Spent $75 on a 'rare' crystal that turned out to be dyed glass

I was at a gem show in Tucson last month and got really excited about this deep blue 'celestite' cluster. The seller said it was from a new find in Madagascar and I paid $75 cash for it. Got it home under good light and the color was way too perfect. Did a scratch test with a steel nail and it left a mark, which real celestite shouldn't do. Turns out it's just dyed quartz or maybe even glass. I'm out the money and feel pretty silly for not checking it better at the booth. Has anyone else been burned by a fake mineral at a show before?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_stone4523d ago

Remember buying a "turquoise" ring at a flea market. Took it off to wash my hands and the blue ran all over the sink.

anna_fox723d ago

My friend had that happen with a bracelet. She thought she was bleeding blue ink for a second.

amy_adams1318d ago

Heard some sellers use UV lights to spot fakes.