[Jewelry making - Article 00550] - Re: [Orchid] Blue quartz

[The Doctor]

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>       The dealer said, "If they were dyed, they wouldn't be in here!"
>     Similar beads in Rio are marked "dyed". What do you folks know
>     about blue quartz? Thanks for any help-- including any hints on how
>     to test directly for dye, if possible. 

    Hi Noel. Natural blue quartz is so rare that many believe it never
    occurs naturally. There is a variety of quartz that occurs with blue
    Dumortierite inclusions, which makes the quartz appear blue. It is
    possible that your beads are Dumortierite included. 

    Usually, quartz is subjected to a treatment called "quench
    crackling" to color it. First, the stones are heated, then quenched
    in dye. The result looks much like the term used to describe the
    process. Under magnification, you'll see lots of cracks with dye
    concentrations in them if your material has been subjected to this
    kind of treatment, which is also referred to as "dyeing." If you've
    a good eye, a 10X loupe might be enough magnification to tell. 

    If you're still not certain, contact me off-list if you like. I'd
    have no problem taking a look. 

James in SoFl

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