How to determine the authenticity of pyrite?
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About pyrite
If I were to ask you if you have or know anyone who has pyrite jewelry, you would probably say no. But most of us have at least one set of marcasite stones, usually with an oxidized silver setting and perhaps black onyx inlays. Although true marcasite was used as a gemstone many years ago, it has long been replaced by its close relative, pyrite, which looks almost identical but is much more abundant, stable and wearable. Along the way, no one ever bothered to change the name, so we continue to use the incorrect name marcasite. The sparkling points of flashing light that make this type of jewelry shine are created from a set of rose cut pyrite beads (flat bottom, with the top faceted to the point).
Regardless of what we call it, this coppery-yellow iron sulfide mineral with a luminous metallic luster is a beautiful gemstone. In my opinion, its value and prestige were unduly tarnished by the unkind epithet “fool’s gold” with which it was often saddled. The name pyrite (“mineral of fire”) refers to the fact that when struck with a metal hammer, it emits sparks.
Of the two metal minerals commonly used as gemstones (hematite and pyrite), pyrite is much more common and versatile. Pyrite is essentially the most common sulfide mineral on Earth -> it can be found in sedimentary, metamorphic and volcanic rocks, and although the appearance of the crystals is disturbed, it will crystallize under a variety of temperatures and pressures. It seems that every temperature/pressure/host rock combination produces a different crystal appearance, so pyrite is one of the more variable minerals in this regard. As part of the hobby of collecting mineral specimens, there is a group of healthy people who specialize only in various forms of pyrite. Probably the most common ones you might see in rock stores are cubes, octahedrons and suns (flat disks), some of which also appear as beautiful inclusions in clear gemstones. Another place where the surface of the pyrite is the “golden” streaks, so to speak, which give some cabochon gemstones such as “Apache Gold” and “Oro Verde Serpentine” an attractive shine.
In addition to masquerading as maracite and incorporating gemstones, pyrite also “pyrites” fossils. The most common ammonite fossils we see are those whose shell minerals have been replaced by metallic yellow pyrite or an oxidized rainbow form of it. These twin works of the forces of biology and geology, although very inexpensive, are among nature’s most beautiful objects.
Value
Pyrite achieves its greatest value in its various crystalline forms as mineral specimens. Its value when used as a gemstone was usually quite modest. Well-pyritized fossils are admired and can be even more valuable when naturally oxidized to a rainbow finish. Inclusions demonstrate the appearance of the crystals, so look for samples with distinctive and clearly visible pyrite. In jewelry, this gemstone is recommended for its coppery yellow color and strong metallic luster, so highly polished examples without matrix or inclusions are most sought after.
Features
Compound:; iron sulfide FeS2 Gloss:; metal Hardness:; 6-6,5 Crystal structure:; isometric (cubic) Density:; 5 Refractive index:; > 1,81 (beyond standard refractometer)
If you are interested in how to distinguish real gold from a fake, then you need to pay attention to the sample. The stamp on a piece of jewelry is the most reliable evidence of its authenticity. It may differ depending on the country of manufacture. For example, on Soviet products they stamped the image of a five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle inside, and on modern jewelry created in Ukraine you will see a trident. You can determine the reliability of the sample using a magnifying glass or microscope. If the lines do not look clear enough or are too jagged, then this is a sign of a fake.
To prevent counterfeiting of gold, government agencies put special codes in the form of single letters on stamps. The meaning of these alphabetic characters is usually classified. The three-digit number on the stamp is a sample that expresses the percentage of precious metal content in digital equivalent. For example, a sample of 585 indicates that the product contains 58,5% gold and 41,5% impurities. Since gold is considered relatively soft, silver, platinum, nickel and more are added to it to increase its strength. The composition of the alloy directly affects the color shade of the jewelry.
Differences between gold and brass
Many people wonder how to distinguish gold from brass at home. For such cases, several reliable authentication methods have already been invented:
- You will need regular medical grade iodine. You can apply a few drops to the jewelry and wait a few minutes. If the color of the iodine has not changed, then congratulations – this is true gold. But if the drops have changed their shade, then it is a different metal.
- Another way to distinguish a fake involves using table vinegar. If you pour vinegar into a glass and immerse a piece of jewelry made of another metal in it, it should darken. Only real gold does not darken in such cases.
- If you are interested in how to distinguish brass from gold, then there is a method that many modern girls use. You will need foundation. If you apply it to the skin and then rub the jewelry over it, the strip should take on a gray tint. Otherwise, the jewelry cannot be considered gold.
- This method of distinguishing a fake is not recommended, but it also works. If you run a sharp knife across two gold items, the marks that appear should not be different. And if they are different, then one of the jewelry is not gold.
How to distinguish from copper?
Many people are interested in how to distinguish gold from copper at home, but this is a rather difficult task, and the problem is that these metals are soft. Our ancestors were very fond of testing gold by heart. It was believed that if you bite the yellow metal hard, a dent or at least a significant mark should remain on it. But in this way you will not distinguish the noble metal from copper, because it is also soft. Another thing is that after biting, dark metal may be revealed under the layer of gold plating, and it will become obvious that this is a fake.
The easiest way to distinguish copper from gold is associated with our heavenly body. You need to carefully examine the product in room lighting or in the shade, and then take it out into direct sunlight and compare. The color and shine of the true precious metal will not change. As for the fake, it will only shine in the sun. In poor lighting conditions, it will appear pale or colorless. If you have poor visual memory, you can use a camera with good resolution and color reproduction. The photographs will show how much the radiance and color have changed.
How to distinguish it from pyrite?
Not all jewelry connoisseurs think about how to distinguish gold from pyrite. This is a little-known mineral that can create sparks when struck. People sometimes call it “fire stone”. It consists of iron, copper, sulfur and other elements. The composition may also include gold, and in fairly large proportions.
Despite its little popularity, this stone is widely used in industry. It is part of sulfuric acid, cement, and ferrous sulfate. Pyrite can also be shiny and golden in color, which can cause confusion.
But how to distinguish pyrite from gold and not be deceived? The easiest way is by smell. Pyrite contains sulfur, which actively evaporates and gives off a characteristic odor. However, real gold does not smell of anything. The second sure sign is an uneven structure. Pyrite consists of small crystals that look like miniature, pointed cubes. Noble gold should be smooth and rounded (without irregularities that are visible and recognizable to the touch). Using an ordinary magnifying glass, you can easily distinguish pyrite, and you don’t need to be a jewelry expert to do this.
How to distinguish from bronze?
Jewelry connoisseurs do not often wonder how to distinguish gold from bronze, because they believe that they should differ in color. But there is such a thing as “gilding”. The basis of the jewelry can be bronze, and gold plating will give it a noble color. Bronze is not considered a precious metal, although it is used to make medals and other awards.
But everyone knows that bronze awards are valued less than silver and gold.
If you need to figure out how to distinguish fake from gold, you can again use iodine. One drop is enough to leave a residue on the noble metal. It can only be removed by polishing. As for bronze, there will be no traces left on it. Well, if we look at the chemical and physical properties, then gold is softer, it does not oxidize and does not rust. In addition, bronze weighs less and is one of the lightest metals known.
How to distinguish it from medical gold?
How to distinguish gold from medicinal gold is a common question among jewelry connoisseurs. Firstly, tests are not performed on medical metal. Precious metals are much more expensive than medical ones. Diamonds and other jewelry stones are used only in combination with noble alloys.
The precious yellow metal is easy to damage (for example, leave a dent). Medical alloys, on the contrary, are made to be very durable, because the health of patients often directly depends on them. And in this case, to distinguish, you can also use iodine, because it will not leave any traces on medical metal. And if a trace appears, it can be easily removed using available means.
