Q gemstones
Druzy Quartz - imitation
This stone is a plastic imitation of treated druzy quartz.
Druzy Quartz - treated
Natural quartz with a coating applied to create an iridescent effect.
![Mystic or Aurora Quartz](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/3/20231058/1540x1155.jpg?1666946871)
Mystic Quartz
"Mystic" or "aurora" stones have a coating applied to create an iridescent effect - usually only on the bottom (pavilion) of the stone.
![](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/3/5/20358159/996x995.png?1675071673)
Rainbow Quartz
Sold as natural, this quartz has been dyed various colours, some of which ran when the stone was placed in water.
![fake rutilated quartz](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20194405/1080x1080.jpg?1665240077)
Rutilated quartz
Sold as "certified", hue enhanced (!) but it is 2 layers of glass with what I can only describe as a layer of tinsel glued between the 2 (air bubble arrowed).
![imitation tourmalinated quartz](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/3/20234429/1654x1654.jpg?1667145826)
Tourmalinated quartz
imitation (black "needles" glued between synthetic quartz top and bottom).
R gemstones
![Rainbow calsilica](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/8/20187331/1565x1361.jpg?1664906915)
Rainbow calsilica
This "gemstone" has been found to be pulverised carbonate rock mixed with at least two artists' pigments and stabilised with a polymer.
Rhodochrosite
resin imitation.
![Glass filled (GF) ruby](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/2/20125190/2000x2000.jpg?1661443210)
Ruby
This is a ruby but an industrial grade one which has been heavily treated and may be 40% (or more) red glass! Look for lines on the facet surfaces. May be described as GF or Glass Filled.
![synthetic ruby](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/1/20216340/665x665.jpg?1666270963)
Synthetic Ruby
A manmade, synthetic ruby which has the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a natural ruby.
![fake trapiche ruby](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/2/20222264/245x223.jpg?1666602283)
Trapiche Ruby
Spotted on the internet - if it's like my trapiche emerald it may be dyed quartz, with the dark trapiche markings drawn on with pen! I'm pretty confident it is not a natural trapiche ruby...
S gemstones
![synthetic sapphire](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/1/20216331/640x640.jpg?1666270817)
Synthetic Sapphire
A manmade, synthetic sapphire which has the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a natural sapphire. Can be produced in most colours including colour change.
![Sapphire doublet](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/2/20125043/940x788.jpg?1661439679)
Sapphire doublet
Natural sapphire crown (top) with synthetic sapphire bottom (pavilion). The join line can be seen along the girdle.
![fake trapiche sapphire](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/2/20222263/204x204.jpg?1666602237)
Trapiche Sapphire
Spotted on the internet - if it's like my trapiche emerald it may be dyed quartz, with the dark trapiche markings drawn on with pen! I'm pretty confident it is not a natural trapiche sapphire...
Slocum stones
glass imitation opals.
![Synthetic blue spinel](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195691/1309x982.jpg?1665327738)
Synthetic Spinel
A manmade, synthetic spinel which has the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a natural spinel. Commonly seen as blue but can be produced in most colours.
![Surfite cabochon](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195607/1654x1654.jpg?1665325545)
Surfite
is cut from layers of hardened resin which have built up in the process of making surfboards
T gemstones
Blue Topaz/Mother of pearl doublet
has a layer of blue topaz glued to the top of a layer of mother of pearl.
![Mystic topaz](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20194325/354x354.jpg?1665236671)
Mystic Topaz
"Mystic" or "aurora" stones have a coating applied to create an iridescent effect - usually only on the bottom (pavilion) of the stone.
![Synthetic quartz imitating watermelon tourmaline](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20194507/1065x1067.jpg?1665243409)
Tourmaline
These are synthetic quartz made to imitate watermelon tourmaline (not very well!).
![Soude Paraiba tourmaline](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/1/20216499/1234x1263.jpg?1666273325)
Soude Paraiba Tourmaline
Colourless top and bottom (may be quartz, synthetic spinel, sapphire or beryl) glued together with blue glue. This can clearly be seen from the side.
![Compressed turquoise](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195652/1200x900.jpg?1665326624)
Compressed Turquoise
Chips of turquoise, compressed and bonded together with resin.
![Turquoise dyed howlite](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195677/1200x900.jpg?1665327246)
Howlite Turquoise
is off-white howlite which has been dyed to imitate turquoise.
Magnesite Turquoise
is off-white magnesite which has been dyed to imitate turquoise.
![Mojave turquoise - a manmade gemstone](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/8/20189376/1080x1184.jpg?1664996384)
Mojave Turquoise
are a mix of natural or dyed turquoise pieces, set in a metallic effect resin matrix.
![Stabilised turquoise](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195661/1200x900.jpg?1665326751)
Stabilised Turquoise
Natural turquoise which has been impregnated with resin or plastic to improve its durability.
![synthetic turquoise](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20195569/1654x1654.jpg?1665324821)
"Synthetic" Turquoise
A manmade material created by sintering (heating and compressing) calcite powder and pigmentation.
Turquoise/Quartz doublet
is a layer of quartz glued to a layer of turquoise.
U, V & W gemstones
![Welsh Blue cabochon](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/1/9/20194538/1233x1280.jpg?1665244050)
Welsh Blue
A by-product of the iron smelting process in Wales.
X, Y & Z gemstones
![](https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/66/1/9/661939/20/2/1/20212280/1654x1654.jpg?1666098173)
None yet but this resource is continually being added to.