What is synthetic tanzanite?

What is synthetic tanzanite?

Firstly, whilst Tanzanite has never been successfully synthesized (a synthetic is a lab created, manmade version of the natural which has the same chemical and physical properties as a natural), a synthetic Forsterite has been produced in the last decade in Russia which produces an imitation which closely resembles …

How can you tell fake tanzanite?

Therefore, to check its authenticity, view the jewel in natural light and then place it under incandescent light. In natural light, real tanzanites usually showcase a blue hue with a tinge of purple. Under incandescent light, however, the gem will appear more purple and may even display some red or pink flashes.

What is simulated tanzanite?

Regardless of its origins, a simulated gemstone is a piece presented to “look like” another gemstone. A close gemological analysis would reveal its true identity. Simulants are also called imitations, faux, and fakes.

How can you tell the quality of tanzanite?

Clarity & Luster It has an attractive vitreous luster and is often of high clarity. Eye visible inclusions can decrease the value of the Tanzanite. The best quality tanzanite is “clean” and free of visible inclusions of any kind that can be viewed only by a jewelers loupe.

What does natural tanzanite look like?

Tanzanite forms as a brownish crystal and is trichroic, which means it shows three colors – brown, blue and violet – concurrently. Rarely, gem-quality tanzanite will heat to a green primary hue, almost always accompanied by a blue or violet secondary hue.

Is tanzanite a hard or soft stone?

While tanzanite is not as hard or as tough as a stone like sapphire, it still can be worn in all types of jewelry with proper precautions against rough wearing or hard blows. Tanzanite is stable under normal wearing conditions, which means it’s resistant to the effects of heat, light, and common chemicals.

Are lab created stones worth anything?

Many traditional jewelers tell customers that lab created diamonds have absolutely no value, but this could not be further from the truth. Most earth mined diamonds have resale value, and most lab created diamonds will have a similar resale value as well.

Are there different grades of tanzanite?

While there is no industry standardized grading system for Tanzanites, Diamondere along with a range of other leading jewelers follow a system that grades Tanzanites as Natural AAAA, Natural AAA or Natural AA quality gems. We only use the most exquisite Natural AAAA Tanzanites in all our jewelry.

Are there any imitations of the natural tanzanite?

This is a clear sign of a synthetic forsterite as natural Tanzanite does not have a high birefringence and as such will not display this effect. Tanzanite does have a number of other imitations. The most common are Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Synthetic Spinel, Ytrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) and even colored glass.

What is the refractive index of a synthetic tanzanite?

As a gemologist, it is easy to identify this imposter using several tests, chiefly the refractometer. Synthetic Forsterite has a refractive index of 1.63- 1.67 which natural Tanzanite is 1.685-1.707.

Why is cobalt used as a coat on tanzanite?

The other factor to be aware of in Tanzanite is the more recent attempt by unscrupulous sellers to coat lower grade Tanzanite with a light coating of cobalt, which tends to improve the look of the color. Whilst this practice is not widely used, it is important to be aware of it. This article in our Article Center looks at this in more detail.

Why is tanzanite used as a window stone?

If both windows display the same color, then the stone is singly refractive. If each window has a different color, then it is doubly refractive. The other factor to be aware of in Tanzanite is the more recent attempt by unscrupulous sellers to coat lower grade Tanzanite with a light coating of cobalt, which tends to improve the look of the color.