This educational display containing a collection of common to rare minerals as well as a selection of fossils from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras has been traveling since the fall of 2016. The exhibit is currently on display at the Racine Public Library until the end of April. A portion of the display is pictured to the left. It is scheduled for additional locations throughout the rest of this year, with more dates to be announced in the future.
With all of the current processes of faking turquoise out there, and new techniques always being developed, how does someone tell the difference between the real and the fake? Identifying real turquoise from fake can be very difficult at times, as some of the fake specimens look virtually identical to the real thing. With that said, here's some suggestions for aiding in differentiating the real from the fake.
Reputable Dealers
Buy from trusted, reputable dealers and sources. Ask them if they know where the turquoise comes from (source), how long they've been selling and if they've checked the specimen for authenticity.
Color Inconsistencies
Although natural turquoise does have variations in color, look for places where color and dyes have collected (dye lines), places where dye didn't get to the specimen such as the bottom, or chips on the specimen that reveal white under the dye. If there is a hole in the specimen, look inside the hole to see if the color is throughout the specimen, or simply an outer coating of dye with a white "undyed" interior.
Price
Does the price of the specimen seem consistent with other similar specimens on the market, or is it too good to be true?
As with many other minerals and fossils on the market, it's "buyer beware" when purchasing turquoise. Educate yourself on the look and average pricing of turquoise along with basic faking techniques. Go to reputable dealers that you know and trust, and ask questions regarding the specific specimen that interests you. Real turquoise is still out there. With a bit of education and luck, you can find some also.
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Highlight on Fake Turquoise continued...
Virtual Museum of Geology
Traveling Display