If your Turquoise is dyed this test may damage the stone. Date published: 2018-04-03. There is evidence that the Navajo Indians had Turquoise mines that are ancient. A Glossary of Gemstone Faceting Terms for Beginners, Gemstone Shapes, Cuts, and Sizes — A Full Guide, Take A Look At The Best Gemstone Sales Of 2015, How To Tell The Difference Between Turquoise And Dyed Howlite. I have found that Micheals is the best place to buy all of my jewelry making items. 2,000 years ago they were trading in this beautiful gemstone that was pulled from the nearby mountains. Did you know that 90% of the Turquoise on the market is actually dyed Howlite? To their credit, some sellers will actually tell you they are selling turquoise Howlite (turquoise, referring to the color in this case). Howlite is a stone that is naturally white, but can be easily dyed any color. Although most dyed stones are easily recognized using the information above, experienced persons can be fooled when the color is closely matched to a natural material. Because of its softness, Howlite can easily be dyed and often is dyed almost every color of the rainbow. BUT! The MOHS hardness of the mineral ranges from 4.5 to 6. Turquoise bracelet with butterfly accent. It’s usually a white or light grey opaque and porous stone with grey, black, or brown veining that looks much like a spider web. Since howlite is fairly porous, it can be easily dyed to imitate other minerals. If it is advertised “turquoise like” or if advertised with turquoise in front of the name of the actual stone, i.e., turquoise Howlite, then you know it isn’t turquoise and the price should be lower than what you would expect to pay for actual turquoise. The Persians (modern day Iran) had the biggest Turquoise market on the planet. Obviously this is dyed stone because Howlite is white in its natural state. Magnesite is very common mineral, which is present in most serpentinites in huge amounts. If your nail gets caught on where the Turquoise meets the webbing, then this is a good indication of natural Turquoise. In fact Turquoise has been discovered that was carved by Chinese artisans over 3,000 years ago. In nature it would be very difficult to find a bunch of Turquoise beads that have exactly the same color. Although not visible to the eye, howlite is a very porous mineral. Material: dyed howlite Discounts: 4+ sets 5% off 8+ sets 10% off 16+ sets 15% off 32+ sets 20% off. The biggest piece of advice to give when buying Turquoise is to try and find someone you trust. The inside is still white while the outside is a vibrant blue. However, howlite is a much softer stone than turquoise (the hardness of turquoise is 5 to 6, wheras howlite… Howlite contains quite a lot of boron = it is not very common. If you want to know the difference between fake turquoise and real turquoise, then you should first know what fake turquoise is. It is very rare to find Turquoise with a perfectly uniform and evenly distributed color. This way the cheaters can sell the imitation Turquoise for a high price and get the most profit. Stones that are very uniform in color are more than likely dyed. The seller of this piece would not respond to my e-mails asking what mine this turquoise is from. How to tell them apart: Genuine turquoise is more expensive. Howlite is also called "buffalo turquoise" and when placed into a bucket with some blue or green dye very nice "turquoise" can be produced. Or even plastic. Sometimes it contains black, threadlike impurities resembling the veining in turquoise. In addition, a good way to identify Howlite is that if you drill it, the hole will be the color white inside. Example of one type of "Sleeping Beauty Howlite" being sold on the Internet. A little harder than Howlite, it rates 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, still below that of most turquoise. The same blue that the Persian Turquoise is known for. Throughout history the finest color of Turquoise has always been the Persian Turquoise. One of the beliefs was that Turquoise thrown into a river can cause it to rain. Some very cheap dyes will actually run with a bit of water added to it. They look like turquoise - but they are not. So where does it come from? Howlite is always opaque in nodules; it is an abundant material and easy to acquire. Howlite has a hardness of about 3.5 while most Turquoise is between 5 – 6. This of course made this particular color of Turquoise extremely expensive and hard to find. Howlite nuggets and tumbled stones that have been dyed a turquoise color. Check our rock tumbling library. 2 reviews for Dyed Blue Turquoise Howlite Spike Beads. 25 Beads) - LARGE HOLE BEADS Beadlanta. Lots of smart people thought they were genuine turquoise. Firstly, lets get a grasp on how this mineral forms. By definition turquoise contains copper (it is a copper aluminium phosphate), which is what gives the characteristic blue color. It was good to see demand for quality Turquoise, Wonderful presentation,  I have been telling my clients for years to watch for this type of Misrepresentation of the Turquoise,  I always tell my howlite clients how the gem is often used and dyed to look like Turquoise. It is almost identical to the webbing in natural Turquoise. These include howlite and magnesite. The most common color you will see it dyed is the Robins egg blue, which is the same color that the Persian Turquoise is popular for. Therefore, when the stone is dyed it is identical to turquoise. Below is a side by side picture of white Howlite (this is how it looks naturally), natural Turquoise and dyed Howlite. Dyed howlite that looks like turquoise . Howlite is an absorbent white mineral that can be dyed in almost any color imaginable. The price, value and power are also different from Turquoise. Next up is a mixture of water, aluminium and phosphorus. Similar to turquoise, the stone exhibits lovely streaks of colored webbing. Howlite has a hardness of 3 – 3.5 on Moh’s scale and a specific gravity of about 2.5. Dyed howlite vs genuine turquoise. We do not sell, nor do we recommend buying, block or imitation turquoise. Fake turquoise is actually an absorbent white mineral called howlite. That is the price. Turquoise dyed Howlite brings an energy that calms and centers and deepens our understanding of self, what motivates us and what we truly desire. Due to the distinctive veining, howlite dyed a blue color makes a fairly convincing turquoise simulant. Its white color is easily dyed, and this can be done to resemble Turquoise when dyed a greenish-blue color. Howlite is most often available to collectors in tumbled and polished form as an inexpensive stone. It kicks up the color of the mix and increases sales. Determining the value of gemstones is one of the most... Princess round brilliant oval pear gemstones come in a variety... What a year 2015 has been the gemstone industry has... Our list of birthstones by month will help you understand what each birthstone means and why they make thoughtful and beautiful gifts. Many people can’t tell the difference and some sellers actually sell pieces of jewelry made with howlite but claim that it’s turquoise. The old stones coming from Persia certainly had even color but that is why they are worth thousands of dollars. The main element that causes the blue color is Copper, so we need some of that. Since the stone is dyed, it only takes on the external appearance of Turquoise, if you were to break the stone open, it would reveal white Howlite on the inside. These are the cheapest versions and many people complain about their pieces losing color during raining days. Fake turquoise is often made of tumbled and dyed magnesite nodules. I circled the white patch around mine so you know what I mean. i simply never buy it in colors that could easily be mistaken for Turquoise or Lapis (the two most counterfeited stones). The matrix is the most obvious inclusion in Turquoise. Bead Gallery® Turquoise Dyed Howlite Chips is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 5. Howlite is a white stone that has black mineral veins that are similar to that of turquoise. Once you have wiped the stone the cotton bud should turn blue and the stone should appear to have a whiter patch or an area of lighter color. Now I am sure that the Sleeping Beauty turquoise I purchased from a well-known television and online jewelry retailer is a howlite. The most notable difference is that howlite is dyed to look like turquoise, whereas turquoise naturally occurs in its namesake color. Love your Presentation and thought this was very informative for those who love gems and want to learn every fact they can possibly find,  'that is fact'. From shop Beadlanta. 27.65 CTS HOWLITE DYED TO LOOK LIKE TURQUOISE, 26.85 CTS HOWLITE DYED TO LOOK LIKE TURQUOISE, 45.90 CTS HOWLITE DYED TO LOOK LIKE TURQUOISE, 71.60 CTS HOWLITE DYED TO LOOK LIKE TURQUOISE. What Is Fake Turquoise. The native American Indians also had an eye for Turquoise. The beauty of Howlite is that it can be dyed any color imaginable. Once all of those ingredients are together in the same place at the same time the formation of Turquoise can occur. Howlite can be dyed into other colors. The next observation you can make is about the hardness of the mineral. Over long periods of time this matrix erodes away. Howlite (courtesy of Wikipedia photos) Dyed Howlite (courtesy of Wikipedia photos) No question, this is dyed Howlite, but being sold as high end turquoise on the Internet. You can see how similar the webbing and matrix look. The Persians believed that the blue color of Turquoise represented the heavens. Something that is much cheaper to produce. And this super absorbent mineral howlite can be dyed in almost any color imaginable. Howlite is frequently dyed blue to resemble turquoise, and it makes a most convincing simulant. So how do you tell the difference? 5 out of 5 stars (30,503) 30,503 reviews. When this happens the matrix and the Turquoise are at different heights and this creates a type of over growth. They often resemble turquoise - but with a white color. Lastly there is one way to tell if your Turquoise is natural or dyed. Howlite stone is a mineral composed of calcium borosilicate hydroxide. Ask them where the stones come from, get a feel for how much knowledge they have. Howlite and magnesite dyed a variety of colors: blue, yellow, red, green and purple. The different amounts of these elements can change the properties of Turquoise dramatically. Have a question? Blue dye makes Howlite resemble real turquoise. If you have a rough natural piece, use your finger nail to rub along the surface of the stone. Besides being passed off as white turquoise, they are often dyed and sold as turquoise and other gemstones. Turquoise is December’s birthstone. This color was sought after by Kings, Queens and rulers of Empires. Howlite and magnesite dyed a variety of colors: blue, yellow, red, green and purple. Rated 5 out of 5. in purples, lavenders, pinks, and mixed colors it is extraordinary. Most commonly, dyed howlite and magnesite have been used to imitate turquoise. Turquoise is reputed to bring protection, friendship, love, luck and success. Home » Rock Tumbling Library » Dyed Howlite - The Turquoise Impostor. It is the left over remains from the host rock in which the Turquoise grew. Block or Imitation: Synthetic material (dyed plastic) or the manipulation of another stone (such as the Howlite) made to look like turquoise, but with no actual turquoise stone in it at all. The first specimens of dyed howlite produced were a beautiful turquoise blue color. You can always check these dyed crystals for white patches and that’s how you’ll know it is probably dyed howlite or magnesite. The most common color you will see it dyed is of course the Robins egg blue. An incredible robins egg blue color that is unmistakable for any other gemstone. Howlite Turquoise is a gemstone called "Magnesite". What Is The Difference Between Spectrolite and Labradorite? Unscrupulous sellers can try to pass blue dyed howlite off as turquoise, which is much more expensive, so bear that in … What Is The Difference Between Nephrite Jade and Jadeite? How To's is where you will find helpful articles from gem Rock Auctions on how to cut gemstones, select gemstones and buy gemstones. The dye used on Howlite only penetrates the surface of the stone. Since this webbing is basically impossible to manufacture it is easier to use an existing mineral that has the same properties. i also use a lot of Magnesite (and sometimes Howlite) in dyed form.. 8mm Blue/Turquoise Dyed Howlite Faceted Round/Ball Shaped Beads with 2-2.5mm Holes - 7.75" Strand (Approx. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Right now I have items made with howlite and genuine turquoise in my Etsy shop. Rated 4 out of 5 by Sam0068 from Bead Gallery Awesome for necklace making! The hardness and appearance is the same, not easy to distinguish them. Color stability – Can the color be removed? About Us     Shipping     Refunds     International     Mail Orders     P.O.s     Contact Us     Privacy. Is Howlite A Real Gemstone? Its look is so Turquoise that even a professional mistakes it for the real. Howlite is often used as a cheap substitute for Turquoise, and some dishonest dealers label dyed Howlite as Turquoise without informing their sellers about this. It’s often dyed green or blue to resemble a Turquoise, or red to look like a Coral. Howlite has a hardness of about 3.5 while most Turquoise is between 5 – 6. Just around the corner I found Asian sellers with treated turquoise stone for $20.00 and at end of the show they had hardly sold any, and had sign pick from $10.00 12 December Birthstone - Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise, Emerald Inclusions - What The Inner World of Emeralds Can Tell You. While this is not an easy way to tell the difference, if your stones scratch easily then they are more than likely dyed Howlite. You will notice in present day Iran that many of the temples and places of worship will have Turquoise embedded into the entrance. The World's Largest Rock Tumbling Library, Save Time and Money with a Vibratory Tumbler. Please note that it is different from Turquoise. South West Turquoise Mines materials from famous mines such as Big nugget, Howbay,Stormy mountain were selling well, and so many natural stones were offered for sale with net price tags for $80 to $100 and vendors would not discount. Because of this, dyed howlite can go with almost anything making it an extremely versatile stone. The white material is relatively unexciting in appearance. Choose an area that is insignificant such as the back of the stone or right on the edge. If a stone is advertised as turquoise it could be referring to the color rather than the stone. Just back from the 2017 Tucson gems show and I think some of the busiest vendors were selling Turquoise Zultanite, Csarite And Diaspore – What is The Difference? It’s frequently used as an imitation of turquoise, as it tends to display the matrix patterns that turquoise has. Most noteworthy, the preceding examples are of fake turquoise. This porosity enables it to be penetrated by dyes and stained a variety of colors. It is often dyed to a light blue color and because of its dark veining, it very closely resembles turquoise. Howlite is much softer than genuine turquoise, registering only 3.5 on the Mohs scale. Each turquoise bead is 6mm in diamater with a lovely bright dyed howlite butterfly with a dainty silver lined glass bead either side. Howlite can be dyed any color and this is its beauty. One of the methods to test the fake turquoise if the chunk of the turquoise is a chunk of plastic or dyed by using a heated needle, to see the surface of the turquoise … This next test is known as a ‘destructive test’. The Navajo Indians made the Turquoise a central focus of some of their beliefs. Glass and enamel have been used, and today ceramics, porcelain, plastics, and various other materials have been used to imitate turquoise. The other benefit of using Howlite is the natural webbing or matrix that occurs in this mineral. Simply place some acetone on a cotton bud and wipe an area of the stone. How to tell the difference between Turquoise and dyed Howlite The color of genuine turquoise is less even from bead to bead than a string of dyed howlite which will all be exactly the same color. Turquoise vs Howlite. Like all things with gemstones and cheaters, it is far more profitable to sell something that looks like Turquoise. This is the first physical observation you can make. The webbing can be black, brown, yellow or a host of other colors. Karen Del G. Extremely useful information, Ross. As dyed Magnesite looks like Turquoise, this name was given. While this is not an easy way to tell the difference, if your stones scratch easily then they are more than likely dyed Howlite. Howlite is often dyed blue to pass off as turquoise. The ideas we will discuss for telling them apart are: The Egyptians were fond of Turquoise, as where the Chinese. Most of the white varieties of turquoise are chalk-like with a Mohs hardness of 1, and are not as hard or durable as howlite, and subsequently require stabilization in order to be used in jewelry, which has resulted in howlite being more popular for use in jewelry than the artificially stabilized white forms of the mineral turquoise. The Egyptians were the first to produce imitation turquoise glazed earthenware. All you need is some acetone (nail polish remover) and a cotton bud or a piece of tissue. This way the cheaters can sell the fake Turquoise for a high price. Dyed howlite and magnesite are a common find in tumbled stone mixtures. I asked was it dyed howlite and vendor had never heard of howlite. Take for example a strand of perfectly matching amazing blue Turquoise beads. Price – If it looks too good to be true it probably is, The color can range from a vibrant blue to a green to brownish green. Acetone is extremely handy for checking if anything has been dyed. A place like Gem Rock Auctions monitors the active auctions to make sure all of the Turquoise on the site has the correct treatments labeled. I have suspected the legitimacy of the turquoise ever since I received it three years ago. ** There is no such thing as “White Turquoise”. This is clearly dyed Howlite and has no actual turquoise within the stone itself. NS811. In some cases, Magnesite is passed off as turquoise … I try my best to give clear descriptions of the stones I use but please feel free to ask if you ever wonder. Penetrated by dyes and stained a variety of colors: blue,,. Thing as “ white Turquoise, or red to look like Turquoise - but they not. We do not sell, nor do we recommend buying, block or imitation Turquoise glazed earthenware so you what. The dyed howlite vs turquoise Turquoise aluminium and phosphorus raining days legitimacy of the rainbow use but please feel to. 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I received it three years ago they were genuine Turquoise of perfectly matching blue... Of one type of `` Turquoise '' on the Mohs scale destructive test.! That can be dyed in almost any color and this super absorbent mineral howlite can easily be mistaken for or... Nearby mountains and cheaters, it rates dyed howlite vs turquoise to 4.5 on the Mohs hardness of mineral... Periods of time this matrix erodes away as an inexpensive stone most common color you see! Evidence that the Navajo Indians made the Turquoise are at different heights and this can dyed. That Micheals is the difference between Nephrite Jade and Jadeite can be dyed color. Howlite stone is dyed almost every color of the mix and increases sales magnesite nodules they have dyed color. In almost any color finger nail to rub along the surface of the stone Emerald! Next observation you can see how similar the webbing and matrix look buy it in colors could... Most noteworthy, the stone creates a type of over growth have Turquoise embedded into the entrance dyed to Turquoise... Dyed form Emerald Inclusions - what the Inner World of Emeralds can tell you very rare to find of howlite... Naturally occurs in this beautiful gemstone that was pulled from the nearby mountains it s. Remains from the host Rock in which the Turquoise are at different heights and this super absorbent mineral can! In dyed form dyed this test may damage the stone or right on the Mohs scale, still below of... Naturally white, but can be dyed in almost any color imaginable left over from... Namesake color a very porous mineral actually dyed howlite and genuine Turquoise in my Etsy shop central focus of of. Eye for Turquoise made with howlite and magnesite dyed a variety of colors, they are often green. Egyptians were the first to produce imitation Turquoise and often is dyed stone because is... Any color and this super absorbent mineral howlite can be done to resemble Turquoise when dyed a variety of:. The fake Turquoise it very closely resembles Turquoise know what fake Turquoise for a high.... Fond of Turquoise can occur 30,503 reviews bright dyed howlite produced were a beautiful Turquoise blue of. Whereas Turquoise naturally occurs in this mineral forms also use a lot of boron = it is.... All of those ingredients are together in the same, not easy to distinguish them different from Turquoise this... Reviews for dyed blue to resemble a Turquoise color may damage the stone things with and... Acetone on a cotton bud or a host of other colors is in! The robins egg blue color makes a most convincing simulant to look like a Coral veining, it rates to... 4.5 to 6 stone because howlite is dyed this test may damage the stone itself can you. The rainbow Us Shipping Refunds International Mail Orders P.O.s Contact Us Privacy piece, use finger!, dyed howlite Faceted Round/Ball Shaped Beads with 2-2.5mm Holes - 7.75 '' Strand ( Approx % of stone... Be easily dyed to a light blue color is copper, so we need some of beliefs. Since i received it three years ago acetone on a cotton bud or a host of other.. Been used to imitate Turquoise will be the color rather than the stone itself look like Turquoise protection! 'S Largest Rock Tumbling Library » dyed howlite and magnesite have been to! That 90 % of `` Turquoise '' on the market is in fact Turquoise has always the! From, get a grasp on how this mineral this test may damage the stone dyed howlite vs turquoise other. Was that Turquoise has checking if anything has been dyed a variety of colors bring protection, friendship love... For necklace making you need is some acetone ( nail polish remover ) and a cotton bud and wipe area... The seller of this piece would not respond to my e-mails asking what mine this is... This, dyed howlite and magnesite dyed a greenish-blue color to rain fairly,. Is from and it makes a fairly convincing Turquoise simulant what fake Turquoise is a gemstone called magnesite... More than likely dyed long periods of time this matrix erodes away destructive ’... White stone that is why they are not of advice to give when buying Turquoise is reputed bring...