Moss Agate is known for its unique moss pattern, which exudes a natural and earthy atmosphere. Every time you see it, it's like walking into a lush forest, surrounded by fresh air, full of life and vitality.
However, with the proliferation of fakes, finding real moss agate can be a little tricky. But don't worry! In this article, I will share 8 practical tips to help you identify the real thing from the fake moss agate!
Observe the Color
Moss agate comes in many colors, and the most common one is green. From refreshing light green to mysterious dark green, each one makes people can't help but take a deep breath. Of course, you can also find brown, black, red, yellow, blue and even gray.
No matter what color, moss agate should give people a soft and natural feeling. So, if you see a piece of agate with particularly bright and uniform color, you have to be a little suspicious. It may just be a dyed fake.
Look at the inclusions
Real moss agate has completely random, irregular inclusions that give it a natural beauty. Its texture is clear and fine, and if you find the inclusions are fuzzy or rough, then it is likely fake.
If the inclusions are too perfect, symmetrical, or like a carefully designed pattern? That is a red flag, it is definitely not real. Also, if a piece of so-called "moss agate" has no inclusions in it? Then, it is probably fake.
Pro Tip: Real moss agate is like snowflakes, each piece is unique. You will never find two pieces that are exactly the same!
Check the Transparency and Luster
Real moss agate ranges from transparent to translucent. When you try to hold it up to a strong light or shine a flashlight on it, you will find that its surface will emit a glassy clear luster.
Sometimes, you can even see a slight waxy luster, which is smooth and bright, very natural. And fake moss agate? It is usually a little cloudy, not so transparent, and the luster is either too bright or dull.
Touch and Density
Did you know that real moss agate feels like it was just picked up from the morning dew, with a natural cool feeling. In fact, this cool feeling is not accidental, but comes from its unique mineral properties.
In addition, due to the difference in mineral density, real moss agate is often heavier than fakes. If you have the opportunity, you might as well compare two. You will find that real moss agate has a heavy feeling in your hand, while the imitation may feel lighter.
Moss Agate Jewelry
Selected from natural Indian high quality authentic moss agate stone
Hardness Test
Hardness test is a simple and effective method! Real moss agate has a higher hardness, generally between 6.5 and 7. This means that it can easily scratch glass, but a steel knife may not leave any marks.
How to do it? Take a blade or anything sharp and gently scrape its surface. Real moss agate will not easily leave marks, and the surface will remain as smooth as before. If you encounter a fake moss agate, it may leave marks after a scratch.
Magnifying Glass Inspection
Grab a magnifying glass and carefully examine the stone like a detective. This is a fun process. You'll be surprised to find that natural moss agate has a smooth surface with few scratches or bubbles. Its moss-like inclusions are rich, delicate and vivid.
But what if you're holding a fake? It's like watching a bad fake movie: bubbles, scratches and unnatural synthetic textures are often immediately exposed, and flaws can be seen at a glance.
UV Test
You can also try this little trick: shine a UV light on the stone and see what happens. Real moss agate usually fluoresces naturally under UV light. And the fake ones? Maybe there's no reaction at all, or the fluorescence looks very unnatural.
Consult a Professional
Of course, if you doubt your test results, the most reliable way is to turn to a professional gemologist. They have advanced equipment and rich expertise to help you accurately determine the authenticity of the gem.
Even cooler, they can also tell you where the gem came from and even know if the gem has been specially "magically treated". Trust me, leave things to the professionals and you can easily handle everything.
Final Thoughts
I would like to say that choosing reputable merchants or brands can effectively reduce the risk of being cheated. It is also important to understand the market price. Any big discount that makes your heart beat faster should trigger your "alert mode" and don't be blinded by the bargain in front of you!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate, please feel free to contact us by email. By the way, our website has a series of articles and jewelry waiting for you to discover!
Other Articles
I've come across some great articles on this topic, and I thought you'd find them interesting too. Here are the links – feel free to check them out if you're interested!
Moss Agate Jewelry
Selected from natural Indian high quality authentic moss agate stone