Heated gems from the 1920’s?

[blingmeupscotty]

Was it common to heat treat amethysts in the 20’s? Any guesses? I’ve not a clue.

 

[pokerface]

No, it is uncommon to treat amethyst at all, as gem-quality specimens are plentiful. Amethyst could be dyed, or now, less commonly, fractured-filled, but never heated: heating reduces purple color and produces citrine. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71786-1

 

[blingmeupscotty]

No, it is uncommon to treat amethyst at all, as gem-quality specimens are plentiful. Amethyst could be dyed, or now, less commonly, fractured-filled, but never heated: heating reduces purple color and produces citrine. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71786-1

Thank you. I just purchased a vintage piece from a department store from the 20’s. I think I was half asleep though and was more enamored with the age but it is a pretty grape color. I’ll clean it up and post when it arrives.

 

[T L]

No, it is uncommon to treat amethyst at all, as gem-quality specimens are plentiful. Amethyst could be dyed, or now, less commonly, fractured-filled, but never heated: heating reduces purple color and produces citrine. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71786-1

You also have to be weary of synthetics or stimulants.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

You also have to be weary of synthetics or stimulants.

I’ll have it tested when it arrives for sure thank you.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

You also have to be weary of synthetics or stimulants.

You also reminded me that I broke my own cardinal rule. The seller had not shipped the item yet and I just sent her email asking how she had the stone authenticated. She then proceeded to offer me a refund because she could not prove it wasn’t synthetic. thank you!!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

You also reminded me that I broke my own cardinal rule. The seller had not shipped the item yet and I just sent her email asking how she had the stone authenticated. She then proceeded to offer me a refund because she could not prove it wasn’t synthetic. thank you!!

are you still gerting it ?

 

[shelovesinclusions]

I was just reading a book my mom gave me years ago called "Gems & Crystals from the American Museum of Natural History" and it says:

". . . irradiation by natural or artificial means is necessary to produce both amethyst and smoky to black quartz."

It goes on to say citrine is commercially created by heating natural amethyst. So, I'd say there is no chance an amethyst would have been heat treated, because it wouldn't be purple anymore. If anything, it could be irradiated, but natural amethyst is not rare, so there's no need to artificially color quartz to make it (but you could).

 

[blingmeupscotty]

are you still gerting it ?

No, I was issued a refund. For some reason the entire transaction from the start seemed off to me. Even from before the purchase when I was asking questions. And thankfully PS'ers reminded me of my own cardinal rule. Even IF it was as my husband asked me last night "so what if it was a synthetic what if it really is 100 years old wouldn't you love it just as much?", the answer was flat out no. I was enamored with the history and story of what she was selling. Not something that was plastic or possibly glass when I got it without proof of authenticity which was not like me at all. I'm a HUGE ebay lover. I troll ebay daily for vintage/antique pieces and diamond deals because as I say to my husband weekly "momma doesn't pay retail for anything". And when @T L posted my red flag went off inside my head "girl..did you even see anything in the ad about it being tested? dammit!". So I immediately shot off another email [because she didn't ship it the next day after payment] and she knew even she couldn't authenticate her claim. So she refunded me.

So thank you <3

 

[pokerface]

Amethyst is unlikely to be synthetic, as natural amethyst is plentiful. It wouldn't make sense to authenticate an amethyst in the vast majority of cases. Even in vintage costume jewelry, you see natural amethyst. The only time I've ever seen fake amethyst is in places like Claire's where they are selling rhinestones or something like Swarovski crystal, or very cheap modern jewelry from places like alibaba. If you post a picture, I'm sure PS could make an educated guess on the stone.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

Amethyst is unlikely to be synthetic, as natural amethyst is plentiful. It wouldn't make sense to authenticate an amethyst in the vast majority of cases. Even in vintage costume jewelry, you see natural amethyst. The only time I've ever seen fake amethyst is in places like Claire's where they are selling rhinestones or something like Swarovski crystal, or very cheap modern jewelry from places like alibaba. If you post a picture, I'm sure PS could make an educated guess on the stone.

The hallmark on the ring came from a department store, that much I was at least able to verify. But the uneasy part of it was the no return policy. I would have been out a decent chunk of change if it was synthetic. If it was a jewelry store hallmark maybe. This was solely on me, I didn't follow my rule. I'm a go with your gut gal when it comes to ebay. I had that amethyst and quite a few pastel colored sapphires on the wish list I'd been watching..I'll wait for one of the sapphires

 

[shelovesinclusions]

I troll ebay daily for vintage/antique pieces and diamond deals because as I say to my husband weekly "momma doesn't pay retail for anything".

I do the same thing! A few years ago, I got a $15 10k antique ring with amethyst from one of the Goodwills on eBay with the intention of putting a different stone in it. I tested the amethyst at home, and it turned out to be glass. Even if it is a plentiful natural stone, you can't ever be sure when glass was so commonly used back then.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

I do the same thing! A few years ago, I got a $15 10k antique ring with amethyst from one of the Goodwills on eBay with the intention of putting a different stone in it. I tested the amethyst at home, and it turned out to be glass. Even if it is a plentiful natural stone, you can't ever be sure when glass was so commonly used back then.

My husband reminds me all the time "what did you teach me about buying on ebay.. is it authentic? is there a cert? then don't spend the money because you're really going to be po'd if it's not what you thought it was when you get it" lol.

 

[pokerface]

But you wouldn't be out a decent chunk of change if an amethyst turns out to be synthetic. Amethyst is not an expensive stone, and a natural stone is barely worth more than glass (with some exceptions for top quality stones and specialty cutting, of course). A reputable dealer is not going to spend $100 getting a cert for a $20 amethyst, but he/she would be able to distinguish amethyst from glass, which is the only reasonable concern. Go with your gut for sure, but don't be expecting certification for anything in the quartz family.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

But you wouldn't be out a decent chunk of change if an amethyst turns out to be synthetic. Amethyst is not an expensive stone, and a natural stone is barely worth more than glass (with some exceptions for top quality stones and specialty cutting, of course). A reputable dealer is not going to spend $100 getting a cert for a $20 amethyst, but he/she would be able to distinguish amethyst from glass, which is the only reasonable concern. Go with your gut for sure, but don't be expecting certification for anything in the quartz family.

Oh I completely agree, anything in the quartz family wouldn't have been worth that, but she didn't test it at all, even with one at home. Being out hundreds of dollars for glass, would have pissed me off, point blank.

edited: the item would have cost me hundreds..not $20 is what I'm saying.

 

[T L]

Amethyst is unlikely to be synthetic, as natural amethyst is plentiful. It wouldn't make sense to authenticate an amethyst in the vast majority of cases. Even in vintage costume jewelry, you see natural amethyst. The only time I've ever seen fake amethyst is in places like Claire's where they are selling rhinestones or something like Swarovski crystal, or very cheap modern jewelry from places like alibaba. If you post a picture, I'm sure PS could make an educated guess on the stone.

There was a plethora of synthetic amethyst on the market being sold as natural. I’m not sure if this is still the case, but despite this, it’s important to buy an amethyst from a reputable dealer that knows their source IF you’re in the market for a natural amethyst. Some material can be pricey if it’s the famed purple to violet shade.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

No, I was issued a refund. For some reason the entire transaction from the start seemed off to me. Even from before the purchase when I was asking questions. And thankfully PS'ers reminded me of my own cardinal rule. Even IF it was as my husband asked me last night "so what if it was a synthetic what if it really is 100 years old wouldn't you love it just as much?", the answer was flat out no. I was enamored with the history and story of what she was selling. Not something that was plastic or possibly glass when I got it without proof of authenticity which was not like me at all. I'm a HUGE ebay lover. I troll ebay daily for vintage/antique pieces and diamond deals because as I say to my husband weekly "momma doesn't pay retail for anything". And when @T L posted my red flag went off inside my head "girl..did you even see anything in the ad about it being tested? dammit!". So I immediately shot off another email [because she didn't ship it the next day after payment] and she knew even she couldn't authenticate her claim. So she refunded me.

So thank you <3

well that's good to know
im sure you will find an equal or even better piece in no time