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Fake vs Real Rhodochrosite
Are you unsure if your Rhodochrosite is real? Is it a fake being passed off as the real deal? Is it actually a Rhodonite? Is it another stone altogether? Let's learn to pick out real Rhodochrosite crystals for your collection.
Watch the video on Real vs Fake Rhodochrosite to see examples and read below for even more tips and tricks.
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How can you tell if your Rhodochrosite is real?
The best way to know if your Rhodohcoriste is real is to buy from a reputable seller who knows what they are selling you.
Because Rhodochrosite is a relatively rare stone, especially in its coveted rich colors, vendors are passing off fakes as the real thing. They could be dyed, synthesized, or other stones pressed together to look like the real thing.
Real Rhodochrosite could be waxed for shine or stabilized with resin for durability.
If you do not have access to a reputable seller, here are some tips to follow to tell if your Rhodochrosite is real:
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Real Rhodochrosite is a 3.5-4 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This makes it relatively soft and easy to scratch with many other stones and materials harder than a 4.
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Real Rhodochrosite will never have air bubbles. Air bubbles are an indication of glass. Use a magnifying jeweler's loupe to help you see into the stone.
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Real Rhodochrosite will have inclusions. Notice your stone's mineral inclusions, veins, craters, dips, and imperfections. You may not find these in a fake.
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Real Rhodochrosite has complex bands. Rhodochrosite's veins are uniquely layered when banded, showing inclusions like Pyrite, which imitations can not successfully recreate.
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Real Rhodochrosite may be magnetic. If there are iron, aluminum, copper, or magnetite inclusions in your stone, your Rhodochrosite could be magnetic.
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Real Rhodochrosite will always have a white streak. Despite its outwardly gray appearance, Real Rhodochrosite will have a white powder in the crystal streak test.
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Real Rhodochrosite will not leak color. Testing with acetone should not remove any color from the stone. However, the stone may naturally oxidize and change colors depending on the conditions.
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Real Rhodochrosite has a specific gravity of 3.7. Here is a video on how to measure your stone's density at home.
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Real Rhodochrosite will react with hydrochloric acid. It should bubble or fizz like all carbonate stones do in acid.
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Real Rhodochrosite does not usually fluoresce under UV light. Other materials like pink dye may respond to long-wave and short-wave UV light. Dark red Rhodochrosite may have a faint fluorescence.
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Real Rhodochrosite has a refractive index range of 1.59 to 1.81. This test requires a refractometer.
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Real Rhodochrosite may show weak dichroism or pleochroism. This is best seen in gemmy, translucent pieces of red Rhodochrosite.
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Real Rhodochrosite will always be pink. It may have various shades of pink or light tones of yellow, brown, or white, but will never be other colors.
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Real Rhodochrosite is relatively expensive. If it is real Rhodochrosite, it will be priced higher than most other pink gemstones and definitely more than fakes!
Some of these tests are destructive, so only conduct them on pieces you aren't worried about.
None of these tests are conclusive in themselves. If you are still unsure, you can send your Rhodochrosite to a certified gemological laboratory for testing. You can also find additional tips in the Crystal Identification Help.
Is there Synthetic Rhodochrosite?
Scientists create Synthetic Rhodochrosite for its valuable manganese ore. If you search for "Synthetic Rhodochrosite" online, you may come across some listings that look very similar to the real thing. Here is a sample synthetic bead listing and a sample synthetic cabochon listing.
These synthetics are usually the common opaque pink and black version of the stone rather than the high-end translucent pinks. It is not clear if they are laboratory recreations or other materials being passed off as Rhodochrosite.
Is there pressed Rhodochrosite?
Pressed Rhodochrosite is not common. Pressed Rhodochrosite refers to natural pieces of Rhodochrosite pressed into other materials for stability. There is nothing wrong with pressed Rhodochrosite if you know what you are buying, but if the vendor passes it off as a naturally forming stone, buyer beware.
Sometimes pressed Rhodochrosite is formed from other materials unrelated to the actual gemstone. In this case, the vendor is actively deceiving the buyer if they are calling it real Rhodochrosite. Here is a study that found imitation Rhodochrosite created from pressed Gibbsite and Calcite powder.
What is pork stone?
Pork stone refers to a banded white and red Calcite or Jasper which can be confused with Rhodochrosite, which is sometimes known as the bacon stone.
What is the difference between Rhodochrosite and Rhodonite?
We go over the difference between Rhodochrosite and Rhodonite in the Fake vs Real Rhodonite article.
Shop Real Rhodochrosite Stones
The power of real Rhodochrosite can never be replaced by fakes. Go ahead, try it for yourself. Here are real gemstones from the Satin Crystals' Rhodochrosite Collection to add to your treasures.
Rhodochrosite Continued
Have you worked with Rhodochrosite crystals? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Post them below.
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