How do you know if a emerald is real?

Answer 1

Rub against a piece of cloth and then smell it. If it isn't real it smells like plastic. You can do the same thing with turquoise .

Perform a scratch test. Jadeite is very hard; it will scratch glass or even metal. Nephrite, however, can be much softer, so performing a scratch test improperly may damage a genuine piece. Use the blunt end of a pair of scissors and gently press down and draw a line on an area on the jade piece that is not visible (bottom or end of the piece). Avoid any weathering surfaces because these are much softer and can be easily damaged. If the scratch makes a white line, gently wipe it off (it might be metal residue from the scissors). Is there still a scratch? If so, it's probably not authentic jade. If it scratches glass or steel, it could still be many of the alternatives to jade as well, including the various forms of green quartz and prehnite. Notice: Perform this test at your own risk. The piece may be very valuable, even if it's not made from jade, and can lose significant value if scratched.

Answer 2

If you are considering buying any gemstone worth a lot of money:

You can check the stone for inclusions; a reputable jeweler would have no problem allowing you to use their loupe for this. Whether what you see through the glass will tell you anything useful is doubtful unless you have some experience with gems.

Or you can view the stone in ultraviolet: it will change color if it is a fake. I can't comment on where you'll get the ultraviolet light; perhaps the jeweler will have some you can use.

Otherwise, and most importantly:

*Buy only from an established and reputable jeweler or gem merchant. There will be an association of jewelers in your country or area, ask any good jeweler for their website or phone number.

*Always check whether you can get a second opinion on the stone.

*Ask for a statement of valuation, acceptable to your insurance company, to be given to you with your purchase. Check with your insurers, or any insurers it you're not insured, about their requirements, so you know which words to use.

Use your commonsense. If the person selling the stone is reluctant to answer questions, about its origin, weight, history and so on, there's a problem. Don't buy.

If you ask about a second opinion, or a valuation certificate, or want to bring along someone else to look at it and they try to rush you into buying (it's a special one-off price', 'we've promised it to someone else if it's not sold today', or similar) then don't trust them. And if they make the sale sound too good to be true, it won't be true.

No matter how good a bargain they tell you it is, remember, you're the one whose money they want. Once you've paid you'd be very lucky to prove you thought you were getting the real thing if they've given you no acceptable proof in writing.

Remember, too, that 'real' doesn't necessarily mean 'top quality'. There are many inferior but real gemstones on the market, and many far superior manufactured stones.

And don't believe ancient superstitions and old wive's tales when it comes to telling whether a gemstone is real, or come to that, when it comes to anything else, either. Myths do none of us any good, and can do harm.

I'd hate to think of someone admiring their friend's lovely new emerald ring, breathing on it and saying, oh, dear, it's a fake!

Finally, if you are offered a fantastic bargain on gems, or anything else, and you suspect the seller mightn't have come by the goods honestly, don't buy. If you are caught with stolen goods, and people do get caught, you'll not only lose both the goods and your money, you could face criminal charges.