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Identity Helphardness test: 7 scratches Quartz?
11th Jun 2017 16:04 UTCSophiaJoy MB
I used a hardness test tool, and found that the hardness 7 didn’t scratch the stone first, but I kept trying and eventually the tool scratched it.
Can the hardness 7 scratch Quartz…sometimes??
CZ is 8 to 8.5, right?
In this situation, is there anything else I can try to find out if the stone is natural Amethyst?
(I also used a lupe but couldn't find any inclusions)
Thanks!
11th Jun 2017 19:42 UTCVolkmar Stingl
11th Jun 2017 20:57 UTCErik Vercammen Expert
11th Jun 2017 21:06 UTCWayne Corwin
were all your 'trys' in the exact same spot, over & over in the same line?
12th Jun 2017 01:07 UTCSophiaJoy MB
Wayne,
Yes, I tried the exact same spot, over and over. I tried two lines, and the tool (hardness 7) scratched both.
12th Jun 2017 03:08 UTCDonald B Peck Expert
I recommend collecting samples of each of the first nine minerals in the Mohs series to build a hardness kit. Cleavage blocks work well when they are possible, when they are not a crystal with flat faces and points will work.
sophia
12th Jun 2017 05:39 UTCJoel Dyer
If you deal with quite smooth and flat surfaces from time to time, a refractometer is one of the best ways to differentiate between a large amount of minerals / gemstones. This includes many cabachon stones and natural crystals.
Quartz has much lower refractive indices compared to CZ, which is "over the limit" of traditional refractometers (but not reflectometers). A self-made polariscope also helps to differentitate between isometric and anisotropic minerals / gemstones.
As for differentiating between very clean natural and synthetic amethyst, that's a bit more advanced a subject & I wouldn't want to swear on an origin myself, if the signs are not very clear. Synthetical and also treatment processes have advanced extremely far in the last decades.
Cheers,
Joel
13th Jun 2017 10:20 UTCSophiaJoy MB
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Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 18, 2024 12:05:56