How to tell real gemstones from glass?

MattLock said:

Try sandpaper if it leaves marks it fake

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Ice Scratcher said:

Are you not the same guy that recommends that if the stone can be smashed with a hammer it's not a diamond..?

<°)))>{

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beach bum said:

sorry for the confusion, but i accept

i will pay you $25, but you have to keep her for at least 3 years

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KingTotsalot said:

Couple of clues as to whether your stones are quality or not:

1. If the setting is a cheapie, the stones are glass, paste, etc. No jeweler puts a quality stone in a cheapo crappy setting.

2. Got a hand lens? If not, get one. 10 power magnification is all that is needed. Look at reflected light off the surface of a cleaned stone..if you see any wear on the facets (flat surfaces) or the edges or joins of those facets or on the points where 3 or 4 facets meet, then it is either glass, paste, or a soft cheap diamond substitute, like quartz, etc. Diamond cannot be scratched by anything but another diamond or diamond dust. Any wear you see is due to mechanical abrasion by harder substances...since diamond is the hardest natural substance, it will never show wear. NEVER hammer a gemstone! Diamonds are hard but they are brittle and have 4 directions of preferred planar breakage, called cleavage, so this test is not only invalid but plain stupid...it dates from medival times when diamonds were thought to be indistructable by the uneducated general public. When in doubt, take it to a reputable jeweler who will examine it and tell you what it is..If it is good, then he will make an offer, if not, no offer.

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MD-Mainiac said:

pics?

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Beach Bum said:

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