Dyed Quartz

Treatment:  Dying

Identification Tools Required: Magnification.

How to Identify: 

Primary Test: Due to the refractive index of this dyed quartz being close to an emerald it is often mis-identified as emerald by the newbie gemologist who only uses a refractometer as their main gemological test. But a cursory look under magnification will quickly resolve this material as dyed. There is nothing else quite like it on the market, and certainly nothing in the way of natural gemstones that has this color structure.

The dying process can also cause problems by allowing a colorless quartz to emulate a chrysoprase since that is also a member of the quartz family. When cut en cabochon the only tool to identify the dyed status is magnification. However, with high magnification the structure of the dye itself becomes quite evident making the separation fairly easy.

Secondary Tests: Refractive index done carefully will prove this material to be quartz and nothing else.

Repair and Setting: Due to the unknown nature of this treatment, no heat, no ultrasonic and no cleaners.  Stone is colored by infusion of dyes that may leach out during heating or cleaning, thereby altering the color of the stone. Consumers should be advised of the status of the stone before any repair or resetting is attempted.

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