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Home > Almandine Garnet > 4 Ways to Tell if almandine Garnet is Real

4 Ways to Tell if almandine Garnet is Real

Materials like Glass and plastic are sometimes mistakenly sold as natural almandine Garnet. It's advisable to buy from reputable retailers and, if possible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory for authentication. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of almandine Garnet.

1. Check the Color

Real: Real Almandine Garnet exhibits deep red to brownish-red. The color may not be completely uniform due to natural variations.
Fake: Fakes made of glass may tend to have a uniform color throughout, which can be incredibly bright or intense.

2. Inspect the Inclusions

Real: Real Almandine Garnet often contains natural inclusions, such as tiny mineral crystals or internal fractures.
Fake: Fake Almandine Garnet made from glass or plastic more likely to be free of such inclusions. Gas bubbles, or even swirl marks may be observed in glass-made fakes.

3. Hardness Test

Real: Real Almandine Garnets cannot be scratched by a steel nail. After a period of use, real Almandine Garnet typically doesn't exhibit noticeable wear.
Fake: Fake Almandine Garnets made from glass or plastic can be scratched by a steel nail. After a period of use, these low-hardness fakes will show obvious wear and gradually lose their original luster.

4. Touch Test

Real: Real Almandine Garnets feel cold to the touch.
Fake: Plastic-made fakes feel warm to the touch.
Almandine Garnet
Almandine Garnet
A species of Garnet Group, also known as Almandite, Adelaide Ruby, Alabandine Ruby, Carbuncle, Greenlandite, Pyralspite
Scientific name: Almandine
Mineral Group: Garnet Group
Description
Description
The beautifully rich color of almandine Garnet is an excellent clue that it is part of the garnet family. It can be found globally and is often used in jewelry and other decorative objects. When ground down, it is used to create very special sandpaper called "garnet paper." Surprisingly, the discovery of one of the largest specimens of this mineral was in midtown Manhatten!
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