It can be helpful to know how to tell if your amethyst is real, so you don’t get the beautiful gemstone confused with something else. Artificially enhanced amethysts will have a very small amount of color added to them, which can be detected by an expert gemologist with the use of specific instruments. Natural amethyst will never have more than a slight amount of color enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss how you can tell if your amethyst is real or not.
What is Amethyst?
A real amethyst stone is a purple variety of quartz and is the most popular type of quartz. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word “amethystos”, which means “not drunk”. Amethysts have been used in jewelry for centuries and are often used in engagement and wedding rings.
The gemstone is said to bring peace, calm, and stability to the wearer and is also thought to be helpful in preventing hangovers. Amethysts are found all over the world, but the best quality amethysts come from Brazil, Uruguay, and Madagascar.
Fake vs Real Amethyst – What to Look For
There are a few things you should look for when determining whether or not your amethyst is real. If you want to determine if you have a genuine amethyst, consider the following metrics:
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Clarity
When looking for ways to tell if your amethyst is real or not, you should look closely at the clarity of the stone. Amethysts are very clean stones, meaning that there are much fewer visible inclusions in them than other stones. The clarity is often what keeps people from thinking their amethyst is real or not! If your stone has an abundance of inclusions or flaws, it may not be a real amethyst.
Amethysts will also have threads beneath the surface (as it is quartz) rather than bubbling. Use a magnifying glass to study the stone to see whether it is real or if it is a synthetic amethyst gem. If your amethyst has been artificially enhanced, it will have often a white coating on the surface from where the enhancements were applied.
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Color
Amethyst is naturally a very light purple color. If your amethyst looks neon purple or too dark, it’s not real. If the stone you are looking at has more than just a slight tint of purple to it, there is likely some sort of enhancement done to the stone.
Amethyst also has color zoning, meaning that it will have a range of hues along one section of the stone. If your amethyst is solid purple throughout, it’s likely too good to be true and has some sort of color enhancement done to it.
Product Enhancement
One way people tell if their amethyst is real or not is by determining whether or not there is any product enhancement in the stone. If your amethyst has more than a slight amount of enhancement, it is most likely not real. Amethysts will never be enhanced with any coloring or dyeing agents.
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Hardness
Amethysts are typically one of the harder stones out there, which is another reason why they look so real. If your amethyst can be easily scratched by a common knife or nail, it’s probably not real. Natural amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale and synthetic amethyst is often between 6 and 6.5.
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Price
Another thing you can do to determine if your amethyst is real or not is price. Amethysts are one of the most popular stones out there, but they are also one of the more expensive gemstones on the market. If your amethyst costs less than $2 – 30 per carat, it’s likely too good to be true.
The fluctuation above accounts for the polish of the stone, its weight, imperfections, and more. If you are in doubt, it may be worth getting a second opinion or asking about return policies.
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Variety of cuts
Amethyst is often placed in a setting and then mounted on top of another stone (such as a ring with diamonds around it). It’s best to choose stones that are not influenced by the mounting.
Be aware that some sellers will try to sell you pre-mounted rings or pieces, which may not be the amethyst you think you are buying.
Inclusions in amethysts are very common and they will not affect the value of the stone or its appearance in a setting. If your amethyst has any inclusions that look fishy, it’s probably a fake.
Some rounder amethysts may be to hide imperfections. Even if it is an authentic amethyst, it may be worth studying before you purchase it. You won’t be able to see everything with the naked eye, so ask if you can use a magnifying glass to study the gem’s clarity.
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Origin
There are several places in the world where amethysts can be found. If you are not purchasing your stone from a reputable vendor, it may have been mined in Russia or Brazil. If there is anything suspicious about its origin, try to get a second opinion or ask for confirmation of authenticity before buying.
Amethysts can be found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Mexico, the United States, and others. Keep this in mind as you shop for your stone. Many will import amethysts from other countries and pass them off as top-quality stones. Your best options are to go with a trusted vendor or purchase directly from the miners themselves.
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Injected Dyes
Injected dyes are a cheap and common way to color synthetic gemstones. If your amethyst has bright purple coloring throughout, it’s most likely injected with a dye.
Although the treatments that can be performed on an amethyst are not as many or elaborate as what you might see done to a diamond, there are still many things that can be done to an amethyst.
As long as the appraiser is able to tell you how it was enhanced, you will have a better idea of what you are getting. That being said, if your amethyst has more than one enhancement technique done to it, it’s likely not real. Amethysts can be enhanced using oil, fillers, and dyes. Oil includes a natural treatment involving olive oil, which may be seen as a cloudy look on the surface of the stone.
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Amethyst Grades
The prices for this stone will vary depending on where it was mined and what grade it is. Amethyst can be as low as a Natural AA and go to Natural AAAA as the highest quality. Most of the amethysts on the market are natural AA. These stones will be far more affordable than one of a higher grade.
Where To Buy Real Amethyst
If you want to make sure that your amethyst is real, the best place to buy it would be from a jeweler or store that specializes in selling gems and jewelry. This will help you avoid websites like eBay, Craigslist, and other online marketplaces.
Most of these sites do not have any way to prove authenticity so you can never be sure what you are getting. If you are shopping for real amethyst jewelry or loose gemstones, try to stick with a reputable vendor that has been in business for several years.
The best way to find these vendors is by asking other jewelers where they buy their stones from. Once you find the right store, take your time and do your research. Knowing what you want to buy will help you avoid buying something that isn’t real.
The prices of amethyst vary greatly depending on where they are mined. If you can find a distributor near your area, it’s best to visit in person. This way, the jeweler can show you the stone in person and appraise it in front of you.
If you are buying online, make sure that the vendor offers a money-back guarantee and appraisal certificate. This will help ensure that the amethyst is real and if not, your purchase should be backed up by their return policy.
How to a Spot Fake Amethyst?
Synthetic gems are made in a lab, rather than being found naturally. The process for making synthetic stones is so advanced now that they are almost impossible to distinguish from naturally mined stones.
The only way to tell if your stone is natural or lab-created is by testing it in a laboratory, which most jewelers don’t have the equipment for. If you are purchasing your stone online, make sure that the vendor offers returns and offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
If you have your stone appraised by a real jeweler, they will test it for you and let you know if the stone is natural or synthetic. This way, if there is a problem with your purchase, you can get a refund from the vendor.