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Fakes & FraudsI'm not sure about this emerald..

7th Dec 2012 17:01 UTCLuca Esposito

Hi there, can anyone help me about this emerald? Is it real in its real matrix or not? Do you know the locality?


Thank you!


Luca

7th Dec 2012 18:05 UTCBob Harman

LUCA , Let me be the first to tell you that I know next to nothing about emeralds and their matrix, but this whole specimen looks like a clever fake. First of all the whole specimen is just "too perfect" looking (Colombia origin??). I can't tell too much about the "emerald" itself; it either is a low end stone or an emerald look a like. It also looks like it has been cleverly glued or otherwise attached to the matrix and made to look too perfect. One easy test would be to put a UV light on the specimen. Many glues will glow under the light and the base of the emerald and matrix might light up giving the fakery away. That is my opinion. CHEERS..........BOB

7th Dec 2012 18:05 UTCGeoffrey Small

It looks like a Muzo, Colombia specimen (Coscuez Mine?). Not certain if glued, etc., though.


-Geoff

7th Dec 2012 21:06 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Look carefully at the base where it is attached to the matrix. It appears from the photos that there are quartz xls penetrating the emerald. So far so good. Now make sure these quartz are where they belong and not added. Odd that the emerald is well crystallised and the quartz not. Try soaking it in acetone, alcohol, and finally water for a few days. It could be real.

8th Dec 2012 01:33 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert

Have an experienced mineral collector or dealer examine the specimen in person to help you determine its authenticity. Don't consult with a jeweler for this; they generally know/care nothing about these aspects of mineralogy.

8th Dec 2012 10:12 UTCRock Currier Expert

I am always super suspicious of Colombian emeralds. They may be the most commonly faked of all specimens. You will need to examine it carefully with a microscope. They are very skilled at faking them in Colombia. They have been doing it for about 100 years. If there is any doubt at all you may have to soak the thing in a powerful solvent like methyl isobutyl keytone for a few days.

8th Dec 2012 12:57 UTCOwen Lewis

I'd guess that its a high Chromium Emerald, probably from Colombia but possibly from Zambia or even elsewhere. You really do need to get in under the microscope of a gemmologist/ mineralogist who specialises who in the study of gem inclusions. Under the eyes of such it should be possible determine whether from Colombia or elsewhere and even between the two main areas in Colombia. There has been intensive study of this over years and there is a lot of excellent reference material available.


Along with that can go confirmation that it is, beyond all doubt, an Emerald, There are many very fakes that are quite convincing enough to pass a casual examination or snapshot. Many of these are even more than 100 years old. That said, I have never seem a faked fully formed Emerald crystal - only synthetics seem suited to passing off in this form :-)


As to the integrity of the whole specimen - and given the Emerald's substantial transparency - the intimacy of the interfacing of the Emerald and matrix without sign of glue or bubbles (the world's greatest snitches) can be confirmed under the microscope by any who look for such signs regularly as a matter of routine.

8th Dec 2012 16:00 UTCWayne Corwin

Luca


Can you post photos from the top down and from the back please?


Wayne

9th Dec 2012 09:56 UTCLuca Esposito

Thank you for all your reply and your advices. Unfortunately I haven't got other photos about this specimen.


Luca

16th Dec 2012 19:21 UTCKristopher Dingfield

To me it looks like it was cut to fit the matrix and glued on.

19th Dec 2012 14:11 UTCTim Jokela Jr

I'd suggest it's legit; the base of the xl meets the calcite xls the way it should.


Having said that... do not buy a Colombian emerald sight unseen. You want to have it in hand, under good light, with at least a loupe, and much more preferably with a microscope to examine for repairs or outright fakery.


The mining process produces lots of loose emeralds. Add matrix and value goes up exponentially, so they often do.
 
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