Identifying real and fake turquoise

[@GeoRockNerd]

A few tricks I’ve learned may help others. Real turquoise is cold to touch because it is stone. If it’s resin impregnated or dyed plastic it won’t usually be cold to the touch or as dense as a real stone. If the matrix has a repeating pattern or you don’t feel a subtle seam or unevenness between colored parts and the matrix, that’s a red flag. If you have turquoise at home you want to test, there’s a couple easy tricks. Acetone on a q-tip rubbed vigorously on the stone will sometimes leach the dye out of a stone like a dyed howlite. If you get black or grey that can just be dirt or matrix material, but if any blue or green shows up, you’re looking at a dyed stone. The other test is a hot needle test. Heat up the end of a needle or thin metal tool in a flame and touch it to an inconspicuous spot on the stone, preferably the back if possible (unless it has a backing attached!). A natural stone will have no reaction or color change or smell. A resin impregnated or plastic piece will melt, discolor and smell bad.

[@goesfarfliesnear1447]

I've never heard your tips but as a turquoise fan, find them very helpful. Thank you! I would add to look at the setting-if it's cheap metal (not marked as silver in any way), then you'll have a good idea of what you're looking at. The design of a piece can be a giveaway too and it's helpful to educate oneself on different designers. It's always been one of my faves and I have a mix of uber expensive with costume grade. Love it with onyx and amber too.

[@GeoRockNerd]

@@goesfarfliesnear1447 Yes, excellent point about examining settings/hallmarks, absolutely! If the setting is cheap, chances are the “turquoise” is fake too! I also love turquoise with amber or carnelian, and even amethyst!

[@msdee693]

I found a very thick turquoise bangle bracelet at a thrift store for 2.00. It's heavy & very cold to the touch. It's become my favourite piece of jewellery. 💗

[@bozohead4702]

Thanks, so helpful

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

1️⃣🤫

[@Connie-B]

Back in the 70's when turquoise was such a rage, it seemed everyone was on the bandwagon to sell.The lady I bought all my turquoise from told me the best thing to do if somebody is trying to sell you the stone is to "flick your bic" and ask if you can touch the stone with the fire from the lighter.She said if it was the real deal, it wouldn't hurt the stone and such but if the seller denied you or had a fit then pass it up as it was most likely fake and/or plastic. Worked for me!

[@abbaski7546]

Hi

[@curtiseverett1671]

Hahaha if you won't let me flick my Bic......I'm outta here!!! I remember that ad campaign! (I am 62 and proud of it!)

[@Connie-B]

yep I'm older than that and was flickin my bic ever since it came out.😆@@curtiseverett1671

[@MrSpock-hw7mm]

Turquoise buyers beware! Many gem shops or online sellers are selling dyed howlite or dyed magnesite which has the web pattern similar to turquoise, a good test to see if you have a fake piece is put acetone on a cotton swab and rub it on the stone if color comes off that's a dead giveaway that it's not real. Also "African turquoise" is another stone people sell as turquoise but it is just jasper. Do some extensive research on genuine turquoise before buying any, hope this helps!

[@diannameade495]

One hell of a dancer. He danced all around the questions and subject.💃

[@Kawaii159qwerthvd]

LOL

[@eugeneteo9664]

he is the turquoise dancer.

[@PokemonDallas]

Lol! So we still don’t know how to tell the difference. But it was a lovely display . 🕺🏻 🕺🏻💃🏽💃🏽

[@-jamesbond]

@@PokemonDallas the fake stuff is plastic or dyed white rock. rubbing dyed stone with acetone will remove the blue color. The real stuff is an actual stone thats been sanded and polished. It can be tricky becuz well polished stones seem fake sometimes.( Cabachons)

[@PokemonDallas]

@@-jamesbond thank you! it does seem like maybe it isn’t hard to tell if you have a real piece but identifying which mine and where it came from is definitely the almost impossible part, if you do not know the history of the piece in question. So even though it seemed like this man didn’t answer the question, the question itself is very complex. There are some great videos here on KZbin that dive a bit deeper. Cheers!

[@K3Flyguy]

As a jewelery designer and gemstone polisher. I work with said materials frequently. Without extensive testing and knowledge anyone could be fooled if buying care lessly. On the other hand when I buy from one of my suppliers, I know his reputation and his business manners. I have cut everything including very expensive material as well as dimestore quality material. Honestly, if it is worked well and set in proper settings, it all can make some very stunning jewlery. Best advise if it seems like too good of a deal to be true, then it is. There are no screaming bargains or giveaways in the business! No such thing as " investment jewelery" ! I thought he did a good job explaining in the very short time he had.

[@GoGreen1977]

I have picked up a couple of "dead pawn" Navajo pieces from consignment shops where the owner didn't know what they had. I checked the jewelers' marks on both at the time and verified with experts later. I got great pieces for way less than they should be worth. I'm not planning to sell, anyway.

[@judithhume9321]

So the way to identify real turquoise is by relying on the seller telling you it's real? I don't think so. This video doesn't do what it says it will do.

[@TheEnAheL]

Judi Hume Nooo..there are sellers U can´t trust..BUT..there are better videos onKZbin..I did find a neckless..I don´t know IF it is real..BUT..the stones feels cold (like stones do) Sooo..I might have found a real turquoise neckless..for only..20kr..must be..around 2american$..the stones don´t mind beeing recycled..I did try a fireTest..2 see IF IT WAS PLASTIC..no..it didn´t melt..OR got black (as plastic might from fire?)

[@TeselectaOperatah]

This video doesn't talk about spotting dyed gemstones made to look like turquoise. Most inexpensive turquoise found is dyed howlite or magnesite, two white, porous stones with dark veining. You can find examples online

[@jeanschiffman]

@@TeselectaOperatah 67

[@MrTNorris67]

I have been researching it a bit. This video was very vague in regards to telling natural turquoise from imitation turquoise. Less than 12% of natural turquoise does not need stabilizing Natural Turquoise is stabilized by soaking it or pressurizing resins or acrylic compounds into the pores of the stone, resulting in affordable, higher quality stones and finished jewelry. 90% of the Turquoise on the market is actually dyed Howlite? Howlite is an absorbent white mineral that can be dyed in almost any color The hardness for Howlite is 3.5 whereas the hardness for most turquoise is 5-6. this is kind of a difficult test, so basically if your stones scratch easily then they are more than likely dyed Howlite. If your Turquoise is dyed the acetone qtip method might damage your stone so do it on a part that does not show. If blue comes off on the qtip- and the stone has a lighter or white spot-it is probably howlite that has been dyed.(the inside of the stone will still be white) Rainy days are not good for this scenario, for it can lighten your turquoise. The Price is usually the best way to tell if your turquoise is natural or has been dyed . If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. a strand of perfectly matching amazing blue Turquoise beads In nature would be very difficult to find a bunch of Turquoise beads that have exactly the same color. Find someone you trust, find out where the stones came from and do the above tests. (fire will ruin imitation turquoise so I would use the acetone method instead)

[@yateleyhypnotherapy2111]

I knew if I looked in the comments someone would actually help all of us angry frustrated people. Love you EqualRights, & even more after I saw your name. Xxx

[@f.u.noseyassstalker7147]

Well thank you, I really appreciate this lesson. So much good information you have shared. This white man being interviewed by this other white man is only talking about prices and it's coming off like exploitation. So I appreciate your detailed summary on how to tell real from fake and how to do a test that's the important part. There are people up here and the Northwest that are selling so-called turquoise, some of them even claim to be native blood but most of us can tell that they're not native blood these are the $5 Indian white people running around with no culture and no connection to who they are, they're just the basic white person who doesn't want to be white.

[@NiekeAkosah-jv5ft]

The price might not be the best way if someone is a con, putting a high price so the naive buyer will think it must be the real deal (unless it's a reputable jewelry store)

[@canadiantraveller281]

Take a hammer to it. Best way to find out what is inside ( I'm talking gemstone beads "

[@matahmed5593]

He knows how to escape from a question he doesnt know the answer.

[@allaboutroofing2]

What question did he 'escape' from? Maybe I missed it.

[@heathermimiwahlquist5587]

ZERO information about how to determine real vs fake.

[@baltic4296]

"Real/Natural" is certified.

[@DD-hy1nl]

Exactly! Too confusing, not good infor on the fake turquoise....

[@PRCutie101]

I've noticed a trend with all these real vs. fake turqouise videos... None of them explain shit! LoL

[@jayasujanani4798]

Baltic “

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

So what does dyed and waxed natural mean? Fire Mountain gems sells it. Claims the dye enhances the colors.

[@JeffAPierson]

It is always hard for technical experts make things simple, but his explanation imho is spot on.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

He didn’t say $hit

[@frankpalmer7304]

I don't know about turquoise, but I can now identify fake interviews.

[@RedVelvetRabbit]

Sadly no real information on how to identify imitation turquoise.

[@SufiKingdom]

I didn’t learn how to identify real vs fake Turquoise.

[@alirezapanahie9253]

the best is from iran .

[@JohnSmith-un9fy]

No help at all!

[@psychicerinsears]

John Smith I like this guy

[@honeybsweetnectar1713]

John Smith I was thinking the same thing.... I think sometimes people don't really want to reveal their secrets or what they know, so they give you a bullshit answer

[@blackopal3138]

@@honeybsweetnectar1713 - It's FOX, I thought bullshit was their mandate, no??

[@blackopal3138]

Lol, I missed it at first.... Is this the John Smith I debated with a few months ago on the Peterson-Harris discourses?

[@katielyb]

The guy is telling you to ask for documentation on the turquoise you're buying and that the mining location, which will be listed on the documentation, determines the value of the turquoise. It takes a very trained eye to be able to just look at the stone and determine where it came from. And if it's straight plastic you'll know. It'll be lighter and sound like plastic when tapped against other beads. Whereas stone sounds more like glass. If you're not all that interested in the value of the turquoise you probably won't be buying it from serious sellers who have proof of where their turquoise came from. He also talks about how lower grade turquoise is made through filling processes and reconstitution methods. Every time I've bought semi precious beads at craft stores the label states when it's reconstituted. Filling and reconstituted gemstone beads are still in fact made with natural stone it's just not a high grade so it's put through processes that make it presentable for jewelry making. Either you're super picky about having good quality gemstones that you'll pay thousands of dollars for or you're not and satisfied with it just being the real thing. Does this help?

[@Xenosophia]

the interview is useless. Next time interview someone who actually cares to answer what he is asked :)

[@arinic7]

Xenosophia exactly!!

[@williamthedabberlul2547]

Wow. So true statement , X!

[@katielyb]

He answered the question quite well I think.

[@Greg042869]

@@katielyb No he didn't.

[@PRCutie101]

Umm no he didn't lol I left just as confused as I was when the video started lol 😂

[@rodicapopescu2038]

Beautiful exposition of materials and gem stones ! Unfortunately we leave this video as we were at its beginning, confused, without knowing how to differentiate between custom turqoise and gem stones.. :((

[@biggergurlthanu]

This article said nothing how to spot real from fake...hot needle test, if it's fake, it will melt. Can also do the acetone test with a q-tip, if the color rubs off its fake.

[@sandybeach368]

thank you !!!

[@katielyb]

Actually it said everything about it. The only way to know for sure is to buy it from a highly reputable source that can provide documents backing the stones mining source.

[@blackopal3138]

And if it passes both of those it's real, right? lol You learned nothing and now spread your ignorance to others...

[@blackopal3138]

@@sandybeach368 - Don't listen to comments, listen to the video again. Their is plenty of 'fake' turquoise that passes both those tests. As well, if it gives off color to an acid it means it is 'dyed' not fake, and if it has melt-like qualities it may still have a fair amount of turquoise in it. It is a complicated process to identify some stones, it's not an easy one line answer. The only test that is acceptable professionally is a chemical test where they grind a sample into powder and expose it to different controls to determine the exact molecular constitution of the rock. This constitution along with the crystalline structure is how gemstones are classified and named and therefore identified.... But guess what, Ms. Becky, nobody selling you a stone is going to let you poke it with hot needles or rub it with acid.

[@joycemccrory1392]

Just wanted an answer to the question. Thank you Becky Carlson!

[@barberess]

Ugh waste... you misrepresented the content of this video, irony.

[@Personal-Opinion-]

😂

[@MrWhisperASMR]

So basically there is no easy way to tell real from fake.

[@corners3755]

a magnifying glass or a hot needle

[@pandrawellman9458]

Evilos yes there is

[@MrTNorris67]

I have been researching it a bit. This video was very vague in regards to telling natural turquoise from imitation turquoise. Less than 12% of natural turquoise does not need stabilizing Natural Turquoise is stabilized by soaking it or pressurizing resins or acrylic compounds into the pores of the stone, resulting in affordable, higher quality stones and finished jewelry. 90% of the Turquoise on the market is actually dyed Howlite? Howlite is an absorbent white mineral that can be dyed in almost any color The hardness for Howlite is 3.5 whereas the hardness for most turquoise is 5-6. this is kind of a difficult test, so basically if your stones scratch easily then they are more than likely dyed Howlite. If your Turquoise is dyed the acetone qtip method might damage your stone so do it on a part that does not show. If blue comes off on the qtip- and the stone has a lighter or white spot-it is probably howlite that has been dyed.(the inside of the stone will still be white) Rainy days are not good for this scenario, for it can lighten your turquoise. The Price is usually the best way to tell if your turquoise is natural or has been dyed . If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. a strand of perfectly matching amazing blue Turquoise beads In nature would be very difficult to find a bunch of Turquoise beads that have exactly the same color. Find someone you trust, find out where the stones came from and do the above tests. (fire will ruin imitation turquoise so I would use the acetone method instead)

[@msj.randel1496]

You can't have a hot needle at a store..when looking to buy torquoise..

[@rodicapopescu2038]

Yes there are ways to tell the differences between fake and real stones

[@JudiChristopher]

He did not answer the question.... "How do you know what is fake and what is not fake.." He was talking about "Natural" etc... what and how the shop sells it... that still does NOT tell us how WE can tell what is REAL and What is FAKE...

[@rhondaserges5136]

Because unless you have the set up to ID stones, it is a guessing game. Buoyancy, weight, color are all part of stone identification. Unless you travel with a mini lab set up, it is a guess.

[@johnhardesty3167]

Basically he gave no secret away other than buy my book.

[@nomorepc2431]

Great interview. I understand quite a bit more than I did. Basically the stone comes from one of the top 5 mines. Must be certified natural. Darker or richer in color equals increased cost. If you want a natural stone avoid the small bits that have been bonded and sold as "natural". Some disreputable dealers will not mention these stones are not natural. They can also take a stone and dye it and sell it as real but natural is the key word. A certified natural stone from one of the mines is what you want to acquire.

[@SuperKiddles]

thanks for the recap

[@rohtati1020]

The close up cameraman can't handle/focus well. It's like he's recording with a cellphone!! 😅😅

[@streetqueenshadow5880]

Proud Navajo.... not a problem for me! 😂😂

[@glenrose2357]

Shannon Begay-Nelson how do u tell real from fake

[@nomorepc2431]

Shannon Begay-Nelson I knew a Begay in the military. Great friend. Years ago.

[@oleanderpink4505]

My metalsmithing professor worked for a company in the 1970’s and 80’s that sold fake Navajo and Hopi jewelry ( made in Los Angeles) to shops in Arizona and New Mexico. Most Navajo jewelry is fake and most Navajos don’t know shit about Indian jewelry.

[@michswags]

HA!! Fabulous!! Shannon!!

[@mcsc730]

Oleander Pink you’re 100% correct

[@mayurireddy8196]

Nice video on different types of turquoise

[@dainusmc]

WTF is this? Doesn't say anything about how to tell the difference.

[@e.lycopersicon9720]

Please change the title of this video to "chatting pointless but amicably about turquoise"

[@Shyruban]

About 90% of turquoise on the market these days that is not plastic is actually dyed howlite, how lite stone has been used to imitate other stones for quite a while now, it is usually white and can be dyed easily, some howlite ''turquoise'' is really well made and they even imitate the stone matrix in it. Still made of stone but not turquoise. If you have howlite jewelry, what will happen is if the stone is in contact with your skin and sweat, the color will gradually fade. When I see a piece of turquoise that is in fact howlite, I can tell right away, even from a photo if it's not all blurry. But most people buy howlite jewelry and have no clue.

[@ellabanana438]

I bought a necklace made of torquiose stones from pakistan. if the stones are left alone for quiet a long time, the color is bluish green but when the stones are rubbed by the hands, the color gradually changes to blue and the "veins" are showing boldly.

[@eligriggs9221]

Not only a waste of time, it does nothing to help a buyer. Depending on a sellers paperwork to be honest is how many people are "taken" by crooked sellers.

[@patriciahogan829]

I don't think he answered the question very well.

[@bellamasri3683]

I nearly didn't watch this due to the negative comments....I'm Thinking that you don't understand English that well because this was very very informative he answered all the questions or maybe there are to many trolls!

[@victoryoneable]

So many people here bitching because he doesn't actually say how to id. But as he said, it's very complicated and for the ordinary person the best strategy is to make the retailer describe the stone on the receipt. That way they have evidence if they discover later that they were misrepresented. There are so many treatments and simulants it would take a lot longer than the time he was given to explain how to separate them all.

[@paulettepaul6002]

He pretty much said if the word natural is in the selling point , it’s real. It took him a while to say it though.

[@49mara]

It was a slippery explanation.

[@IR-yd5bp]

The best Turquoise comes from Iran . After Barbara Walters interviewer Shah of Iran , Shah gave her a Turquoise and Diamond Ring for $1.000.000.00 .

[@sharonstromley9350]

Actually, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from the now closed Arizona mine is of equal value in its AAA form (having no matrix in it.) Quite lovely with a color comparable to its Persian cousin.

[@GoGreen1977]

@@HYEpower You're as pathetic as Trump. Get over your obsession about Hillary and get a life!

[@HYEpower]

@Christigoth no shes cia... most news outlets are cia... thus that is dead on bribery.

[@salahji]

I was not believing anyone so i by myself visited Iran from Pakistan and mined/Dug 2 stones for my self. It is Neshapuri Turquoise natural. One i am wearing in ring and one is for sell.

[@tmm6353]

great subject, if only the reporter would have allowed the expert to speak.

[@jaynadinnyes1675]

Years ago I bought a turquoise and silver ring at a gem show for only $9.00.. Everybody seeing it commented on it as it looks like old turquoise. A few years later the stone was scratched on top. It was totally white inside! I repaired it. Be careful when buying turquoise from India! Right now I order fake turquoise and silver rings very cheap from China on eBay with free shipping. Total cost is not over $2.00 ea.. The rings look very good and very REAL. Some fake turquoise has a bogus looking webbing. I disguise it because seeing it gives it away that it is FAKE. Use q tips and markers. After coloring the stone wipe it off with the q tips. Work with it until it looks REAL. Then I like to put a coat of clear polish on the stone. These rings are great looking and CHEAP!

[@nancyloomis3046]

This video some 9 years old. There was no mention of the word “stabilized,” something he may have mentioned, but didn’t use the word. “Stabilized” is what I heard about in other YT videos that most of the turquoise being sold these days is. The way way I heard it explained in other YT videos is, basically, that it is is a process by which pieces of real turquoise are pressed or fused? together, then filled with a resin of some sort to make the desired size and shape of stone.

[@thereddrumsarerunning8689]

$17,000 for a quarter size piece? I've talked to so many people and never heard them say that a rare piece can cost in the thousands. I know I can't afford a strand of any US mine and they're in the hundreds, let alone a already made product. I do believe in grades, colors and where mined come into cost, but YIKES, where in tarnation are these pieces, in a museum? Besides all that, he never did an actual test to determine the difference.

[@MK-ih6wp]

@Dfg Sdfg yup!

[@bodeine454]

Not enough detail given in my book, just a quick overview basically. He should have gotten more into the manufacturing process and compared side by side the differences by feel, look, hardness etc....

[@suzanneszarai]

True story: I have bought a turquoise ring in a beautiful, very reputable gallery in Durango Colorado. The ring has a signature of a Native artist at the back. The gallery provided me with a certificate with details such as the name of the artist. I happened to look the artist up on the internet and I contacted him with a question about the ring. He asked me a photo and to my surprise he wrote me back that it was not his work. He said that this was not the first time he encountered this kind of fraud in his name. Anyway.... Now that I look at the ring I don't think the turquoise is real in it.... If anyone has an idea how to check I would be greatful for the info.

[@MK-ih6wp]

wow, how interesting! any chance his last name starts with a Y?

[@hood3243]

Was it real?

[@suzanneszarai]

@@MK-ih6wp Yes... start with Yellow.....

[@suzanneszarai]

@@hood3243 I don't know, but I don't think so....

[@lindamannix1247]

I bought a purple turq laced with reg blue turq ring ! So beautiful

[@alexaez2946]

Don't think he even know how to differentiate between real and fake turquoise - okay okay imitation I get it

[@1234567890solrac]

BEAUTIFUL STONE THE TURQUOISE !!!! En Rosario, Argentina, el artesano y joyero Daniel Leonori realiza preciosos trabajos con turquesas !!!

[@jisaac5589]

O.k. but you didn't teach us how to tell if its being misrepresented so we don't buy plastic stuff etc...

[@TheEnAheL]

NO..he didn´t..BUT..I can try ;) Stone are NOT sensitive 2 FIRE..it migt crack if U put a hot stone in cold water tough..PLASTIC are sensitive 2 fire..put a hot metallic needel/nail on the stone (warm it on the fire in a lighter) FIRST ASK THE OWNER (seller)..if the needel will melt down into the "stone"=THEN IT SURE IS PLASIC..U will probably get a hole..from the hot needle (my native lainga is not english..but..did I make sense?) If it is genuine stone=no hole..U need a drill 2 do that

[@jisaac5589]

Makes perfect sense to me...Thanks!

[@TheEnAheL]

I DID FIND a fake one (the price was telling me that) NOW I BELIVE IT´S BETTER.."just 2 trow the turqouise-stone in a fire"..IF it will NOT melt=REAL TURQUOISE (yes..I burnt my fingers on the hot needel..eventough I used gloves ;)

[@TheEnAheL]

j Isaac Pleace DON´T TROW A TURQUOISE IN A FIRE..I was just angry for burning my fingers on the hot needle AND I did find this info about the stone haveing water in it..WILL CRACK IF TROWN IN FIRE..not melt..BUT CRACK..see video "Turquoise Destruction Test with Fire" (MagpieGemstone.com onKZbin) I also found a turquoise neckless at a seconghandstore (it looks real..feel cold as stone does..doesn´t melt..I did try abit with fire on1stone ;)

[@jisaac5589]

TheEnAheL LoL...its OK I didn't...

[@lylychhay8085]

He gave an ambiguous answer

[@phillipmatlock7384]

Hell I didn't know turquoise was so expensive that it had to be faked lol smh...

[@tkaishmael]

I feel like he still didn’t say how you can tell the difference. Waste of my damn time

[@danvango]

thank you very helpful, I found alot of Turquoise from the tailings of The Magma copper mine

[@corksauve4949]

Might be turquoise, or it could be Chrysocolla, malachite or azurite.

[@SuperKiddles]

part of the problem is this guy is so knowledgeable and ethical that's the only way he knows how to answer the questions and in 5 minutes, really? however the turquoise expert would make a great politician he is able to fill up time without much applicable content

[@sallymay3643]

Nothing was said on how 2 tell real turquoise from fake.

[@sharonprudencio988]

o...k that didn't explain anything

[@elmerkilred159]

Stabilized turquoise is still turquoise. It HAS to have a resin in it to harden it up so that it can be cut. Most people can't afford gem grade turquoise, and you're likely never to see it unless you mine it and/or work with it yourself. It's expensive because it is scarce. Most of the turquoise on the market (if it is real) is stabilized. The majority on the turquoise on the display in the video above are stabilized.

[@MsGrannyGo]

Here goes my two cents, and not worth a penny more because I'm NOT a gemologist. This news report is old but it did give some hints into "natural" turquoise which you would consider the real deal! I buy Turquoise but not "natural" because of the expense. Turquoise in its natural state, as nature made it, once cut and polished by a professional can cost in the thousands. Natural turquoise maybe worked or cut into cabochons, or whatever. The price is up there with expensive gems and sad to say I can't afford. So I buy "real" turquoise from a dealer - it comes with a certificate indicating the mine it originated from. REAL Turquoise is made from NATURAL turquoise -- this is treated and processed by some of the methods described in the video, to form nuggets, rounds, cabochons, this turquoise is no longer in its natural state, but it is still considered turquoise. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, this "real" turquoise is still expensive, I pay $70 dollars for a strand of small nuggets. I purchase real turquoise at a gem and mineral show I attend in San Jose, CA - gemologists with a microscope are on hand to examine. They encouraged me to always seek their advice since they eject corrupt sellers who make false claims, such as howlite being turquoise. So only a gemologist with her/his equipment can identify if plastic, synthetic, real, or natural. Some artificial turquoise can look very good but if the price is too good to be true then it is. Some of the comments below add interesting ways to tell if the turquoise is fake. The only thing I would never do is stick my gem in the fire to see if it melts only because I've heard some gems can explode. That being said, I do not know if this applies to turquoise, but I hate to test this theory on a good piece. Artificial turquoise is also made from other minerals that will not melt.

[@merichamarais9539]

I agree. Still don't know how to distinguish between fake and real. Disappointed

[@violetjane7152]

The real way to tell if you turquoise is fake is to apply nail polish remover to it if if it rubs off it’s fake.

[@naninuna7440]

no wonder i like spiderweb turquoise so much

[@rsantrach]

He said the lighter the turquoise, the less valuable it is. That might be true overall-what about Dry Creek turquoise? Is Dry Creek turquoise cheap and less desired?

[@allaboutroofing2]

"generally"

[@peewee7530]

Easy to tell the difference the price is outrageous for the real stuff. Although I have sold the real stuff really cheap when I needed the money at Pow Wows.

[@katmc3341]

Thanks for the information about turquoise, I don't expect to become fully informed by watching a short video but it was useful. The main problem is that people lie and we want to believe them because we don't want to pay the real price! I don't actually like the colour of the "best "stone's. I check the mine it comes from and who is selling it. Then I buy what I like.

[@Oruboris]

Not a lot of help for the consumer, I'm afraid-- especially when buying from estate sales, etc.

[@chihuahuas11]

I have a four lb. turquoise stone with lots of webbing. My husband found it in the hills while hiking some 30 years ago. He said there was lots more. He never went back for more, and as far as I know it's still there.

[@CrazyHuman1366]

chihuahuas11 if it's there still with u..please reply.. !!! In need of a real turquoise..!!!

[@harv8193]

Turquoise are found in underground mines usually near copper deposits and in a vein. A vein of Turquoise forms when copper sulfate seeps into a crack or fissure then reacts with other chemicals like aluminum phosphate and sometimes with a little bit of iron, therefore I don't think it was turquoise you're husband found lying on the surface. Would be nice!

[@moussaouizineb4746]

Oh my God,Love this jwellery,alott ❤

[@silentstorm2239]

The nutty professor

[@roxannedavies5690]

I think people in the business, like said expert, don't really want the public to know certain "secrets" as it can impact the sellers bottom line.

[@WRI2012]

To all those saying this info is worthless you missed the key point of the interview. The key word is "natural". If a dealer is selling "natural turquoise" it will "ALWAYS" come with documentation. Real turquoise does not mean "natural turquoise". If it has been stabilized for hardness or compressed from pieces it is still real turquoise but it is not "natural turquoise" as it has been altered by man. On a side note dyed howlite is fake turquoise that is often sold as real turquoise.

[@MK-ih6wp]

People in comments suggesting we only buy from reputable trusted sellers & that we insist on seeing the documentation proving where the stones originated from... what about folks like myself who inherited pieces from deceased relatives, or received jewelry as a gift? I can't contact the person who sold these pieces to grandma 40 years ago, and I also can't afford proper testing by a gemologist...

[@RUSIKful]

Wow, he is So sweety Pinocchio

[@APNASAIMHDTV]

Nice 👍

[@yasmintounes]

them in the kitchen looks like them cooking stones :))

[@carloscarrillo6595]

So I know that is real Turquoise when the seller tells me it's $17000.00USD for the stone...? Wow....! I learned so much about spotting fakes now...!

[@katielyb]

What none of you are seeming to understand here is that buying high quality semi precious gemstones is just like buying diamonds, emeralds, rubies, or sapphires. You can only determine it's actual value by buying from a seller who's able to provide documentation that states where the stone was mined. If you can't tell plastic from stone or read a label at a craft store then you might want to ask someone in person about it. It's relatively self explanatory otherwise. Or, you could just not buy gemstones from just any random person you run into on the street because that should be alerting you to a possible scam anyway. You don't buy your prescription medications out of the trunk of someone's car right? No, you go to the pharmacy. It's the same principal people.

[@hardikdhameliya3428]

He was not interested to give any information. Lol

[@wellIdiditagain]

interesting. he did answer the question. natural vs additive. natural came out with color additive had color added to make the color NO longer natural. it's all turquoise a matter of $ & budget.

[@jordcolomb5398]

I'm a Carver and I see what looks like a wolf carving on the right side of the table. and I'm all nooooooo they butchered that poor rock lol

[@FruScarpia]

lol so many people being upset because they still don’t know what to do with those bluish things from the thrift shop

[@badsantaclaus4522]

A fake is not a real gemstone it is art!. No ifs or butts!!. Makes the miner/cutter/Jewellery their value time an labor not worth nothing and consumer will not appreciate the real beauty!.

[@HelpfulRebelsTV]

how come you didn't show examples of real versus fake?

[@m27ny]

It didn't help me much, because I have a necklace that my mom bought in jewelry store in Poland in 80's and she paid good money at that time for it but we have no idea what's the value of it, so what do I do?

[@Dharlanna]

+Kr Bt How does fire tell you?

[@chwoonie]

To make a loooong ass story short. ***Tip: put a lighter to it. If it burns it’s fake. 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@DonnakinsJewelry]

Did I miss something? This is a real waste of time because I I still don't know how to tell "imitation" from "natural."

[@l.s.7053]

So, he didn’t answer the questions. I will join the rest and say pointless and totally unhelpful.

[@patriciagreer4829]

The interviewer is a real dork..constantly interrupting and not allowing the man to answer.

[@denniswhite664]

Ahhh. I thought the word "identify" was the main topic. "IDENTIFYING"... didn't happen????

[@tiffanyrain5071]

Never answered the question

[@cj222100]

Ok...so basically you have to hope that no seller ever lies. Plus you can't & don't always get it from some well known shop, suppose you're getting it from say, an estate sale, or consignment shop, or even Etsy & it's some find that the seller doesn't know the history of. And I'm shocked he didn't mention dyed howlite. I wish he'd given more info.

[@honeybsweetnectar1713]

This guys not stupid, he really didn't want to tell you how to distinguish a real stone from a fake but he's on there to promote his book. Just go to a library or do you research on the net

[@harrodguy]

I learned nothing from this!

[@corners3755]

After all that he still didn't explain how to spot a fake/imitation. Btw fake turquoise would melt and real turquoise would burn

[@desireewadsworth9230]

Billy Corners what happens when it burns?

[@trigongroupintl]

THOSE ARE DESTRUCTIVE TESTS NOT USED IN GEM IDENTIFICATION AND CAN ONLY IDENTIFY ONE FAKE FROM ANOTHER FAKE OR TREATED STONE...PS REAL TURQUOISE DOES NOT BURN! IT GATHERS SOOT ON ITS SURFACE LOL ...JUST LIKE ALL POLISHED STONES...A MORE ACCURATE "INDICATOR" WOULD BE THE COLDNESS OF A STONE, AT ROOM TEMP. A NAT. STONE FELLS COLDER THAN A TREATED STONE AGAINST THE SKIN...PRETTY SIMILAR TO THE TOUCHING OF MARBLE IN ROOM TEMP. STILL FEELS "COLD TO THE TOUCH" WHILE A FAKE WOULD FEEL ROOM TEMP...SEE MY EXPLAINATION ON HOW TO TELL THE REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 ABOVE.

[@MK-ih6wp]

@@trigongroupintl Thanks I will take temperature into account when assessing my collection

[@edwardharwood9542]

He didn't really show a test to see if it's fake or real .

[@steelmagnolia474]

Ok he was no help! I still don’t know how to tell. Lol

[@MsSurigirl]

I found it very interesting.

[@enelra4271]

Well that helped me know what fake turquoise looks like.......NOT.

[@1234567890solrac]

Usando una lupa se vé la porosidad y el aspecto ceroso de la turquesa natural, que no lo tiene la pasta sintética ( plástico ) ni la diversidad de color ni las vetas irregulares. El talentoso platero rosarino Daniel Leonori realiza maravillas en plata y turquesas.

[@VeroYorkie]

Guess you have to buy his book to find out the answer.

[@TAnd-nq6if]

Turquoise is my luckiest color

[@ekimdavis1021]

Why in the nine hells do they have a museum for this particular gem ? I just wanted to know if i went shopping at my local downtown jewlery store if i could easily identify a fake. Turquoise is my birth gem. I'm just looking to get authentic quality since i feel insecure that a fake could be passed on and i'd never know but some jewler might.

[@JudiChristopher]

Yeah New Mexico... I'm right here... in New Mexico...