Know Real Gemstone or Fake? How to Know Gemstones

Have you ever looked at your beautiful Gemstone and wondered that, “Is this gemstone real or fake?”

Then you are not alone! Because many people, whether they are just starting to love Gemstones or have been collecting them for a while, sometimes worry about whether a stone is genuine or not.

There are, unfortunately, many fake gemstones out there that can look very much like the real Gemstone.

At Cambay Agates, we have been working with real and beautiful Gemstones for many years. And thus we understand how important it is for you to know if the gemstone you have or are planning to buy is real or not.

That’s why we have put together this simple guide to help you learn How to tell if Gemstones are real or not and avoid getting fooled by Fake Gemstones.

By the end of this, you’ll have some easy ways to check and feel more confident about your precious stones.

Also if you want to know more about What are Gemstones and their Healing Properties? Then you should read out our guide for that where you will learn more about Gemstones and their Healing Properties

Why Knowing if Your Gemstone is Real is Important

You might be thinking, “Okay, so there are fake gemstones. Why does it really matter?” Well, there are a few important reasons why knowing if your gemstone is real is a good idea.

First of all, Real Gemstones can be quite valuable. And if you are spending your hard-earned money on a Gemstone, then you want to be sure that you are getting what you paid for. And not a fake Gemstone because a fake gemstone might look pretty, but it won’t have the same worth as a Real Gemstone.

Also, many people are interested in Gemstones for their believed healing properties or special energies. And if you are buying a gemstone for these reasons, it’s important to have a real gemstone to experience any potential benefits. A fake stone simply won’t have the same natural energy.

And beyond value and properties, Real Gemstones are also natural wonders. Each Real Gemstone is unique and has its own special beauty that comes from the way it was formed in the earth.

Fake Gemstones, on the other hand, are often made in a factory and might not have the same natural charm.

Finally, knowing the difference between these two helps you avoid being tricked. Unfortunately, there are some people who might try to sell fake gemstones as real ones for a higher price. And being able to identify a genuine gemstone will protect you from such situations and make you a more confident buyer.

Simple Tests You Can Do at Home to Check Gemstone is Real or Fake

While the best way to know for sure if a Gemstone is real is to get it checked by a professional, though there are some easy things you can try at your home to get a first idea.

But remember that these tests are not always 100% accurate, but they can sometimes give you a good hint.

The Water Test:

• For this test, you’ll need a glass of water.
• So some people believe that certain Real Gemstones will sink to the bottom of the glass surface because they are denser. Whereas, Fake Gemstones, which are often made of plastic or glass, might float or stay in the middle.
• However, this test doesn’t work for all gemstones, as some real ones are also quite light. Also, you need to be careful with Gemstones which are known to be porous or can be damaged by water, like turquoise or opal.

The Scratch Test (Be Very Careful!):

• Real Gemstones are usually quite hard. This means they can scratch softer materials.
• The Mohs Hardness Scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals. For example, a diamond is very hard (10 on the Mohs scale) and can scratch almost anything. Whereas Quartz is a 7, and glass is usually around 5.5.
• Important: Only try this test if you are okay with potentially causing a tiny scratch on your gemstone. If you’re not sure, it’s best not to do it.
• So you can try to gently scratch a piece of glass with your gemstone. If it scratches the glass, it might be a harder, real gemstone. If it doesn’t scratch the glass, it might be softer or fake.
• You can also try to scratch your gemstone with a known hard material, like a piece of quartz (if you have one). A real Gemstone should be able to scratch something softer than itself.

Look Closely for Tiny Mistakes (Inclusions):

• Natural Gemstones often have small imperfections inside them. These are called inclusions and can be tiny bubbles, cracks, or bits of other minerals.
• Fake Gemstones, especially those made of glass, might look too perfect or might have round, perfectly shaped air bubbles inside.
• Use a magnifying glass if you have one to look closely inside the gemstone.

The Breath Test:

• Hold the Gemstone in front of your mouth and breathe on it, like you would to fog up a mirror.
• Watch how quickly the fog disappears. On a real gemstone, the fog should disappear almost instantly.
• On a fake gemstone made of glass or plastic, the fog might take a few seconds to disappear.

Use a Small Magnifying Glass:

• As mentioned before, use a magnifying glass to look inside the gemstone.
• Look for perfectly round air bubbles, which are a common sign of glass.
• Also, check the colour. If the colour looks very artificial or is only on the surface, it might be a fake.

Remember, these are just simple tests to give you an initial idea. For valuable Gemstones or if you are still unsure, it’s always best to get it checked by a professional gemologist, like the experts at Cambay Agates!

What to Look for When You Buy Gemstones

It’s always good to be a little careful when you are Buying Gemstones, especially if you are spending a good amount of money. Here are some things you should keep in mind to help you get a real and beautiful stone:

Buy from People You Trust:

The best way to make sure you are getting a Real Gemstone is to buy from sellers who have a good reputation and who you can trust.

Look for shops or websites that have been around for a while and have good reviews from other customers. 

Places like Cambay Agates, where we have a long history of working with gemstones, are often a safer bet.

Ask for a Certificate:

For some more expensive Gemstones, the seller might have a certificate from a gemological laboratory. This certificate will tell you important details about the gemstone. 

Like what type it is and if it’s natural. If a gemstone comes with a certificate from a well-known lab, it’s a good sign that it’s genuine.

If the Price Seems Too Good to Be True…:

Just like with many things, if a deal on a Gemstone looks unbelievably cheap, it might be a sign that something is not right.

Real gemstones often have a certain value, and if someone is selling a supposed rare Gemstone for a very low price, it could be a fake.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions:

When you are Buying a Gemstone, don’t hesitate to ask the seller questions.

Ask about where the Gemstone came from, if it has been treated in any way, and anything else you are curious about.

A seller who knows their Gemstones well should be happy to answer your all questions.

Examine the Gemstone Carefully:

If you are buying a gemstone in person, take a good look at the Gemstone before you decide. Check its colour, its shine, and see if you can spot any obvious signs of it being fake, like too many bubbles inside (which can happen with glass).

By keeping these points in mind, you can make smarter choices when Buying Gemstones and increase your chances of getting a beautiful and real gemstone!

When to Ask an Expert (Like Us at Cambay Agates!)

While the simple tests we talked about can give you a good first impression, sometimes it’s best to get advice from someone who really knows the Gemstones.

Think of it like this: if you have a small cough, you might try a home remedy, but if you are very sick, then obviously you will go to a doctor, right? It’s similar with gemstones.

Here are some situations when it’s a good idea to ask an expert, like the team at Cambay Agates:

• If Your Gemstone is Very Expensive or Valuable: If you have a Gemstone that you know is worth a lot of money, you’ll want to be absolutely sure about its authenticity. Getting it checked by a professional Gemologist is the safest way to do this. 
• If You’ve Tried the Home Tests and You’re Still Not Sure: Sometimes, the results of the water test or the scratch test might not be clear. If you are still feeling confused after trying the simple checks, an expert can give you a definite answer. 
• If You Are Planning to Buy a Very Special Gemstone: If you are about to make a big purchase of a Gemstone that is important to you, it’s wise to get it authenticated beforehand, if possible. A reputable seller should be okay with this. 
• If You Just Want Peace of Mind: Even if your gemstone seems real based on the home tests, you might just want the reassurance of knowing for sure from an expert. 

At Cambay Agates, we have a team of people who have a lot of experience and knowledge about Gemstones.

So if you have any doubts about a gemstone you own or are thinking of buying, please feel free to reach out to Cambay Agates. 

We are always happy to help you identify genuine Gemstones and answer any questions you might have. We are passionate about real, beautiful stones and want to make sure you feel confident in your gemstone journey!

Conclusion

So, learning to tell the difference between a Real and Fake Gemstones might seem a little tricky at first, but with these simple tips, you can become much more confident! Remember that it’s always good to be a bit careful and to trust your instincts when you are looking at Gemstones.

Knowing whether your Gemstone is Real or Fake is important for many reasons, from its value to its potential healing properties.

By trying out the easy tests at home and knowing what to look for when you buy, you can make sure you are getting the genuine article.

At Cambay Agates, we are very serious about making sure all our Gemstones are real and of the best quality. We want you to enjoy the true beauty and energy of authentic stones.

We hope this guide has been helpful for you on your gemstone journey. Keep learning, keep exploring, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Cambay Agates if you ever have any questions! Happy gemstone hunting!

By the way you can learn about the differences of Gemstones vs Crystals in our guide to clearly understand their differences.