Fake Emerald & Old Tricks

Emeralds are in the Big Three Gems, and mistakes when buying are huge losses. This is one of the oldest scams, and how to identify so YOU don't lose.
As long as they are directly disclosed, all treatments may be acceptable, but knowledge is the first step to knowing what you believe is good or not.
Many thanks to GCI Lab Bangkok for supplying these samples and their commitment to community awareness of gemstone treatments. Contact at: gcilab.com
Explore more and contact me directly at:
www.GemShepherd.com

[@awesomysticehab4493]

I have been exclusively dealing in emeralds for almost fifteen years and I must say that I love your channel. Thank you for your effort.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad to serve, and thank you for your kind words.

[@davidariamirroarkyoung]

How hard is it to find good quality emerald that has not been oil treated and what is the price difference between lightly oiled and unoiled?

[@syedmuhammaddanielhassnain5990]

​@@davidariamirroarkyoung here in Colombia it's easy bro

[@shardana7422]

I still remember that painful moment I found out my only Emerald was fake.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

It is indeed a trauma for many. A friend of mine had a grandmother's ring from before the war, so it must be emerald right?! Unfortunately it was a synthetic spinel.

[@DApostate]

True, acetone nail polish remover works for the AA and below. I use various lights when getting better stones. I buy risky parcels. The scary thing is most of often even bad ones have a few genuine emeralds. This can make these parcels still worth it. I bought over 200 carats of emerald for $5 on Etsy once. I was sure it would be greed dyed opaque Beryl. I got lucky with 271 carats of Columbian emeralds. The issue would be that half the big stones were cut to deep. Sometimes private sellers are cashing out an old family collection. They may not understand the full value or over value stones. Emeralds aren't these clean pieces of glass seen on TV. I own tens of thousands of emeralds. Only 2 are clean to the eye. That is like seeing a unicorn with emeralds.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

An excellent anecdote - as your acquisition of those genuine emeralds and your recognition of them is the difference between other people who just had piles of "estate stuff" or someone else's collection. Emeralds are complex among an already complex industry, I hear you.

[@ryanprice748]

Took my colombian emerald ring to my jeweler to have him put bb's on it because it was a bit loose. They put the bb's on and then put it in the ultrasonic cleaner. Needless to say it fractured it. I am going pay them a visit tomorrow to try to come to a resolution. Ugh.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

OH wow, i'm sorry to hear that Ryan. I guess I need to do a video on emeralds in the ultrasonic, and then get this channel big enough so that every jeweler will have definitely seen the video XD

[@roberttyrrell2250]

Great vid for Less experienced ppl. Scammers were also melting old TV picture tube glass, adding a cpl 7-Up bottles. Toss in a bit of graphite. Then pull the glass as it cools. The elongated air bubbles & graphite, mimic straition/ inclusions of emeralds. Not sure they still do it(??) as Glass components become harder to find.(??) Street mkts, Tourist traps, Ebay were loaded with them.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Jeeze - i'm always impressed by the creativity and performer's panache of scammers. These days though - if someone goes with intention to buy emerald and doesn't have a dichroscope (USD 20?) or polarized sunglasses... i've got very little pity. A large part of why I build this channel is so no one gets to say "I didn't know" if they did *ANY* research. Titanic undertaking, but hey... we all need to contribute in the way that we see before us eh?

[@roberttyrrell2250]

@@GemologyforSchmucks You're doing an awesome job. Any time we can educate the public, it only helps the industry. Keep up the great VDOs

[@Rev8]

If you're ever stuck thinking of video ideas, a comparison and your personal thoughts on Natural diamond vs CVD vs Moissanite would be great, and seems to always get popular through the algorithm. Lots of close up B-Roll of your beautiful gemstones while youre talking are also very much appreciated =)

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for the suggestion ~ I think some videos on diamonds, synthetics and simulants would be a great idea for numbers for sure.

[@peterchesko9537]

Thanks again for your fun, spot on shows. As an apprentice I built a custom ring and then the shop owner set the center stone. An emerald cut Colombian emerald. After he'd pushed the prongs and cleaned it up he left it on the his bench. Minutes later we all heard a "clitch" and were puzzled. Historically fraught with problems; durability first, I've avoided them for my entire career. I've offered garnet and tourmaline, chrome types ya know, or my friends down the street. And fakes? one can never be too careful... or crafty.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for your kind words and your story, Peter. Emeralds are that right blend of alluring and terrifying. Maybe some day XD

[@adiem1653]

Great video - I realise an 'emerald' I just bought off fleabay has the heat cracking and dye dipping - looks nice but obviously not genuine 😢

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Ooo~ got a piece of "tuition" in the school of life. It's a nice selling tool to have though if you get into dealing with stones, to help people understand that you have character in your dealings.

[@katacsongradi8268]

Dear Peter, I own a fake emerald which is one thin layer of emerald green epoxy resin that can be found on the table side and transparent epoxy resin on the culet side of the stone. It is in a sterling silver ring of mine. This is the new craze from China. You have to inspect the jewelry before buying it. Greetings and best wishes from Budapest Hungary.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you for the comment~ yes treated and imitation stones have been a big part of the gem and jewelry trade for thousands of years. The one good thing is that it allows for an attractive object to be sold at a muuuuch lower price point than a natural stone of similar colour. There is a place for everything, as long as the sellers are honest. Cheers

[@victorp9897]

It is best to use a jewelry loupe and definitely a Chelsea filter! Although, for example, Brazilian emeralds do not respond to the Chelsea filter.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

For emerald origins, a chelsea filter can provide some interesting clues indeed.

[@debramoss2267]

I have a crisis of conscience over a 'sapphire' which is not a sapphire. I am keenly aware of the poverty there and know that just bad, truthful review can collapse a whole family family threatening their vulnerable people. Children starve. Babies don't survive. But I am also aware that others may receive one and currently money is hard come by, not as drastic outcomes, but the disappointment of a faux stone in an engagement ring would be heartbreaking if saved up for. Stumped 😕

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Debra - free market business is a natural filter. Poverty is indeed cruel and twists a lot of people, but my experience is that we can't actually help people by rewarding deceitful behaviour. If someone is content to be a liar and a thief when they're poor, they'll do the same if they get to a position of having a lot of money. I've seen this. The one who lies and cajoles to get rich on a single deal or a few will end up poor again. I've seen this also. Truly wealthy people build their money over time with consistent behaviour. My suggestion for you, to do with as you feel is right, is to focus on buying what you believe to be good from people that you believe to be trustworthy. The honest dealers and brokers are the one's who will survive in the long term, even through difficult times.

[@violetvioletviolet1]

great episode! lots of good info so I don't fall for some deceiver! thanks so much! your my fav for learning all about gems!!! guess I'm a schmuck !? if I'm ever half as good as you sir, I will be a happy schmuck!!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks~ and welcome to good company, if I say so myself ^_^ The first step to learning is accepting that you may have something to learn.

[@rainsticklandguitartalk9483]

I love that giant red 'gem' on your desk/table. I don't care about its value...lol. I'm a total sucker for even fake gems from a visual perspective.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

We've all got our desires eh~

[@lifeaddict]

A popular jeweler in pakistan ( costume jewelery and he doesn’t have that much knowledge) said to me why is the lab calling the emerald a “natural (dyed) emerald” he even said he contacted the lab and said why don’t they put the dyed in the comments only 😅, I told him straight that is deception, as treatments such as oiling and dying are 2 different things

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Absolutely - many play this game and are just looking for their own advantage. Frankly it defeats the point of using a lab, and it's one of the fastest ways for a lab to ruin its reputation. In Chinese we have a saying that I like: "You can eat what whatever you want, but you cant say whatever you want."

[@smashstuff86]

I recently saw an emerald for a price that seemed too good to be true. I wish this video existed then.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad my work is of service ~ even if it is a bit late for that opportunity. That said - we keep looking towards the future for opportunities eh? Who knows what the next chance will be like.

[@conormartin7416]

Can you make a video for telling apart opaque fake & real gems? Great video

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Conor, thanks for reaching out. Opaque gems are such a wide range that it's not really feasible to go into everything in a single video. Opaque gems will still give you a Refractive index reading, as long as the polish is decent, so that is where most of us start, and may follow it up with a specific gravity test. Cheers

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Nice share Peter. Dropping the stones in lab acetone is a dead giveaway. 😀

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Rog ~ typically so, and if you own the stone, it's fine. If its a suspect stone owned by someone else... You might be in for some drama though eh? Better to loupe it and leave it in my opinion. Ain't my hill to die on.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@@GemologyforSchmucks lolZ, yea only if it’s my own deffo fake I bought for £1, just to test it. 😂

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@rogerhargreaves2272 1 pound sterling only?! That sounds like a steal of a deal for a worthy fake. Couldn't buy nor cut it for that price.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Ha yea, I bought it as an example of a fake stone. I think it’s green glass as the specific gravity was not Beryl. Old beer bottles lolZ.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@rogerhargreaves2272 Ah well ~ this is the perfect opportunity for a dichroscope or polarized sunglasses to prove their worth. Could be fun at the least eh?

[@lc4n333]

There are many reasons I don't collect emeralds anymore mainly because it is so hard to get a real deal and even if I got the real ones they are not a "good enough" quality for my taste. My alternative green gems are tourmaline and tsavorite. I can get "good enough" quality for better price. They are good gems but cheaper just because they are not emerald.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Truth - in the big three (and PARTICULARLY with emerald and ruby)... the low and medium commercial qualities are still expensive, but quite frankly ugly. It wasn't until I was able to work alongside someone sourcing excellent quality Panjshir emeralds that I changed my mind. Oh boy did I change my mind. For others that want a green stone with a budget, i'd generally agree with you, tourmaline and tsavorite provide a better safer and more affordable option for most people. That is... unless you're going for a specific colour. Emerald holds many enticing secrets.

[@lc4n333]

Tourmaline can immitate the bluish green emerald. Tsavorite have pure green color which is very vibrant.

[@LDiamondz]

@@lc4n333 I enjoyed reading this exchange. I would say chrome diopside is a beautiful green gem, also. If you get a good one.

[@Rev8]

I feel like the average buyer is dangerously uneducated about gemstones. I've been binge watching all your videos and i'm still not confident to buy from random sources. How common are the scams? Seems like theres so much opportunity for them...

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Regarding the average buyer, you're absolutely right. It's perhaps not their fault though, as there is immense complexity in the object of desire. How common are scams? I think the prevalence of scams goes up when people feel they can profit without losing a valuable reputation. High value or high turnover selling engines don't typically engage in scams because their momentum is valuable. Back alley cretins that sell a single parcel or stone ... much more danger prone. Inside the industry, your network is an important safety "net." Someone who defrauds someone once in the market, very quickly runs out of other people to do any kind of business with, whether buying or selling. Knowledge and wisdom help us to avoid such pitfalls, and of course the right people alongside.

[@LDiamondz]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Curious to know what your opinion is on the various gemstone and jewelry television networks that sell items on TV. Are they more likely to sell legitimate real stones, even if a lesser quality? They'd be out of business, if they sold fakes regularly, wouldn't they, Peter? Thanks for all your videos, always well done, and to the point.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@LDiamondz Hi ~ typically the major jewelry television sales platforms are selling what they claim they are selling. What the value point is of these gems... that's a different question that needs market research to know for sure.

[@LDiamondz]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Thank you for the reply. I've always been a bit wary of these networks. They sell gemstones I've never seen a dealer sell. Like Iolite, or orthoclase, which are very inexpensive anyway. Thank you!

[@mastermechanicfelipe4641]

Do you restore gemstones? I have a pink tourmaline ring that the stone is scratched, can you restore the stone?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi ~ while I do have the skill-set, I'm not cutting stones at the moment. There may be some other lapidaries in your area that can take care of that for you.

[@peterRobinson10101]

Just look up your local lapidary club and attend a meeting with the stone.

[@mastermechanicfelipe4641]

@@peterRobinson10101 thanks for the input

[@mastermechanicfelipe4641]

@@GemologyforSchmucks thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@jamesmorton-taylor7081]

nice video very informative defenitive follow!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks very much ~ welcome to the channel.

[@zillsburyy1]

so many fakes out there, do u recommend any place to buy emeralds online? maybe i'll stick with jade

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Many fakes indeed, and incorrectly represented real stones aswell. Buying online is difficult without having a trusted source. I'm fortunate that I have the opportunity to live so near a major gem trade center. This allows me to visit in person and curate gemstones for my clients - right qualities for the right price.

[@RosadosVentos963]

Sim, não só os chineses,os russos pesquisem sobre diamantes e esmeraldas sintética Rússia.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Yes, there are a few major players in that game. Cheers~

[@thai-duytran6997]

Is it true that natural emerald ls very prone to actually fade in colour over time if exposed to sunlight?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

A good question ~ colour stability for some gemstones is an issue, but it is not expected in Emerald. Trace element chemistry is what gives a lot of gems their colour(such as chromium and possibly iron in emeralds), and those colours are expected to be stable. Some stones gain their colour because of radiation, either naturally in the earth or from machines. Yellow and orange sapphire are two stones that CAN have their colour fade with exposure to sunlight. Kunzite is another.

[@bebetter9600]

I’m getting a refraction index of 1.55 for a supposed “Emerald”. It glows green with a UV light not really fluorescent per say but lights up. What stone is this or could it possibly be an actual emerald? It had a lot of inclusions and is a medium green.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

i'd confirm that the stone is birefringent/doubly refractive before going further. The types of inclusions will be helpful indicators. UV isn't something i'd put much faith in regardless.

[@AnonaMoose94]

If one does happen to have this fake emerald could the coating be removed from the treated stone

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Yes. Acetone will do the job in a LARGE amount of cases. If you own the stone, do whatever you want~ if you haven't bought it yet, please make sure you get direct consent from the owner to avoid unnecessary conflict.

[@squidgaming7537]

can’t wait to get this job it’s my dream job i got a collection of gemstones

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Gemstones are great - to be surrounded by beauty and value all the time is a major perk of the trade. That said - gemstones are more of a lifestyle than a job. They have a way of taking over XD

[@squidgaming7537]

@@GemologyforSchmucks nice

[@squidgaming7537]

@@GemologyforSchmucks nice

[@cryptsncastles1105]

Youre the best ty hope all is well.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you, you're very kind.

[@asifkhan-tg3kl]

Su su sweet g I m work natural emerald cabochon jewellery from Pakistan

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Emeralds have been famous throughout history for good reason.

[@bigbarkingdog2010]

Thank you. Interesting.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

My pleasure ~ I hope you enjoy my other videos aswell.

[@CaptainMyCaptain33]

These days they are dying the oil and doing a std oil treatment and the colored died oils fill the cracks and make the stone look green. I’ve even seen this done with glass. They are all over EBay coming from various Indian sellers (edit:, Indian as in coming from India). So beware buyers. A pair of 14ct “Colombian” Muzo emeralds will never be $15. Lol. Nor any other real emerald.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Coloured dye has definitely been around and it is a frustrating trick indeed. This is why most people that I know that deal with stones buy stones in person, or only on condition with folk they know and trust. I'd be hard pressed to trust someone who is selling "the best stone ever" on a public auction with no reputation to lose. Consequently I don't buy stones that way either.

[@shivshah697]

Can you please make a video on resin treated emeralds?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

That is a great suggestion - thanks

[@LDiamondz]

I'd love to see this, also. I have a 2 ct emerald, and I think it might have been treated with resin. Is it commonplace to do that to an emerald? Thanks.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@LDiamondz resins and oils are both commonly used with emeralds. Now it's quite common to use a resin called "opticon" which is closer to the refractive index of beryl/emerald, effectively making any cracks invisible. Often this is used without the hardening agent, so its just a viscous liquid. Not something to "worry" about, as clarity enhancement is a standard process for the vast majority of emeralds in the market and has been for a very very long time.

[@LDiamondz]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Thank you for clarifying that for me. I did the 'acetone' test on it, and it didn't change the color or surface shine at all, so now, I'm happy! It's a beautiful gem, some inclusions, but the clarity is excellent. Columbian, green with a tinge of yellowish. Sorry, I just can't stop talking about gemstones with anyone who will listen. You know that passion! Thanks, Peter. :)

[@johnathonmullis4234]

Great video very informative

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks~

[@KarishmaKhoja97]

Hi, Peter! Thank you for this video. I recently won a giveaway and the prize was a "neon" emerald from Colombia. It glows in the dark. Im sensing that its fake but is there any tiny chance it could be real? Thank you!!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@KarishmaKhoja97 glows in the dark, literally? No light around and you can see it? That would be a big ol’ red flag.

[@asifyahri7165]

Listen mate focke everything just tell me what's real what's fake don't talk too much

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Asif, you may find if you listen to the content that you yourself will be able to tell what's real and fake. That's why I talk so much.

[@5MIKESTV]

Lmfao riiight. I would have taken a college course.

[@thoralfgraetz857]

I love you´re videos!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Thoralf~

[@TopazStones]

Hi plz inform us about topaz

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I will keep that in mind for the future~

[@AijinDomme]

Imitation emerald i dont mind coz it's better to our environment than the natural mined emerald, mining distract or ruin our environment .

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Coco Chanel also enjoyed imitation pearls~ everyone has their priorities.

[@cuttinstones3024]

It’s just because you’re cheap. You’re not doing it to save the environment, lmao. Be real.

[@malseed01]

Coating coding

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

It can be a conundrum.

[@aung3627]

အနီရောင်ကျောက်တုံးကကြီးမာလှသည်

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you~

[@tommiller1315]

You jump from grams to carats, how many of one in the other? Thanks for the entertainment 😁

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Cheers Tom, measurements are a constant juggle, and try though I might, they slip through the cracks at times. One gram is 5 carats (0.2g). Rough is typically regarded by the gram in the industry, though you'll see carats used on Ebay etc because the larger numbers make it seem bigger. Thanks for calling me on it, and may your way go straight before your feet.

[@ГрустныйШмель-ш8м]

😇

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Cheers and thanks~