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Fakes & FraudsHere's another one - danburite?

31st Dec 2017 18:01 UTCNick Gilly

Another one from that auction site, being sold as a pinkish topaz:


[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/EoAAAOSw~0paSQrG/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rSAAAOSwi5RaSQpa/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3iQAAOSwxzdaSQp2/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0ckAAOSw3fZaSQqC/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/a8cAAOSwW6BaSQqh/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


I've never heard of pinkish topaz from Erongo, and it looks suspiciously like a Mexican danburite to me. I could be wrong though.


Any opinion welcomed.


Thanks and regards,

Nick

31st Dec 2017 21:05 UTCOwen Lewis

Check that the dealer accepts returns. If he does, and you like then buy, test and if unhappy return. All good dealers will refund all postage costs on any item that was misdescribed at sale. e-Bay are hot on this I think.


Won't guess just off those pics but SG and that perfect basal cleavage in topaz are the certain distinguishers.

31st Dec 2017 21:23 UTCRalph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager

The crystal habit, colour and lack of cleavage do suggest Danburite.

31st Dec 2017 23:01 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

Sure looks like danburite to me.

31st Dec 2017 23:52 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

The crack near the base in the third picture certainly looks a lot more like a danburite fracture than a topaz cleavage.

2nd Jan 2018 19:02 UTCNick Gilly

Thanks guys. Your replies just confirm what I was thinking.

2nd Jan 2018 20:26 UTCDana Slaughter 🌟 Expert

Have seen thousands of these with a wholesaler in Tucson---definitely danburite from Charcas.
 
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