Imitation of Jade

Imitation: Treated quartz imitation

Identification Tools Required: Magnification

How to Identify:

Primary Test: Magnification of the dye filling the porosity fissures in the quartz should be diagnostic. The color zoning formation is unlike natural jadeite and should be a fairly easy identification.

Secondary Tests: Where possible refractive index should be a confirmation test. However with many of the carvings and beads getting a refractive index ready can be difficult.

Additional test is the spectroscope with this dyed quartz imitation giving a totally anomalous reading to natural green jadeite. However, only the well trained and experienced gemologist should rely solely on this confirmation test.