Fakes & FraudsMoss Agate & K2 Jasper...Natural or Synthetic?
However one thing I am quite surprised is the seller keep assuring it is natural, real stones before I purchases, but when the package arrive, the cover itself written "synthetic stone". Also I try to do a Mohs scratch test with my Pyrite, it looks like it can scratch the Agate even though it is higher toughness scale.
Thus, I wish to post the link, photo here for reference, do you think both stone are synthetic or real stones? I try to do a internet background check of Moss Agate, unfortunately I cant find a lot of resources regarding to the price range, normal natural photos/videos, or maybe the method of scratch test I have tried is not really correct.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/631836842/422-cts-100-natural-beautiful-green-moss
https://www.etsy.com/listing/643826453/319-cts-100-natural-k2-jasper-cabochon
I understand there are shady sellers on the online site, as both Moss Agate & K2 Jasper is not originally high price (thus not too-good to be true) and possible buying the real stones this price range, but the shape in the pendant style for every stones, with smooth back, looks a bit suspicious to me.
I can clarify more regarding the stone details on update, such as the feeling of touch, and more if you ask. I brought both stones for around 10USD. The seller said Moss Agate is from Africa, K2 Jasper from Pakistan. The thing most worrying me is that these first two gemstones collection that I started, are already fake, or I have paid 10USD for a synthetic glass.
To the experience user at forum, please have a look!
Thank you.
Edit: Some grammar mistakes and link fix
Nothing has shown whether k2 is artificial based off previous conversations. The only thing questionable thing about it is how it was formed and where the true locality is. For the moss agate check whether the scratch rubs off or doesn’t. Agate variants are found around the world and there is only a small chance that the moss is glass because it is somewhat hard to mimic the appearance of moss agate. 
Hi Edward,
I agree with Antonio, Moss Agate is readily available and to create a simulant with glass would probably not be cost effective.
K2 Jasper is actually a Granite and not Jasper, this too is unlikely to be simulated with glass. BUT, it has been known for the unscrupulous to put a few drops of blue dye on ordinary Granite to give the appearance of K2, so take a cotton bud with some Acetone on it and rub one of the blue dots and if the bud turns blue , you've been had.
Another thing quite often people sending Gems in the post will declare "synthetic gems" on the description and not "Gem Stones" this is to try and avoid theft.
Even if these two stones are fake, they are your first stones. So keep them for ever.
Welcome :-) Thank you Antonio for the prompt reply. I have tried to rub off that Moss Agate that I brought (I didn't dare to scratch so hard with my Pyrite, just few stroke back and forth), it is indeed appear to be able to rub off the scratch trails. I agree K2 doesn't have much information anywhere else, and since it is not expensive for the K2, I will leave it as it is.
I understand that agate is pretty common and it is not cost effective to make one, I solely have the curiosity priory as the seller have tons of the same "pendant" shape goods in the seller's store (whichever semi-precious stone he sells are all in that "pendant" shape), that makes me wonder is it mass-making from a factory and such.
I also haven't really seen a real moss agate (even the photos) before, if you have the photo or seen one before I would glad to check it out. (basically I saw the Moss Agate was beautiful and brought it)
Here is the link I saw another "Moss Agate" sold in Ebay with totally different appearance:
https://www.ebay.com.my/itm/Pretty-Unique-Natural-Green-Moss-Agate-Trapezoid-Pendant-Bead-30-24-9mm-HB45525/323562073223?hash=item4b55cd6c87:g:~usAAOSwtKlb9Who Hi Kevin,
Well that is the lighthearted spirit I am waiting for :) That makes me feel better really. I apologized for still not able to approach an Acetone yet (I believe it is common in Nail Polish remover?), I will make an update as soon as I tested the K2 Jasper/ Granite again.
For the point you mentioned for the synthetic gem is logically correct too, I tried to contact the seller, and the seller explained the same thing.
Something is probably off topic tough but it is still around the "fake and fraud" topic, what do you think about the authenticity for the sales of these semi-precious gemstones in Ebay & Etsy mass sellers nowadays? Some of seemingly rare minerals are for bid on few bucks, some description of the gemstones are really off ("Beautiful rare Green Lapis Lazuli Sphere Healing Polishing Mineral Crystal" etc), while some looks like one mineral but the title is another minerals. Although the origin of those gemstones are stated as from South America, Afghanistan, all the shipment of the seller are from either China, Thailand or India.
Below are two add-on order that I got that looks not really feasible. I do appreciate the comments on the two gemstones listed below, I can do an photo update as soon as the gemstone arrives.
https://www.ebay.com.my/itm/S4121-226g-53mm-Natural-YELLOW-Jade-quartz-crystal-sphere-ball-healing/264053009057?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com.my/itm/56g-Madagascar-natural-amazonite-polishing-mineral-crystal-specimens-13/183547478100?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Moss Agate is Agate with inclusions in it that look like moss and ferns etc.
That ebay link for the "Trapezoid pendant bead". I would not call it Moss Agate.
There is no such thing as Jade Quartz and just going by the photograph, that does not look like Amazonite.
Google "Images Moss Agate" you will get a pretty good idea, and do the same for Amazonite. Thank you everyone for your informative answers! One final point I wanted to add for this topic is, although my Moss Agate have much total transparent part that looks like glass, but in closer look of the Moss Agate, the surface of the stones are not smooth with the tiny holes despite tumbled, which makes me think it is less of a synthetic product. I do saw the other thread also mentioned agate will be cooler then the glass on touch, unfortunately I am living in hot climate area and the size of the agate is too small to be accurately rectified.
