many imitations, especially plastic and resin, are significantly softer.
The Test (Use Caution): In an inconspicuous area, gently try to scratch the turquoise with a fingernail (hardness ~2.5) and then with a copper penny (hardness ~3). Real turquoise should not be scratched by these materials. Then, very cautiously try to scratch it with a steel knife blade or the edge of a glass object (like a glass tile). Real turquoise might be slightly scratched by these, but it should resist significant scratching. Plastic or resin imitations will scratch much more easily with these tools.
Important Note: This test can be destructive and should be performed with extreme care, preferably in an area that is not visible when worn. Avoid scratching the main face of the stone. If you are unsure, skip this test.
The Water Absorption Test: Porosity Check
The Principle: Natural turquoise is porous to varying degrees. It can absorb a small amount of water. Many imitations are non-porous materials like plastic or heavily sealed stones.
The Test: Place a tiny drop of water on an inconspicuous, unpolished area of the turquoise. Observe what happens. Real turquoise will slowly absorb the water, causing the area to darken slightly. The water droplet may bead up slightly initially but should eventually seep in. Fake turquoise made of plastic or resin will not absorb water; the droplet will simply sit on the surface or roll off.
Important Note: Use only a tiny drop of water and observe carefully. Wipe away any excess water immediately after the observation. This test is more effective on untreated or lightly treated turquoise. Heavily stabilized or resin-treated turquoise may show reduced porosity.
The Acetone Test: Dye Detection
The Principle: Many fake turquoise stones are made from white stones like howlite or magnesite that are dyed blue to resemble turquoise. Acetone (nail polish remover) can sometimes dissolve or remove dyes.
The Test (Use Caution): Dab a cotton swab with acetone (nail polish remover). Gently rub the swab on an inconspicuous area of the turquoise, such as the back or an unpolished part. Examine the cotton swab. If the swab picks up blue or green color, it indicates the presence of dye, suggesting a fake. Real turquoise's color is inherent and will not rub off with acetone.
Important Note: Perform this test in a well-ventilated area. Acetone is flammable and should be handled with care. Test in an inconspicuous area to avoid any potential damage or discoloration. Some stabilized turquoise may also release a slight color due to surface treatments, so interpret results cautiously and consider other tests as well.
The Heat Test: Smell and Melt (Use Extreme Caution!)
The Principle: Plastic and resin imitations will react differently to heat than natural stone. They may melt, soften, or emit a plastic-like odor when heated.
The Test (EXTREME CAUTION REQUIRED, BEST AVOIDED UNLESS YOU ARE VERY EXPERIENCED AND DISPOSING OF THE STONE): This test is potentially destructive and should only be attempted with extreme caution and ideally on a piece you are willing to potentially damage. Use a heated needle or pin (heated over a flame or with a soldering iron – carefully!). Very briefly touch the hot needle to an inconspicuous area of the turquoise. Observe the reaction and smell. Plastic or resin will melt, soften, or emit a distinct plastic or chemical odor. Real turquoise will be unaffected by this brief exposure to heat and will not emit a plastic smell.
Important Note: This test carries a risk of damaging the stone and should be considered a last resort, and preferably avoided by inexperienced individuals. If you are unsure, do not perform this test. Inhaling fumes from burning plastic is harmful. Perform in a well-ventilated area if you proceed with extreme caution.
Magnification: Revealing Microscopic Details
The Principle: Examining turquoise under magnification (10x loupe or microscope) can reveal details not visible to the naked eye, helping to differentiate natural materials from synthetics or imitations.
What to Look For:
- Natural Inclusions: Real turquoise often contains microscopic inclusions, natural imperfections, and variations in texture. These are signs of natural formation.
- Dye Concentration: Under magnification, dyed imitations may show concentrations of dye in cracks or crevices, or an unnatural, pixelated appearance of color.
- Plastic or Resin Texture: Plastic and resin imitations may exhibit a smooth, uniform, and sometimes bubbly texture under magnification, lacking the natural irregularities of stone.
- Matrix Appearance: Magnification can further help assess if the matrix is painted on the surface or genuinely embedded within the stone.
Actionable Tip: Invest in a 10x jeweler's loupe. Practice examining known real and fake turquoise samples under magnification to train your eye.
Common Imitation Materials and How to Spot Them
Understanding the common materials used to imitate turquoise is crucial in
Howlite and Magnesite: Dyed White Stones
Howlite and magnesite are white minerals that are porous and readily accept dyes. They are frequently dyed blue to mimic turquoise. These are perhaps the most common turquoise imitations.
How to Identify:
- Unnatural Uniform Color: Dyed howlite often has an overly uniform, bright blue color that lacks the subtle variations of natural turquoise.
- Painted Matrix: The matrix is often painted on and looks flat and artificial.
- Chalky Texture: Howlite and magnesite can have a slightly chalky or porous texture, especially in less polished areas.
- Acetone Test: As mentioned earlier, the acetone test is often effective in detecting dyes on howlite and magnesite.
Plastic and Resin: Synthetic Substitutes
Plastic and resin are inexpensive and easily molded materials used to create convincing-looking turquoise imitations.
How to Identify:
- Lightweight: Plastic and resin are significantly lighter than stone. Real turquoise will feel substantial for its size.
- Warm to the Touch: Plastic and resin feel warm to the touch almost immediately, while stone remains cool for a longer time.
- Plastic Luster: The shine is often very glossy and plastic-like, lacking the waxy luster of real turquoise.
- Heat Test (Cautiously): Plastic and resin will melt or smell like burning plastic when heated (use extreme caution).
Reconstituted Turquoise: Dust and Glue
Reconstituted turquoise is made from fragments and dust of real turquoise that are mixed with a binder (often resin or plastic) and compressed into a solid form. While it contains some real turquoise, it's significantly less valuable than solid, natural turquoise.
How to Identify:
- Uniform Appearance: Reconstituted turquoise often has a very uniform color and texture, lacking the natural variations of solid turquoise.
- Grainy or Speckled Texture: Close inspection may reveal a grainy or speckled texture, indicating it's made of small particles bonded together.
- Resin Odor (Sometimes): In some cases, a slight resin or glue odor might be detectable, especially when heated gently (use caution).
- Lower Price: Reconstituted turquoise should be priced significantly lower than solid natural turquoise. If the price seems too good to be true, it might be reconstituted.
Buying Tips to Minimize Risk and Ensure Authenticity
Purchasing turquoise, especially online or from unfamiliar sources, can be risky. Here are some essential buying tips to increase your chances of acquiring genuine turquoise:
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: Choose established jewelers, reputable online vendors with strong reviews, or dealers specializing in Native American jewelry who have a proven track record of selling authentic turquoise.
- Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask the seller about the turquoise's origin, treatments, and authenticity. A reputable seller should be transparent and willing to provide information.
- Examine in Different Lighting: Inspect the turquoise under various lighting conditions (natural light, incandescent light, fluorescent light). This can help reveal subtle color variations and surface details.
- Be Wary of "Too Good to Be True" Prices: High-quality natural turquoise is valuable. If a deal seems unbelievably cheap, it's likely fake.
- Request Certification or Appraisal (For High-Value Pieces): For expensive or significant turquoise pieces, consider requesting a certificate of authenticity from a reputable gemological laboratory or seeking a professional appraisal.
- Trust Your Gut: If something feels off about the turquoise or the seller, trust your instincts and consider looking elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Is all turquoise with a matrix real?
- A: Not necessarily. While matrix is common in real turquoise, some fakes also incorporate artificial matrix. The key is to examine the matrix closely and look for signs of natural formation versus painted or artificial patterns.
- Q: Can real turquoise be treated?
- A: Yes, much of the turquoise on the market is treated to enhance its color, stability, and durability. Common treatments include stabilization (impregnating with resin) and waxing. Treatments are generally acceptable as long as they are disclosed. However, heavily treated turquoise is less valuable than natural, untreated turquoise of comparable quality.
- Q: Is green turquoise fake?
- A: No, green turquoise is a natural variation of turquoise. The color of turquoise is influenced by the presence of copper (blue) and iron (green). Green turquoise is less common than blue but is still genuine turquoise.
- Q: Can I test turquoise at home?
- A: Yes, you can perform some basic tests at home, such as visual inspection, scratch tests (with caution), and water absorption tests. However, for definitive authentication, especially of valuable pieces, professional gemological testing is recommended.
- Q: Where is real turquoise found?
- A: Historically, some of the most famous turquoise deposits have been in Iran (Persian turquoise) and the Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico). Other sources include China, Mexico, and South America. Origin can sometimes influence value, but authentication is paramount regardless of origin claims.
Conclusion: Empowering Yourself to Identify Real Turquoise
Distinguishing
Remember to prioritize buying from reputable sources, ask questions, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. For valuable pieces, professional appraisal and certification are always recommended. With practice and diligence, you can confidently navigate the world of turquoise, appreciate its natural beauty, and ensure you are acquiring genuine gemstones that will be treasured for years to come. Happy turquoise hunting!
References and Further Reading
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA): www.gia.edu
- International Gem Society (IGS): www.gemsociety.org
- Newman, Renee. Gem and Jewelry Appraisal: Techniques of Identification, Evaluation and Documentation. International Jewelry Publications, 2014.
- Pogue, Joseph E. The Turquoise: A Study of Its History, Mineralogy, Geology, Ethnology, Archaeology, Mythology, Folklore, and Technology. Rio Grande Press, 1973.
