Gems and Crystals from Stores?

[Lokabrenna]

Hello everyone,

I'm sure this has been asked before, but does anyone know how genuine gemstones from new age-y type stores are?

I'm just curious, I have a piece of what is supposed to be hematite, but to be honest it looks too "metallic" to be genuine (IMO). It's a very shiny silver and I think it might even be magnetic. I also have a piece of onyx and black obsidian, but both those stones look identical.

If they aren't genuine, does anyone know what they usually make them out of? I had this strange thought that most of them are probably made out of some sort of hard plastic, but I'm curious.

FYI, I buy them because they're shiny! *loves shiny objects*

[MidnightFire]

Easiest way I know of to tell if hematite is real, rub it across a ceramic tile. It should leave a fairly rusty red line behind. Very rough translation hema="blood", tite or some variation thereof="mineral"

As for what they would make fakes of obsidian and onyx out of, I would assume glass. Especially since obsidian is naturally occurring black glass.

[Lokabrenna]

I seem to recall that another name for obsidian is "volcanic glass". Why doesn't my brain inform me of these things before I make posts? :P

I think I have a ceramic tile somewhere, so I will be sure to try that. Thanks for the info!

[lightdragon]

usually tumbled hematite is the real deal. unless it's magetic in which case it's something else. the main thing you have to worry about is with jewerly and beads.

black onyx sometimes has white specks in it. or it will not be completely polished and have a few dents the tumbler couldn't get to. black obsidian like with most obsidians are extremely smooth. It is basically volcanic glass. most black stones are the real deal. the only black stone you have to watch for is jett. and the real stuff will have a smooth woody feel to it.

fake obsidians you have to watch for are blue obsidian and strawberry obsidian. but these are made out of man made glass.

turquoise is sometimes replaced with plastic or blue dyed howlite.

amber is sometimes plastic as well as jett.

otherwise the other stones that are tumbled are generally the real deal.