How to Tell the Difference Between Real and Fake Turquoise

Real turquoise is a stunning gemstone that has been popular for thousands of years. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including light blue to dark green.

It is also often cut into cabochons or beads and can be used for jewelry. The most prized color is a deep blue known as “robin’s egg” turquoise.

There are a few things you can do to tell the difference between real and fake turquoise. These tests will help you make an informed decision so that you can buy the turquoise jewelry that is right for you!

The Color of Turquoise:

One of the first ways you can tell the difference between real and fake turquoise is by looking at the color of the stone. This is especially important because many faux stones are dyed.

Generally, real turquoise has a bright sky blue that leans slightly green. This is due to the copper content of the gemstone. It is possible to find turquoise that is a deeper blue, but it is less common than the lighter and more vibrant colors.

Other factors to consider are the size, shape, and the amount of inclusions. Typically, the more inclusions you see, the better the quality of the piece.

If there is more than one inclusion, this indicates that the stone was carved or shaped to create a certain look. A genuine Turquoise stone will usually have a spiderweb-like appearance to it, which can be a good indicator of authenticity.

The Weight of the Gemstone:

Another easy way to tell the difference between real and fake turquoise is to weigh it. Fake turquoise made from reconstituted Turquoise is easy to spot because it is lighter than real turquoise.

Howlite and Magnesite:

The absorbent white mineral, howlite, is the main ingredient in fake turquoise. It is easily dyed to mimic the hues of real Turquoise.

Dyed Howlite and magnesite are softer than real Turquoise and therefore can be scratched easily by a finger nail or other object.

There is an easy test to do when you are in the market for turquoise: Use some acetone and a cotton bud. This will allow you to see if your stone has been dyed and will leave an imprint of the acetone on the rock.

If you get a white circle when you wipe the acetone on it, you have a good idea of whether or not it is real. Using this technique on any turquoise bead is risky because it could damage the stone.

Be sure to keep the acetone away from your eyes! It can also damage your skin and hair.

You can do a second test by applying the acetone to your finger nail and then touching a small area of the stone. If it gets stained or soiled, it is likely that the stone has been dyed.

The best thing to do is to take your time when you are shopping for turquoise jewelry. It is always a good idea to go in with a budget and be aware of the fact that you can find real turquoise for a fraction of the price that you may pay for a fake piece.