Identifying Gemstones

[Aster]

Is there any way for someone who doesn't have the specialized equipment to distinguish between quartz, beryl, and topaz?

Thanks!

~ Aster

[gingerkid]

Hi, Aster, maybe you could try the "Visual Optics" method?  There's a little bit of information on the web that can be found on the subject.  You could ask Alan Hodgkinson (Hodgkinson Method) and Dr. Hanneman for advice. 

If you contact Dr. Hanneman on the GO forum, please ask him where you could purchase some of his materials on the Hodgkinson Method.  He published "Gemstone Recognition Without Instruments," "Educating the Eyeball - The Hodgkinson Method," and "The Art of Gemology" that show you how to use the Hodgkinson Method. I probably left something out, but please contact him for help and info.   

In Max Bauer's book, "Precious Stones," there's a section on visual optics.  I downloaded the book free on the nook tablet and you can probably find it in Google Books.   

http://www.cigem.ca/411.html

http://www.nordskip.com/hh.html

[Jamey S.]

Quartz and topaz are easy! Pinch them between your fingers! Topaz will be much more slippery compared to quartz. .

Hodgkins Method is your best solution to learn.

[Aster]

Thanks for the pointers to resources.  I'll give them a try.

About the slipperiness test:  Does it work on cut and polished stones or just rough?

[Jamey S.]

Both.

[Aster]

Cool.  Thanks.  I'll give it a try.   

[mehoose]

Old fossick tale? mebe, but put a piece of topaz to your cheek, it's meant to have a really cold feel compared to others. Dunno if it works living somewhere super hot but you never know.

[rocks2dust]

The amount of light return varies, too. Topaz is much "brighter" than quartz or goshenite when side-by-side. Goshenite seems to be slightly brighter than quartz. This is sort of subjective, too, but there are differences you can see when you compare similar pieces. Having reference stones for comparison helps. Just one piece of evidence, though, and you need to examine in more than one way to start to get confident of an ID.

[hag916]

I thought there was a major book on gem optics using the naked eye alone.  Anyone remember that one?  I'll have to research that again but I think I remember a reference to it at the American Lapidary website or something...

Yep, this guy: Visual Optics
&
The Guide to Affordable Gemology
 
 
Alan Hodgkinson here's a link to one site:

http://www.nordskip.com/hh.html

He wrote a great book on visual inspection only. How to manipulate the stone and light to identify and value gemstones.  Great stuff.  Newton would be proud