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Home > Lapis Lazuli > 5 Ways to Tell if lapis Lazuli is Real

5 Ways to Tell if lapis Lazuli is Real

Low-quality lapis Lazuli may be dyed to enhance its color and hide any white calcite inclusions. This treatment is unstable and often requires a coating of colorless wax to prevent fading. It's advisable to wipe the stone with alcohol before wearing to ensure colorfastness and prevent dye from staining clothes or skin. There are products on the market claiming to be "Synthetic Lapis Lazuli," which actually possess different physical and chemical properties from real lapis Lazuli, making them mere counterfeits. Materials like Glass, Sodalite, dyed Howlite, dyed Magnesite, dyed Jasper, and plastic are often used to imitate lapis Lazuli. 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 lapis Lazuli.

1. Check Product Name

When purchasing Lapis Lazuli, caution against unusual names like "Swiss Lapis," suggesting dyed jasper instead of real Lapis Lazuli. Also, beware of so-called "Synthetic Lapis Lazuli" in the market; it's not true synthetic Lapis Lazuli but an imitation introduced by Gilson company, primarily composed of hydrous zinc phosphates.

2. Check Transparency with a Flashlight

Real: Real Lapis Lazuli is opaque and does not allow light to pass through when illuminated with a flashlight.
Fake: Fake Lapis Lazuli made of glass, plastic or sodalite may appear translucent, allowing slight light transmission when illuminated with a flashlight.

3. Check for Golden Pyrite Grains

Real: Golden pyrite and white calcite inclusions are commonly found in real Lapis Lazuli. Pyrite grains tend to be unevenly distributed and have irregular outlines.
Fake: In most fake instances, golden specks are missing. An exception is the so-called "Synthetic Lapis Lazuli" produced by Gilson company, where golden specks can be present, yet arranged in a regular pattern.

4. Touch Test

Real: Real Lapis Lazuli feels cold to the touch.
Fake: Plastic-made fakes feel warm to the touch.

5. Acetone Test

Natural: Rubbing the natural Lapis Lazuli with nail polish remover (acetone) won't cause the stone to fade.
Dyed: Swabbing dyed stones such as dyed lapis lazuli, dyed howlite, dyed magnesite, and dyed jasper with a Q-tip and some nail polish remover (acetone) might cause fading.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli
A species of Metamorphic, also known as Lazurite
Scientific name: Lapis Lazuli
RockType: Metamorphic
Description
Description
Lapis Lazuli's beautiful blue coloration has been used by artists for thousands of years as raw material for sculpting, pigment for frescoes and paintings, and source rock for gems and jewelry. Afghanistan is the world's leading source of lapis Lazuli. Many ancient civilizations believed it had religious significance and reflected their rulers’ high status. Michelangelo used it for the blue colors in his Sistine Chapel frescoes.
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