Try for Free
tab list
Rock Identifier
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home > Amazonite > 5 Ways to Tell if amazonite is Real

5 Ways to Tell if amazonite is Real

Natural amazonite is sometimes impregnated with resin to enhance its appearance and often sold as "Icy Amazonite" without disclosure of treatment. While this treated amazonite is priced lower than natural ones, strictly speaking, it's not fake. There is nothing wrong with buying treated amazonite as long as you know what you're purchasing and pay a fair price. Imitations of amazonite are common in the market, especially in bead strands. Over half of the amazonite bead strands sold online are actually imitations made from materials like Calcite and Dyed Quartzite. It's wise to purchase from reputable retailers and, if feasible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of amazonite.

1. Check Product Name

When purchasing Amazonite, be cautious of products labeled as "Icy Amazonite" or "Ice Amazonite." Nearly all items using such names in the market are low-quality Amazonites impregnated with resin, or even dyed quartzite imitations.

2. Visual Inspection

Real: Amazonite is a green, blue-green gem variety of Microcline. Amazonite often exhibits white stripes or spots. While high-quality Amazonite may have fewer white stripes or spots, diligent inspection under light typically reveals subtle markings.
Fake: If the stone appears uniformly colored without any visible white stripes or spots, there may be reason to suspect its authenticity.

3. Hardness Test

Real: Real Amazonite cannot be scratched by a knife.
Fake: Fake Amazonite made from calcite can be easily scratched by a knife.

4. Acetone Test

Natural: Rubbing the natural Amazonite with nail polish remover (acetone) won't cause the gemstone to fade.
Dyed: Swabbing the dyed stone with a Q-tip and some nail polish remover (acetone) might cause it to fade. This method may not be effective for some dyed stones with better colorfastness.
Impregnated: Soak impregnated Amazonite in nail polish remover (acetone) for one hour. Whitish fractures will gradually become evident on the surface of the stone. The longer the soaking time, the more noticeable the changes.

5. Acid Test

Real: No visible reaction will happen when hydrochloric acid or white vinegar is dropped on real Amazonite.
Fake: Fake Amazonite made from calcite exhibits fizzing or effervescence when exposed to hydrochloric acid or white vinegar.
Amazonite
Amazonite
A species of Microcline, also known as Amazon Jade, Pikes Peak Jade
Scientific name: Amazonite
Mineral: Microcline
Description
Description
Amazonite is a rare variety of feldspar. The stone’s greenish-blue colors are used for the creation of beads, cabochons, and tumbled stones. It is not durable, so is best made into earrings or pendants to avoid scratching or breakage. A scarab ring and other carvings made of amazonite were found in King Tut’s tomb in Egypt.
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

Other Rocks You Might Enjoy and How to Tell if They're Real

Img topic
Blue Aventurine
Blue Aventurine is commomly imitated using materials such as Goldstone or Dyed Quartzite. It is wise to buy from reputable retailers and, if feasible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of blue Aventurine.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Turquoise
Low-quality turquoise is often impregnated with resin to enhance color, luster, and stability, known as "Stabilized Turquoise." Although priced lower than natural turquoise, it's not fake. Some prefer its color stability over natural turquoise, which can discolor from skin oils. The current market is flooded with numerous turquoise imitations, including dyed Howlite, dyed Magnesite, Glass, plastic, and minerals like Variscite and Chrysocolla occasionally mistaken for turquoise. Two of the most perplexing products are reconstituted turquoise and lab-created turquoise. The former involves crushing low-quality turquoise into powder, mixing it with resin and dye, raising authenticity doubts. The latter, synthesized by Gilson company, is considered genuine but priced much lower than natural turquoise. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of turquoise.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Bornite
Given the distinctiveness of natural bornite, the majority of bornite available in the market is often acid-treated Chalcopyrite. This treated mineral is less valuable than the natural bornite. It's recommended to buy from reputable retailers and preferably request a certified laboratory testing certificate for verification. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of Bornite.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Crackle Quartz
Crackle Quartz is created by subjecting real clear quartz to high temperatures, then rapidly cooling it with water to create millions of intentional fissures. Hence, crackle Quartz is typically white, and colored varieties available in the market are mostly dyed. Crackle Quartz is occasionally imitated using materials such as Glass and plastic. It is wise to buy from reputable retailers and, if feasible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of crackle Quartz.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Obsidian
Obsidian is often imitated using materials such as Glass, Slag, and plastic. It is wise to buy from reputable retailers and, if feasible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of obsidian.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Clear Quartz
Materials such as Glass, plastic, smelting quartz, and lab-created quartz are commonly utilized to mimic natural clear Quartz. It is advisable to purchase 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 clear Quartz.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Amber
In the current market, materials such as Glass, copal, and plastic are often mislabeled as amber. It's wise to purchase from reputable retailers and, if feasible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of amber.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Jasper
"jasper" as a widely popular name is sometimes used by merchants to label various opaque materials, even if they are not geologically or mineralogically related to real jasper. It is advisable to make purchases from reputable retailers and, if possible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of jasper.
Read More
Arrow