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Home > Elbaite > 6 Ways to Tell if elbaite is Real

6 Ways to Tell if elbaite is Real

Materials like Glass, Dyed Quartzite, Cubic Zirconia, Crackle Quartz, plastic, and synthetic spinel are often used to imitate elbaite. It is recommended to buy from reputable retailers and preferably request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of elbaite.

1. Check the Origin

Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, the United States, and Afghanistan are the primary suppliers of Elbaite on the market. Additionally, countries like Madagascar, Myanmar, and Russia also produce Elbaite, but in smaller quantities. When buying Elbaite, ask the seller about its source. If it's not from these countries, you should conduct further tests for authentication.

2. Check Crystal Habit

Real Elbaite typically forms long, slender, and three-sided prisms, with longitudinal grooves running along their length. The cross-section of these prismatic crystals often features a rounded triangle shape.

3. Check the Color

Real: Real Elbaite showcases a wide variety of colors and shades. One of the unique features of Elbaite is the occurrence of multiple colors in the same crystal, a phenomenon known as color zoning.
Fake: Imitations made from dyed crackle quartz and dyed quartzite are often dyed vibrant neon colors. When closely examined under intense lighting, these dyed specimens reveal concentrated color along fractures.

4. Inspect the Inclusions

Real: Real Elbaite often contains natural inclusions, such as thread-like cavities and internal fractures.
Fake: Fakes made from man-made materials such as glass, cubic zirconia, synthetic spinel, or plastic usually appear flawless.

5. Hardness Test

Real: Real Elbaite is harder than glass, making it capable of easily scratching glass. After a period of use, real Elbaite typically doesn't exhibit noticeable wear.
Fake: Fake Elbaite made from glass or plastic cannot scratch glass. Over time, these low-hardness imitations will exhibit noticeable wear and gradually lose their original luster.

6. Discover Color Change at Different Angles

Real Elbaite typically exhibits strong pleochroism, displaying different colors when observed from different angles. For example, when you rotate a green Elbaite, you may observe a color shift from yellow-green to green. Fake Elbaite often lacks this characteristic.
Elbaite
Elbaite
A species of Tourmaline Group, also known as Rubellite
Scientific name: Elbaite
Mineral Group: Tourmaline Group
Description
Description
Elbaite is an incredibly captivating gem that can present itself in almost any color of the rainbow. Its clarity and consistency make it one of the most desirable minerals for collectors. Demand for this darling gem has skyrocketed, with some varieties costing upwards of $15,000 USD per carat!
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