Thanks for the responses all. When I first started collecting I told myself to always remember "if it looks to good to be true It probably is" That seems to be the case with this spinel I know its not glass but it is so free of inclusions that it makes me think it may be synthetic. I wouldn''t be able to tell I''m afraid. At anyrate I will be going back there in a couple weeks and if he still has it I will see if I can arage to have it certified. Whoknows may just get lucky L