How can I tell if my smoky quartz is irradiated?
Try the visual inspection method first. If the smoky quartz crystal has some quartz matrix in association maybe some of it is opaque or white in color, these areas will not generally darken due to the irradiation process. Therefore if these areas are not smoky, the specimen has likely been irradiated.
Is all smoky quartz irradiated?
Artificially grayed smokey quartz has been irradiated with cobalt 60 gamma rays. Naturally grayed smokey quartz has been irradiated by gamma rays from natural geological sources such as potassium-40 and members of the uranium and thorium decay series.
What does heat treated smoky quartz look like?
What is this? Real Smoky Quartz ranges from a light yellowish-brown to a brown that is so dark that it is almost black. Artificially created Smoky Quartz is usually a grayish-brown color. The more suspiciously black-looking a crystal is, the higher the chances are that it is unnatural.
Is irradiated smoky quartz safe?
There is no radiation hazard associated with irradiated smoky quartz. Irradiating a crystal will cause some energy to be stored in the crystal structure, which can change the optical properties, typically observed as a change in color.
What does real smoky quartz look like?
Smoky quartz is a color-variety of crystalline quartz. It ranges from a light yellowish brown to a brown that is so dark that it appears to be black. Less-desirable specimens have a grayish brown color. When cut as a gem, stones with an orangish brown to a reddish brown color are preferred by many people.
How can you tell if quartz is dyed?
If your quartz is really vibrant & pretty uniform in color it may be dyed. A tell-tale sign of dyed quartz is excess dye collecting in cracks. And that fuchsia, bright green & deep blue agate…you know that’s dyed, right?
Is irradiated quartz safe?
Is irradiated smoky quartz safe? There is no radiation hazard associated with irradiated smoky quartz. Irradiating a crystal will cause some energy to be stored in the crystal structure, which can change the optical properties, typically observed as a change in color.
What is irradiated crystal?
The gemstone irradiation is a process in which a gemstone is artificially irradiated in order to enhance its optical properties. High levels of ionizing radiation can change the atomic structure of the gemstone’s crystal lattice, which in turn alters the optical properties within it.
What does it mean when a gemstone is irradiated?
Irradiation is the process of using electromagnetic radiation to alter a gem’s color. Irradiation has been with us since the early 1900’s when scientists like Bordas and Crookes used radium salts to change blue sapphires and diamonds green. In today’s world, irradiation is routinely used to color a number of gemstones.
How is quartz irradiated?
Although the process varies based on the source, the basic formula involves irradiating the stones at 60 megarads (mrd) with cobalt 60, X-rays, or electrons. The material will return from the lab an opaque black or brown. Then, heat the stones in a household toaster oven to 650° F.
How do you know if it’s a real quartz?
Real Clear Quartz crystals will often feel cooler to the touch than glass. Glass will feel room temperature, while quartz will be slightly cooler in your hand. Leave your clear quartz crystal on the counter for a few hours and pick it up – what is the temperature? If it’s a bit cooler, it’s likely authentic!