Mindat Mineralogy Messageboard - Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tips for staying safe online and off http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-55.html Sat, 18 May 2013 13:11:06 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,292390,292390#msg-292390 WARNING: picture sharing and confidentiality (8 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,292390,292390#msg-292390
Smartphones and recent digital cameras are equiped with a geolocalisation system (gps). When you take a picture EXIF data is incorporated in the pic, which includes the localisation (gps coordinates) of where the picture was taken.

You have to deactivate this feature.]]> el cascaillou Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:26:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291629,291629#msg-291629 What do buyers consider fraud? (9 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291629,291629#msg-291629
What do you as a buyer consider fraud by a seller? I think this question is particularly relevant to internet sales.

For instance, one area of discussion might be this: Where does seller seeming negligence end and fraud begin?]]> James Jones Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:55:55 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291534,291534#msg-291534 Is this real? (14 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291534,291534#msg-291534 [attachment 45064 306254_476186749113509_1849796792_n.jpg]]]> Dennis McCoy Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:34:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291045,291045#msg-291045 Andara Crystal Scam (46 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,291045,291045#msg-291045 Authentic Monatomic Andara Crystal SCAM

Authentic Monatomic Andara Crystals are slag glass (from glass factories). They come from what is considered a garbage dump that has been abandoned. Search Ebay for “slag glass rock chunk” and you will find each and every color of every single “authentic monatomic andara crystal” that exists. A group of “sellers/healers” buy slag glass (knowing it is slag glass), then sell to each other and decide on names for these “crystals”.They break large pieces down to smaller sizes and scam honest people by the gram. They can authenticate it with signatures (from each other). Search both CURRENT and SOLD listings of slag glass rock chunk (even add “lot” to your search) and you will know for a fact that this is a true and horrific fraud in the name of purity and oneness. Thousands of innocent people are being scammed. Look at the uniform shaped andara pendants then search "crystal faceted drop" or "mixed crystal glass pendants" they are one and the same. The fraud isn't limited to Ebay. Search the net for Andara Crystals. Search Youtube for andara crystals. PLEASE HELP GET THIS INFORMATION OUT! People buying these pieces of slag glass are doing it for many types of healing as the sellers promise MANY results.

sellers of these andara crystals on Ebay are:
808maile92
andaralady
angelleesa
stephenmanz2012

Ebay stores:
Kauai Andara Crystals
The Mystic Andara Store
Andara-Crystals]]> Yamael Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 18 May 2013 11:19:26 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,290628,290628#msg-290628 Beware fake tellurides (13 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,290628,290628#msg-290628 www.ebay.com]

The link is to an eBay listing for a suite of 10 silver/gold/tellurides. I have reported this listing and two others in the past several weeks.

We purchased one the of the sets, though we were suspicious that the material was incorrectly ID'd. Every one of the ten pieces was a sample of "garden variety" ore - pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, galena etc. They had the appearance of being freshly broken. Messages to the seller were not returned. Fortunately, our money was refunded, but only after opening a claim.

I left "neutral" feedback that indicated our concerns of mis-identification were handled satisfactorily. However, the seller continues to peddle and misrepresent these stones. Another eBay buyer contacted me based on this feedback as he too found the material wrongly identified.

In case this listing is removed from the site, here is a screen capture. If you click on the photo, it is larger and shows more detail.

[attachment 44856 fraud.JPG]]]> Maggie Wilson Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:53:30 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,290529,290529#msg-290529 Ebay sellerr's Self Bidders Fraud (15 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,290529,290529#msg-290529 ebay id : ............]]> Minerals Miner Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 17 May 2013 02:45:39 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287931,287931#msg-287931 Nuummite fakes (15 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287931,287931#msg-287931 Robert Isaac Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:52:35 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287699,287699#msg-287699 Atlantispar (8 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287699,287699#msg-287699 I know that obviously, the name is geared to the metaphysical community. My main interest is in what turns this selenite blue. :)

[atlantispar.com]

As always,
thank you!
Mira Bai]]> Mira Bai Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:58:33 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287236,287236#msg-287236 Moldavite David Star (18 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,287236,287236#msg-287236
Moldavite Website]]> Elmer Le Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:04:46 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285962,285962#msg-285962 Fake Bisbee Copper on Pyrite (13 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285962,285962#msg-285962 So, be aware of this stuff showing up for sale.
Rolf Luetcke]]> Rolf Luetcke Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:21:48 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285578,285578#msg-285578 Blue phosphophyllite from Germany on ebay (15 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285578,285578#msg-285578 Jason Evans Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:06:35 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285477,285477#msg-285477 Well, that didn't take long........ (10 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285477,285477#msg-285477
Chelyabinks Meteorite for sale

Love the description as well!!]]> Paul Brandes Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:21:50 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285285,285285#msg-285285 Bismuth Geode Eggs (7 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285285,285285#msg-285285 www.ebay.com]

What the.....?

Now I've been a rockhound since I was a kid, and even though I may not be as knowledgeable as some on here when it comes to mineralogy,
even I know there is something very, very wrong about this...

This reminds me of a time, as a kid, when a friend glued some costume jewlery glass "gems" to a rock and told me his mom found it in Alaska and gave it to him. We both had a good laugh.]]> Matt Ciranni Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:52:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285084,285084#msg-285084 What do you all think about this Emerald. Does it seem to be good quality. I am told it is 1053 cts. What are all of your opinions? (10 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,285084,285084#msg-285084 Rachel Ehmann Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:15:52 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,284845,284845#msg-284845 Paraiba or fake? (9 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,284845,284845#msg-284845
I would like to know who sells authentic Paraiba Tourmaline on Ebay. Everybody, I need tips, please!
Thanks]]> Helo Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:40:18 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,284683,284683#msg-284683 Are these synthetic rubies on Ebay the real thing? (9 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,284683,284683#msg-284683
I came across a pair of 14x10 mm synthetic rubies on Ebay. I wouldn't mind having a pair of rubies in my rock collection (natural is just too expensive for me). This doesn't seem like a bad price if they're real. Should I buy them, and if so how would I know if they're not glass or some other imitation? I emailed the seller who told me it was lab grown corundum.

[www.ebay.com]

Thanks!]]> Cody Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:44:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,283529,283529#msg-283529 Foaming realgar on stibnite from Rumania (7 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,283529,283529#msg-283529
Going through samples I bought when I was young and naive... I was sceptical about a realgar on stibnite sample from rumania. To check if ti was potassium chromate I put it in hot water. It did not dissolve but it produced a lot of foam, which after washing and drying left a white coat on the crystal surface. I'm still sceptic about that sample, what do you think??

Dario]]> Dario Cericola Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:54:18 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,282485,282485#msg-282485 Latest eBay Deception--Sterling Silver Plated (5 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,282485,282485#msg-282485
Now there is a new scam proliferating: Sellers title their items with ".925 Sterling Silver." The description, however, says that the metal is .925 Sterling Silver Plated.

I can't remember ever seeing costume jewelry or a chain labeled "Sterling Silver Plated." Can anyone shed some light on what is usual and customary in the industry?

I'm also seeing sellers who claim their stones are set in .925 Sterling Silver and state that the bail is stamped .925. What they don't say is that only the bail is sterling. All the other metal is just silver plate--and since I don't buy from them, I wouldn't be sure that the bail is .925.]]> Sister Elias Freeman Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:25:16 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,281209,281209#msg-281209 Fake meteorite in the wild (no replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,281209,281209#msg-281209 Fake meteorite !



Ebay item

Do not panic. Its just silicon and the low specific weight will easily detect the fake.
I also market it as that what it is. But who knows the Chinese never sleep.

CU in Tucson
]]> Udo Behner Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 05 Jan 2013 23:25:18 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,280506,280506#msg-280506 Faked Turkish diaspore on matrix (3 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,280506,280506#msg-280506
I was recently asked by a collector to come to his home and look through his small (but impressive) collection and try to spot any fakes. Luckily, the only one I could conclusively say was faked was one he hadn't yet purchased - a Turkish gem diaspore specimen from this locality: [www.mindat.org]

As Mindat's gallery for the locality illustrates, these crystals are typically floaters, so I was suspicious when I saw two large, contact-damaged and mining-damaged crystals jutting from a piece of grainy, breccia-like matrix. Despite their damage, the crystals were nice, so I took a look under magnification. Clear as day, I could see traces of glue that was cleverly hidden with sand. The crystals had been added to the matrix. I could even see tiny fibers stuck to the glue.

I don't have a photo to share, but I still thought I should let the Mindat community know. I have no idea if these are widespread on the market, and maybe these are "old" fakes that I've just never seen before. But this piece was being marketed as a rare matrix specimen and had a high price tag, and I just want my fellow collectors to be wary of them.]]> Dan R. Lynch Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:32:37 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278676,278676#msg-278676 Emerald purchase protection (13 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278676,278676#msg-278676 www.starruby.in]
The stone is one of these 6.42-Carat Pair of Beautiful Heart-Shaped Colombian Emeralds / $5,618.00 / The Star Ruby Shop / E]]> idigitu88 Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:04:25 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278460,278460#msg-278460 I'm not sure about this emerald.. (10 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278460,278460#msg-278460
Thank you!

Luca]]> Luca Esposito Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:11:43 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278137,278137#msg-278137 astonishing ebay acution (12 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278137,278137#msg-278137
[www.ebay.com]

what's sad is the # of bids on it.

Ariel]]> Ariel S Wall Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:39:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278111,278111#msg-278111 gold plaque..?.. (8 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,278111,278111#msg-278111 Thank you in advance
Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes
dermot]]> Dermot Walsh Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:05:59 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,277662,277662#msg-277662 Natural bi-color beryl (8 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,277662,277662#msg-277662
Origin is Sherlovaya Gora (Sherlova), Adun-Cholon Range, Russia




]]> Dawid Godziewski Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:24:17 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,275104,275104#msg-275104 Natural silver wires together with hematite?? (no replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,275104,275104#msg-275104 Scriber suggest a possibility that he bought a potential fake of silver.

Knows somebody about join occurance of native silver wires together with hematite from Europe or rest of World?
There is not possibility to use resolution with scratch method :-S
I believe, that hematite is real, but "silver wires" probably not

Thank you in advance for your opinions

Ivan]]> Karsten Ivan Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 28 Oct 2012 20:17:52 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274969,274969#msg-274969 false locality pyrite on ebay (woah, big surprise!) (8 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274969,274969#msg-274969
[www.ebay.com]


Quote: "This was found in one large Nodule in the bottom of a "strip" mine, a dangerous unfriendly place to be. I certainly risked my life on this digging trip mores than most other trips. The entire place was collapsing around us, rock slides carrying many tons of ruble were set loose every 5 minutes or so that evening, roaring down into the 1500ft deep pit. We descended into the hole through the access path that had been built by the earth movers, not really safe to be walking on. Halfway down we encountered a sink hole that we could not see the bottom of which had collapsed just moments before. These strip mines are being excavated on top of old mine workings which were originally carried out by the infamous Molly Maguires. Tunnels which run continuously 40 miles underground. These old practices are the environmentally unfriendly act which lead to the huge amount of acid mine runoff which has killed off the fish in the streams and lakes of this region of northeast Pennsylvania. Pyrite is comprised of iron and sulfur, which breaks down upon contact with the air and water creating sulfuric water, aka acid mine runoff. "


Yes, this fellow does know full well he's lying to his customers . . . so what, it's EBAY and no one there cares!!]]> Mark Heintzelman Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:12:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274549,274549#msg-274549 Jeffrey Quarry Quartz (3 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274549,274549#msg-274549 This may not be the right category, but I honestly do not know where to put this. Please move to whatever category is more fitting.

I received an email from a Zachary Ward this morning attempting to sell me Jeffrey's Quartz. He said he had so much coming in each day, he needed to find buyers. Well, the Jeffrey's Quartz mine closed back in 2006 due to safety concerns. The mines would flood causing great danger to those who would dive into the flooded mines just to get these haystacked, water clear crystals and it has not produced since that time. Jeffrey's Quartz, aka Solution Quartz is pretty rare with only a number of vendors holding on to most of it.

I responded, no thank you. Am I correct in my information here? thanks so much!, Mira

Here is his original email:

From: zachary ward
Email: zacharyward227@yahoo.com

------------------------------------------------------

i was woundering how much jeffreys you have and if you would like to buy
some i have more than one could need and more comeing each week my source is
about one mile from jeffrey quarry in north little rock arkansas thank
you]]> Mira Bai Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:07:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274305,274305#msg-274305 Brazil twin (6 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,274305,274305#msg-274305 Hans Kloster Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:49:52 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,273282,273282#msg-273282 Fluorite Octahedrons (11 replies) http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,273282,273282#msg-273282
thank you!!
mira]]> Mira Bai Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:58:26 +0000