In today’s increasingly prosperous jewelry market, topaz is loved by consumers for its warm and bright color. However, with this comes the problem of fake and inferior products that may exist in the market. So, is there any fake citrine? The answer is yes.
Common type of fake topaz
Glass imitation
Glass is one of the most commonly used materials to imitate topaz. Glass can be made in a variety of shapes and colors, and it is not difficult to imitate the appearance of topaz. Its cost is low and the production process is relatively simple. Glass imitation topaz is usually uniform in color, too bright and lacks the layering of natural topaz colors. In terms of transparency, although glass can also achieve high transparency, it lacks natural inclusions and texture characteristics compared with natural topaz. For example, natural topaz may have tiny mineral crystal inclusions or gas-liquid inclusions inside, and the glass interior is often relatively clean, even if there are some bubbles, their shape and distribution are more regular, and natural inclusions are significantly different. From the gloss point of view, the gloss of the glass is more dazzling and blunt, not as soft and natural as the glass gloss of natural topaz. And the hardness of the glass is low, between about 5-6, with a hardness of 7 topaz can easily mark the surface of the glass, and the topaz itself will not be damaged, which is a simple and effective way to identify glass imitation topaz.
Synthetic topaz
Synthetic topaz is produced by artificially simulating the growth environment and conditions of natural topaz. At present, the common synthesis methods are flame melting, hydrothermal method and so on. The color of topaz synthesized by flame melting is often bright, but the color distribution is too uniform, and there may be curved growth patterns inside the crystal, which is caused by the uneven temperature and air flow during the growth process. The color of topaz synthesized by hydrothermal method is relatively natural, but it can be observed under the microscope that there are some fine textures arranged in parallel inside, which is one of the characteristics of the hydrothermal synthesis process. Synthetic topaz crystals tend to be relatively perfect, without the imperfections and irregular shapes that may be present in natural topaz. Although synthetic topaz is similar to natural topaz in chemical composition, because it is artificial, the output is relatively large, the price in the market is much lower than natural topaz, and its value and collection significance are also very different from natural topaz.
Stained quartzite
Stained quartzite is also a common topaz imitation. It is itself a natural quartzite that has been artificially dyed to give it a color similar to topaz. The color of stained quartzite is usually concentrated in the surface or cracks, the color distribution is not uniform, and there are obvious staining traces. For example, the color will appear darker at the crack, while the interior color is relatively lighter. Its hardness is similar to topaz, but the internal structure is different from topaz, quartzite is composed of many small quartz particles, the granular structure can be clearly seen under the microscope, and topaz is a complete crystal structure. In addition, the luster of stained quartzite is relatively weak, not as bright and dazzling as topaz.
How to identify fake topaz
Observing color features
The color of natural topaz is generally not too bright and uniform, and there are usually some changes in the depth of color or color bands. If a “topaz” color is extremely bright and the entire crystal color is completely consistent, without any transition or change in tone, then it is likely to be fake. For example, natural Brazilian topaz may have a gradual lightening of color from the center to the edges, and it is difficult for fake topaz to mimic this natural color change. In addition, you can also put topaz on a white background to observe, if the color looks unnatural or there is a color phenomenon, but also to be vigilant about its authenticity.
Check the internal structure
Using a magnifying glass or microscope to observe the internal structure of topaz is an important way to identify the authenticity. Natural topaz may contain mineral inclusions, gas-liquid inclusions, etc., whose shape, size and distribution are irregular. As mentioned earlier, glass imitations may have only regular bubbles inside, synthetic topaz will have specific growth patterns or textures, and stained quartzite will have a granular structure. By carefully observing these internal characteristics, it is possible to effectively distinguish between real and fake topaz.
Test physical properties
Hardness test: As mentioned earlier, the hardness of topaz is 7, you can use topaz to carve the glass, if the glass is left with scratches and topaz is not damaged, it may be true topaz, but this method should be used carefully to avoid damage to the gem.
Density test: The density of topaz is about 2.65 g/cm ³. It can be determined whether it is topaz by measuring the density of the gem, but this requires professional instruments and a certain amount of operational experience, which is difficult for ordinary consumers to implement.
Thermal conductivity test: The thermal conductivity of topaz is different from that of imitation products such as glass. The test can be performed using a thermal conductivity meter, and real topaz will react in a specific way on the thermal conductivity meter, while imitation products such as glass will react differently. The non-overheating guide is not absolutely accurate and needs to be judged by other methods.
View certificate
When buying topaz, it is very important to check the authoritative gemstone identification certificate. A formal certificate will specify the type of stone, its origin (if confirmed), and whether it has been treated. But pay attention to the authenticity and authority of the certificate, some small institutions or irregular certificates may not be reliable. You can choose a certificate issued by a well-known domestic gem appraisal institution such as NGTC (National Jewelry and Jade Quality Supervision and Inspection Center) to ensure that the topaz purchased is genuine.
Precautions for buying topaz
Choose a regular merchant
When buying topaz, choose regular jewelry stores, shopping malls or reputable online merchants. Regular merchants generally have strict purchase channels and quality control, and can provide authenticity assurance and after-sales service. Avoid buying from roadside stalls or small shops of unknown origin, where the risk of buying fake topaz is higher.
Know the market price
Before buying, it is necessary to have a certain understanding of the market price of topaz. The price of natural topaz varies greatly due to factors such as quality and origin. If the price is too low “topaz”, be wary of it may be fake. For example, a high-quality Brazilian natural topaz bracelet will not be too cheap, and if the merchant sells it at a very low price, it is likely to be problematic.
A certificate of appraisal is required
As mentioned earlier, be sure to ask the merchant for an authoritative identification certificate. And carefully check whether the information on the certificate is consistent with the purchased topaz. If the merchant refuses to provide the certificate for various reasons or the certificate provided is irregular, then it is best not to buy.
conclusion
There are indeed fake topaz on the market, including glass imitations, synthetic topaz, stained quartzite and so on. Consumers in the purchase of topaz, to observe the color characteristics, check the internal structure, test the physical properties and view the certificate and other methods to identify the authenticity. At the same time, it is necessary to choose regular merchants, understand the market price and require the issuance of an appraisal certificate to ensure that what you buy is real topaz. Only in this way, can we appreciate and have the beauty of topaz at the same time, avoid economic losses, and truly appreciate the unique charm and value of topaz.
Related Topics:
