[Jewelry making - Article 00117] - Re: [Orchid] Blue Quartz/Blue Agate

[Roseann Hanson]

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    Carrie, These days, with the proliferation of fake (glass) or
    color-treated gemstones (beads especially), it's easy to get duped.
    Gerry Galarneau of Galarneau Gems recently recommended to me that
    when buying, keep close a copy of a good gem reference book. I have
    June Culp Zeitner's Gem and Lapidary Materials (1996 is latest
    edition that I know of) -- what are other favorites, all? 

    Anyway, June says of blue quartz that it is fairly uncommon (in gem
    grade) and found in southern US states; colors range from faint
    grayish or whitish blue to smoky, sky, and medium gray-blue. 

    Since this stuff is all over the place I guess I might wonder....If
    your merchant can't provide decent provinence I'd be suspicious;
    there's also an easy way to tell if it's glass -- look at it under a
    simple pocket loupe and if there are bubbles, it is glass.  I did a
    Google of "blue quartz" and found a lot of honest dealers selling
    beads as "blue quartz - synthetic". 

Roseann


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