Most people who go shopping for gemstones abroad are in the business, and they know how markets operate. Here, we focus on gem enthusiasts and tourists who occasionally end up in gem-rich countries in Asia. And during their vacation, temptations to buy gemstones sneak into their schedules, and they will probably take action without a prior plan.
This article will discover the stones with the most imitations/fakes, show you how to detect scams quickly, and prevent risky situations to avoid. Plus, tips on buying genuine gemstones without a pinch of stress.
Imitations/Fakes
Let’s talk about the most common imitations out there.
Lab-grown stones are widely available because business folks tend to use substitutes due to the shortage of precious originals. As long as they don’t hide them from consumers, they should be fine for whoever uses them. Unfortunately, everyone at the market is not honest, and most of the time, unsuspecting buyers fall for them.
Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds are always the most commonly faked gemstones. And it is with these stones; you put on your alert face at all times.
Diamonds
How are they faked?
Diamonds perhaps have the most duplicates out there. Any colorless or white stone can look like a diamond to the untrained eye.
Most common imitations of a diamond include;
- Lab-grown
- Moissanite
- Cubic Zirconia
- Phenakite (super rare)
- White Topaz
- White Quartz
- Glass
Rubies
King of the gemstones, ruby has the most beautiful red color, and its imitations are all over the place. Using anything red to mistake ruby is probable; avoiding such a mistake is essential to protect yourself.
Red Tourmaline and Spinel are stunning red-colored natural gemstones that many use to deceive people as genuine rubies.
Most common imitations of Ruby include;
- Spinel
- Red Tourmaline
- Pink Sapphire
- Synthetic ruby
- Glass
- Any other red gemstone
Sapphires
Blue in color, it’s also commonly faked. Sapphires are amongst the most valuable stones globally. Due to their rarity, they are a perfect candidate for duplication.
The most common sapphire imitations include;
- Synthetic sapphire
- Synthetic blue spinel
- Glass
- Any other blue gemstone
Emerald
Another top stone, amongst the most expensive gemstones, also suffers from imitations and simulants.
Most common imitations of emerald include;
- Synthetic green spinel
- Quench-crackled colorless quartz
- Glass
- Green Garnet
How to deal with convincing salespeople
Early detection of fakes will save you time and money to do better shopping in your endeavor. Detection techniques do not work for all stones, but a universal approach is always a starter.
If you do not have experience or training, detecting fakes will be impossible. So, to detect scams and fraudsters, do a simple observation of their personality. Ask questions, do not bother to understand their viewpoint, rationale, or convincing analysis.
If you are after the big four we mentioned above, always insist on having a certificate of authenticity. A verifiable independent laboratory should be enough, and if they fail to agree to provide that, then be very alert.
Remember that you are dealing with people you’ve never met before and that you may never meet in the future. Please don’t take their words as facts; stick to your plan, and ask for original certification.
Risky Situations
Brazil, Columbia, Sri Lanka, and other Southeast Asia countries have an open-air markets that are sometimes hectic during business hours. Sellers behave like bus touts; it can be a scary and overwhelming experience.
When you reach these markets, people will rush to you, put gemstones on your hand, and expect you to have a quick look and buy. Too many people on your face suddenly will make you lose concentration, and you may lose your other valuables. Be careful with the items you carry when you visit these markets. Avoid taking a lot of cash with you, and watch your surroundings.
Don’t let people put stones on your hand, as they may easily fall off as you maybe pushed. Falling gemstones can easily break and create unsetling situation with possible demand for payment of a damaged stone.
Tips for buying stones abroad
1- Only buy cut and faceted gemstones
- Rough stones are widely available in the source countries because they are the primary producing source.
- Rough stones require expert analysis, and they are complicated to predict their outcome.
- If untrained, you can easily buy a worthless rough stone.
2- Only buy from stores with a physical address
Importance of physical stores;
- If anything goes wrong, you want a valid address and location to return to.
- Physical stores are a sign of genuine business.
- Authorities are aware of their business, and their actions are accountable.
3- Buy gemstones with a valid, verifiable gem laboratory certificate
- When buying a gemstone, you must always stick to asking for authenticity certification. That is your safety net, and you cannot underestimate their importance.
- Always cross-check details on the certificate of the gemstone. Also, verify digits on the certificate via website and both numbers must match.