FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[appies]

Hello all,

I'm new on the forum. I have a question about a morganite crystal.

This is an item from Urucum mine, Galiléia, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This piece has two sides who are straight and not etched. My question is or this is natural of pollised.

Could someone help me?

Thanks a lot.

Greetings Albert

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi Apppies!
First of all it's sometimes difficult to detect whether a crystal is natural or polished/cut just from a photo (and this is the case), because some crystals are polished by following their natural shape. Then I think the major issue is whether a gemstone is natural or synthetic (synthetic beryls, including morganite, DO exist!!!), not whether a crystal is natural or polished. As an appearance, this crystal seems to me polished by following its natural shape. Maybe I'm wrong!
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.

[appies]

Hi riccardo.

Thanks for your reaction. Is it possible to findout whether this crystal is real or fake? I think its real because it came from a proper dealer.

Greetings albert

[bob kerr]

I believe these are natural. they've been on the market for sometime and I bought mine from carlos vasconselos who assured me that these are indeed natural, partially etched beryls.

here's two photos of mine - note that there is an overall hexagonal shape and also some only partially etched faces. these are quite interesting - although frankly calling these morganite is a bit of a stretch - goshenite is more appropriate.

also, the locality given to me by carlos was Rubelita Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

bob

[appies]

I've got an other piece from this mine with all end etched. I can't imagine this pieces are fake because of the etching and origin. I can see the same "pollished" side on your crystal. Thanks for your information!

[John S. White]

It is not at all unusual for crystals, especially those from pegmatites and especially beryls, even though extensively etched, to have faces that appear to have been untouched. Almost always, however, such faces will have some natural irregularities on their surface, even if a loupe is required to see them. By that I mean that they will not be perfectly smooth featureless mirrorlike planes. I believe your crystal is completely natural.

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi to everybody!
According to what Appies wrote: yes it is possible! If you see the crystal in through-light by a microscope, you will see the inclusions! If it contains mineral inclusions, healed fractures etc., it is natural. Exception: phenakite inclusions in synthetic beryls. If it contains residuals of flux substances (dark), or growth inhomogeneities etc., it is synthetic. About the shape: normally it is clearly sightable whether the crystal faces are natural or polished! The natural (untreated) ones usually show growth structures, which are hidden by the politure operation.
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.

[John S. White]

Riccardo, we are not discussing whether the crystal is natural or synthetic, we are discussing the flat faces which probably are natural even though much of the crystal is etched. Appies probably should not have used the word fake when he was referring to the possibility that the faces have been polished and not natural. I am sure he did not intend to suggest that the crystal might be synthetic.

[Riccardo Modanesi]

[herrej]

Hello Albert,

The pieces look natural to me.

I have an similar one from Sao Geraldo do Baixio, Minas Gerais.

You can take both pieces with you when you visit me. We can look at the edges if they are natural.

Regards

Harry Zondervan

[appies]

Harry,

Nice to see you on the forum. Will bring them with me next visit

Greetings albert

[cascaillou]

under the the microscope, a natural crystal facet usually show growth features, irregularities, or small defects, while polishing will erase any of these producing a smooth surface. Polished facets are also often slightly curved with dull angles. You might also check for polishing marks (curved striae seen on the surface of facets under magnification in reflected light)

Sometimes you also see crystals (mostly quartz) which have been completely recut with wrong angles between the facets.

Let's also note that sometimes, the facets of carbonate minerals are acid treated to improve luster (I'm not familiar with this treatment, but maybe someone here will be able to tell you how this can be spotted under magnification).