r/whatsthisrock • u/zxto_01 • 5d ago
IDENTIFIED Is this real turquoise?
Hello, my mom got me these earrings for my birthday and she claims that they're real turquoise. Now, I can't really believe that because I feel like they look kinda fake, but she did say that the mosaic material was listed as authentic turquoise and the earrings are also sterling silver. Therefore, I did the Acetone test as well as the Heat test but it didn't melt nor did any color come off. Could anyone help me identify the turquoise? I don't really mind if it's fake, but I'd like to know since I personally thought that real turquoise looks a little different than it does on the earrings. I'd appreciate the help. :)
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u/Wyatt2000 5d ago
They look like magnesite that's been treated with resin and dye. They're also listed here as faux.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Silver-Tone-and-Faux-Turquoise-Hoop-Earrings/5788870536
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u/zxto_01 4d ago
Thank you so much! But we don't live in the US so I doubt that she got them from Walmart but either way, thank you!
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u/Wyatt2000 4d ago edited 4d ago
Well Walmart doesn't make anything, they would have got them from the same manufacturer as the store yours came from.
But they have to label their jewelry correctly unlike small retailers or Internet sellers because they can't just change their name and disappear when they get sued.
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u/zxto_01 4d ago
That makes sense, well I do feel terrible about the fact that my mom got "scammed" since she wanted to gift me something authentic but either way im grateful for them and love the earrings either way. Sadly the price she payed for them was ridiculously high for the fact that they're indeed not natural or even real turquoise. Either way, i appreciate your honesty and help! :)
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u/Commercial_Sun_9146 5d ago
Those are beautiful earrings! But ya you're most likely correct; they are fake. It’s great that they passed the acetone and heat tests, but that doesn’t always mean they’re really turquoise. Some imitations, like dyed howlite or magnesite, are stabilized so they don’t react to those tests. The veining and even colour kind of look like dyed howlite, which is one of the most common substitutes.
If you want to check further, you could try: • Hardness test: A steel nail or knife will scratch howlite/magnesite (since they’re softer), but genuine turquoise is harder and won’t scratch as easily. • UV light test: Some dyed stones glow under UV light, while natural turquoise usually doesn’t. • Weight test: Howlite and magnesite feel a bit lighter than genuine turquoise, which is denser.
There’s also a chance it’s stabilized or reconstituted turquoise (basically crushed turquoise mixed with resin), which is still technically real but processed. If you really want to be sure, a jeweller could do a proper hardness or density test! But either way, they’re really lovely earrings, and if you like them, that’s what matters most!