Turquoise: look-alikes and how to tell
Short answer
Turquoise is commonly confused with dyed howlite or magnesite, reconstituted or stabilised turquoise, glass and plastic, variscite.
Whether it is natural, stabilised or reconstituted turquoise.
Look-alikes
- dyed howlite or magnesite
- reconstituted or stabilised turquoise
- glass and plastic
- variscite
What to look at
Colour that is too even, matrix that looks painted and dye concentrated in cracks point to dyed howlite.
What settles it
- Gemmologist: specific gravity and spectrum.
Frequently asked
What can turquoise be mistaken for?
dyed howlite or magnesite; reconstituted or stabilised turquoise; glass and plastic; variscite.
How can I tell turquoise from its look-alikes?
Gemmologist: specific gravity and spectrum.