Asked on Jan 01, 2017
What is this stone/crystal?
+17
Hi! I have several of these cabochons. They are all Clear (glass like) except some have black "threads" through them as well as some white/frosty looking threads and spots. Some have more, some less "threads" My guess is that these are Tourmalinated Quartz. Does anyone have any suggestions? They feel like glass so I'm guessing they've been "tumbled". Could they be fake too? ANY suggestions/assistance would be greatly appreciated.
-Christine
PS: The pix look more cloudy. They are actually pretty clear.
These may also be Rutile Quartz!! Very lovely if so, but I am an amateur rockhound wo
You could have something similar to these.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h201316dg#logo_w_number
Yeah it's rutilated quartz.
I'll second rutilated quartz!
Rutile can be dark but more often gold my guess is tourmalinated quartz (black tourmaline in quartz).
I vote for tourmaline.
My first thought was tourmalinated quartz too. Rutile Quartz usually isn't as clear and the inclusions are brown and lighter like the color of rutile.
Yes, it is Rutile Quartz...it is usually used for jewelry and not overly easy to obtain.
Forgot the last part of your question: were they tumbled? No, they were worked on a Pixie which is what rock hunters and jewelers use to "cabachon" a stone. Cabachon is the cut and shape of the stone when finished.
As to being fakes, heat one with a match and then if you smell plastic burning, it is fake, if not, you can be pretty sure they are real.
(Former Silversmith)
It looks to me like quartz crystal with black tourmaline. I have several pieces myself.... beautiful stones. They can be wire wrapped for a pendant
tourmalinated quartz
Rutilated quartz (aka golden rutilated quartz)
I vote for quartz with tourmaline inclusions. Rutile is usually gold colored.
I have made these with Envirotec resin and black threads
You are most welcome:)
Rutile Quartz. They can be very beautiful. The color of the rutile can vary from brown, brownish red to black. I once even saw a dark green. The clarity of the quartz itself can vary some as well.
You're right. Rutilated quartz threads can be black as well as other colors. It's hard to find. it's makes beautiful pendants.
I agree, yes with inclusions of that nature, it is tourmulated and probably like you said, quartz crystal.