How to Tell if a Gemstone is Real?

Gemstones have long been prized for their beauty, rarity, and brilliance. However, with advancements in technology and synthetic alternatives flooding the market, identifying real gemstones has become increasingly difficult. Whether you’re purchasing an engagement ring, investing in a high-end jewelry piece, or evaluating a gemstone in your collection, knowing how to differentiate genuine stones from imitations is crucial.

Common Fake Gemstones & How to Identify Them

Many imitation gemstones are designed to look indistinguishable from real ones, but they lack the natural properties that give authentic gems their value and unique beauty. Below are some of the most commonly faked gemstones and how to tell them apart from the real deal;

1. Diamonds vs. Cubic Zirconia & Moissanite

Diamonds are the most sought-after gemstones, making them a frequent target for imitation. The two most common substitutes are cubic zirconia (CZ) and moissanite.

• Cubic Zirconia – A synthetic material with a similar sparkle but lacks the hardness and fire of a real diamond. It appears “too perfect” and has a lower refractive index.
• Moissanite – A lab-created gemstone that looks extremely close to a diamond but exhibits more fire (rainbow-like reflections).

How to Tell if a Diamond is Real

1. Use the fog test – Breathe on the gemstone. Real diamonds disperse heat immediately, while fakes fog up for a few seconds.
2. Look under a jeweler’s loupe – Real diamonds have natural inclusions, while cubic zirconia is flawless.
3. Use a diamond tester – This device measures thermal conductivity; diamonds conduct heat better than imitations.

2. Emeralds vs. Glass & Synthetic Emeralds

Emeralds are known for their deep green color and natural inclusions. However, glass-based imitations and lab-created emeralds attempt to replicate their beauty.

• Glass Imitations – These lack inclusions, have an overly smooth surface, and do not exhibit the same light dispersion as natural emeralds.
• Synthetic Emeralds – Chemically identical to natural emeralds but are grown in a lab and lack the rarity of a mined gemstone.

How to Spot a Fake Emerald

1. Hold the stone up to light – If it appears overly clear or lacks depth, it may be glass.
2. Check for bubbles – Air bubbles inside the stone indicate it is glass.
3. Examine color variations – A real emerald will have subtle color variations and natural inclusions.

3. Sapphires & Rubies vs. Lab-Created & Treated Stones

Sapphires and rubies belong to the corundum family and are highly prized for their intense colors. However, many on the market are heat-treated, dyed, or entirely synthetic.

• Lab-Created Sapphires & Rubies – These have the same chemical structure as natural gems but are manufactured in a lab, making them far less valuable.
• Glass-Filled Rubies – Low-quality rubies are sometimes treated with glass to fill cracks and improve clarity.

How to Identify a Fake Sapphire or Ruby

1. Use a magnification loupe – Natural sapphires and rubies contain inclusions, while synthetics appear too perfect.
2. Shine a UV light – Real sapphires and rubies exhibit fluorescence; fake ones may not.
3. Check for bubbles – As with emeralds, air bubbles can indicate a glass-filled or synthetic stone.

4. Pearls vs. Fake or Cultured Pearls

Natural pearls are extremely rare and valuable, leading to the production of cultured pearls, shell pearls, and plastic imitations.

• Natural Pearls – Formed organically within mollusks, each pearl has unique texture and iridescence.
• Cultured Pearls – Grown with human intervention in oysters, but still considered real pearls.
• Imitation Pearls – Made of plastic or coated glass, lacking the depth and warmth of real pearls.

How to Identify Real Pearls

1. Perform the tooth test – Gently rub the pearl against your teeth. Real pearls feel gritty, while fake ones are smooth.
2. Check the temperature – Genuine pearls feel cool to the touch, whereas imitations warm up quickly.
3. Observe the luster – Real pearls have a deep, radiant glow, while fakes often appear flat or dull.

5. Opals vs. Synthetic or Imitation Opals

Opals are beloved for their mesmerizing play of color, but fake versions made from resin or glass lack the same depth.

• Synthetic Opals – These are lab-grown and exhibit uniform color patterns.
• Imitation Opals – Made from glass or plastic, lacking natural opal’s signature fire.

How to Spot a Fake Opal

1. Hold it under light – Real opals display color play from all angles, while fakes often have a single color pattern.
2. Look for layering – Some synthetic opals have a clear resin top layer, making them appear unnatural.

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Do Gold Chains Hold Value?

Gold chains have long been a symbol of wealth, elegance, and timeless style. But beyond their aesthetic appeal, do gold chains hold value? 

What Are Karats?

The purity of gold is measured in karats, which indicates the proportion of gold in the alloy out of 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 karats, meaning it is 100% gold. However, pure gold is too soft for most jewelry purposes, so it is often alloyed with other metals to increase its durability.

Common Karat Values

• 24K: Pure gold, rarely used for chains due to softness.
• 22K: Contains 91.6% gold, has a rich color but is still quite soft.
• 18K: Contains 75% gold, a good balance of purity and durability.
• 14K: Contains 58.3% gold, popular for its durability and affordability.
• 10K: Contains 41.7% gold, more durable but less pure.

The value of a gold chain increases with the karat value, as higher karats mean a higher proportion of gold.

Factors Affecting the Value of Gold Chains;

Gold Market Price

The market price of gold fluctuates based on supply and demand, geopolitical stability, and economic factors. The current price of gold is a significant determinant of the value of your gold chain.

Weight and Length

Gold chains are typically sold by weight. Heavier chains contain more gold, increasing their value. The length of the chain also contributes to the overall weight, with longer chains generally being more valuable.

Design and Craftsmanship

Intricate designs and high-quality craftsmanship can significantly enhance the value of a gold chain. Chains with unique patterns or those that require skilled labor to produce tend to be more valuable.

Brand and Provenance

Chains from reputable jewelers or those with a known history can hold more value. Provenance, or the chain’s history of ownership, can also affect its value, especially if it has belonged to someone famous or notable.

Condition

The condition of the gold chain is crucial. Chains that are well-maintained and show minimal signs of wear are more valuable. Regular cleaning and proper storage can help maintain the chain’s condition.

Types of Gold Chains;

Solid Gold Chains

Solid gold chains are made entirely of gold alloy. These chains hold significant value due to their high gold content and durability. They are an excellent investment, maintaining value over time.

Hollow Gold Chains

Hollow gold chains look like solid gold chains but contain less gold. While they are lighter and more affordable, they are also less durable and hold less value compared to solid gold chains.

Gold-Plated Chains

Gold-plated chains have a thin layer of gold over a base metal. These chains are much less expensive and hold minimal value compared to solid or hollow gold chains. The gold layer can wear off over time, further reducing their value.

Gold chains hold significant value due to their gold content, design, and craftsmanship. By understanding the factors that affect their value and ensuring proper care and maintenance, you can make a sound investment in gold jewelry. Source

Uncovering the Hidden Value of Precious Metal Dental Scrap

Have you ever wondered about dental restoration materials like crowns, bridges, or implants? You may be surprised to learn that these materials are not just waste but valuable sources of precious metals that can be recycled and refined.

The Inner Workings of Precious Metal Dental Scrap

Precious metal dental scrap is any material left over from old dental restorations that contain gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. These metals are used in dentistry because they are durable, corrosion-resistant, and biocompatible. However, they are also very expensive and scarce, which makes them attractive to investors and refiners. Precious metal dental scrap has value because it can be melted down and purified to recover the precious metals inside. These metals can be used for various purposes, such as making new jewelry, coins, bars, or industrial products. Recycling dental scrap can help reduce the demand for mining new metals, which has environmental and social impacts.

Precious Metal Dental Scrap Under a Microscope

Dental scrap can vary in size, shape, color, and quality depending on the type of restoration and the amount of precious metals present. Some dental scrap may look like pure gold or silver, while others may look like white metal or ceramic. Other dental scraps may have other metals or materials mixed in with the precious metals, such as base metals (e.g., copper or nickel), porcelain, resin, or amalgam. The amount of precious metals in dental scrap depends on several factors, such as the age of the restoration, the manufacturer of the material, the preference of the dentist or patient, and the cost of the metal at the time of fabrication. Generally, older restorations tend to have higher percentages of precious metals than newer ones, as they were made when the metals were cheaper and more available. However, this is not always the case. The only way to determine the exact amount of precious metals in dental scrap is to have it tested by a professional refiner who can use advanced equipment and techniques to analyze its composition and purity.

Value of Precious Metal Dental Scrap

Precious metal dental scraps are valuable because they can be melted down and purified to recover the precious metals inside. These metals can be used for various purposes, such as making new jewelry, coins, bars, or industrial products.

The value of dental scrap depends on factors such as:

• The quantity of dental scrap
• The quality of dental scrap
• The current market prices of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium
• The fees and charges of the buyer

Precious metal dental scrap is a valuable source of income that many people overlook or ignore. By selling your dental scrap to a reputable buyer who can offer you a fair price based on the current market value of precious metals, you can earn extra money and help protect the environment by recycling precious metals instead of discarding them. Source

Circulated vs. Uncirculated Coins: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

There are two primary types of coins: circulated and uncirculated. 

The main difference between these two types of coins is their condition. 

• Circulated coins have been used in everyday transactions and thus have been subject to wear and tear. Circulated coins are made using a process called “minting,” which involves stamping the coin design onto a blank coin. 
• Uncirculated coins have never been used in circulation and are thus in pristine condition.Uncirculated coins are made using a process called “plating,” which involves coating a blank coin with a thin layer of metal.

What Are The Different Grades Of Uncirculated Coins

There are two different grades of uncirculated coins: business strike and proof. 

• Business strike coins are struck for circulation, while proof coins are specially made for collectors. 
• Proof coins are more carefully struck, resulting in a higher-quality finish. 

The Sheldon numerical system is also used for grading coins. Under this system, uncirculated coins can be graded from MS60 (barely uncirculated) to MS70 (perfect). If you’re new to collecting or investing in coins, circulated coins may be an excellent place to start. They’re usually more affordable than uncirculated coins and can still be quite collectible.

How Can You Spot the Difference between Circulated and Uncirculated Coins?

You can spot the difference between circulated and uncirculated coins in a few ways.

• Look at the coin’s surface. Circulated coins will have scratches and wear from handling, while uncirculated coins will be free of these marks. 
• Look at the coin’s edge. Circulated coins often have nicks or gouges, while uncirculated coins have smooth edges. 
• Look at the coin’s luster. Uncirculated coins will have a bright, shiny luster, while circulated coins will often have a duller luster.

Circulated coins are less expensive than uncirculated coins, so if you’re on a budget, circulated coins are a better option. Circulated coins may be cheaper, but they are likely not in mint condition and have lost some value over time. 

Uncirculated coins are more valuable since they retain their original condition. While they cost more, their condition means they will likely retain or increase in value. To provide an approximate value for a coin, it’s essential to consult reliable coin pricing guides, reference books, or consult with reputable coin dealers. Source

The Origin of the Pot of Gold

The "pot of gold at the end of a rainbow" originates from Irish folklore, where leprechauns, a type of mischievous fairy, are said to hide their treasures, including gold, at the elusive end of a rainbow, a place that is impossible to reach. The concept of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow is deeply rooted in Irish folklore, where leprechauns are depicted as small, solitary fairies who are known for their mischievous nature and skill in shoe-making. 

In Irish folklore, leprechauns are said to have hidden pots of gold, which they have amassed over the centuries, often buried in secret locations marked by the elusive end of a rainbow.  The rainbow itself is often seen as a bridge between the mortal world and the realm of fairies, where leprechauns are said to reside. 

Some stories suggest that the leprechaun's pot of gold is a reward for those who are able to find it, while others imply that the treasure is a symbol of something that is unattainable, much like chasing after a dream. The imagery of leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold at the end of rainbows has become strongly associated with St. Patrick's Day, a holiday that celebrates Irish culture.  Source

Happy St. Patricks Day from all of us at Martinez Coin And Jewelry Exchange!!! Hope you strike gold and if you do, bring it to us! 

What Damages Coins?

Let’s go into more detail about what can damage your coins, assuming they are not stored or cared for properly. Again, your coins can get damaged in various ways, such as humidity, temperature, mishandling, acids or chemical reactions, and air quality. 

Humidity

Moisture can lead to corrosion or rust, especially if your coins are made of vulnerable metals such as silver or a copper or bronze alloy. Avoid keeping your coin collection near a place with water or areas exposed to moisture, including places such as water pipes or windows. Even breathing directly on your coins can create spots from your saliva.

Temperature

While heat and cold aren’t necessarily an issue for your coins, the transition between the two can cause condensation (moisture), resulting in rust or corrosion. Higher temperatures can also speed up chemical reactions, accelerating damage to your coins.

Improper Handling

Mishandling coins can include touching coins with your bare fingers. Oils from our fingers can corrode metals, leading to stains and smudges. Throwing collectible coins into a single container is another way that can result in damage as coins scrape against each other, causing dings and scratches.

Acids/Chemical Reactions

Acids or chemicals can be found in all sorts of materials, including cardboard, wood, adhesives, and plastics. Such materials, over time, can leach chemicals or acids onto your coins, resulting in corrosion.

Air Quality

Air containing extreme concentrations of pollutants such as paint fumes and exhaust emissions can chemically react with oxygen, leading to possible coin damage. Pollutants can settle on a coin’s surface over time and react with the metal. Some pollutants will chemically react when exposed to moisture.

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Why Do Rings Turn Your Finger Green?

When rings turn fingers green, it's either because of a chemical reaction between acids in your skin and the metal of the ring, or because of a reaction between another substance on your hand (such as a lotion) and the metal of the ring. There are several metals that oxidize or react with your skin to produce a discoloration. You can get a noticeable green discoloration on your finger from wearing a ring made out of copper. Some rings are pure copper, while others have a plating of another metal over copper. Alternately, the copper may be part of the metal alloy (sterling silver, for example). The green color is not harmful in itself, though some people experience an itchy rash or another sensitivity reaction to the metal and may wish to avoid exposure to it.

Another common culprit for rings turning fingers green is silver, which is found in sterling silver jewelry and plating for inexpensive jewelry. It is also used as an alloying metal in most gold jewelry. Acids cause the silver to oxidize, which produces tarnish. The tarnish can leave a dark ring on your finger.

If you are sensitive to metals, you may see skin discoloration from wearing a ring containing nickel, though most likely this will be associated with inflammation.

How to Avoid Getting a Green Finger

Even silver and gold jewelry can produce skin discoloration, so advice for avoiding a green finger isn't as simple as just avoiding cheap jewelry. However, certain metals are less likely to turn green than others. You should have good luck with stainless steel jewelry, platinum jewelry, and rhodium-plated jewelry, which includes nearly all white gold.

Also, you'll greatly reduce the chance of any ring turning your finger green if you take care to keep soap, lotions, and other chemicals away from your ring. Remove your rings before bathing or swimming, especially in saltwater.

Some people apply a polymer coating to their rings to act as a barrier between their skin and the metal of the ring. Clear nail polish is one option. Be aware that you'll need to reapply the coating from time to time since it will wear away.

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Methods Teaching Money Counting Skills

Counting money is a critical functional skill for all students. For children with learning disabilities but average intelligence, money not only gives them access to things they want to purchase, but it also builds a foundation for understanding the base ten systems of numeration. This will help with them learn decimals, percents, the metric system, and other skills that are vital for science, technology, and the social sciences.

For students with intellectual disabilities and lower functionality, counting money is one of the skills they will need for self-determination and for the opportunity to live independently in the community. Like all skills, counting and using money needs to be scaffolded, building on strengths and teaching the "baby steps" that will lead to independence.

Coin Recognition

Before students can count coins, they have to be able to correctly identify the most common denominations: pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. For low-function students, this may be a long but worthwhile process. Do not use fake plastic coins for low-functioning students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They need to generalize coin use to the real world, and the plastic coins do not feel, smell, or even look like the real thing. Depending on the student's level, approaches include:

• Discrete trial training: Present only two coins at a time. Ask and reinforce correct responses, i.e. "Give me a penny," "Give me a nickel," "Give me a penny," etc.
• Use errorless teaching: Point to the correct coin if the student picks up the wrong coin or seems to waffle. Collect data and don't introduce a new coin until the child is at least 80 percent accuracy.
• Coin sorting: After the child has succeeded with discrete trial training, or if the child quickly seems to be distinguishing the coins, you can give them practice by sorting coins. Place a cup for each denomination, and place the mixed coins on the table in front of the child. If the child recognizes numbers, put the coin value on the outside of the cup, or place one of the coins in the cup.
• Matching coins: A variation of sorting coins is to match them to the values on a cardstock mat. You could add a picture if it helps.

Counting Coins

The goal is to help your students learn to count coins. Counting money requires understanding the base ten math system and strong skip counting skills. Activities with a hundred chart will help build these skills. The hundred chart can also be used to help teach counting money as well.

Money should begin with a single denomination, ideally pennies. Counting pennies could easily accompany learning to count, as well as introducing the cents sign. Then, move on to nickels and dimes, followed by quarters.

• Number lines and hundred chart: Make paper number lines to one hundred or hundred charts. When counting nickels, have the students highlight the fives and write the fives (if they are not on the number line). Give students nickels and have them place the nickels on the fives and recite out loud. Placing the coins and reciting out loud make this a multi-sensory unit. Do the same with counting dimes.
• Giant number line: This activity ramps up the multisensory element of money and skip counting. Paint a giant number line (or get parent volunteers) on a paved portion of the playground or school courtyard, with the numbers one foot apart. Have individual children walk the number line and count the nickels, or get giant nickels from a bulletin board set and have different students stand at different points to count off by fives.
• Coin templates: Create counting templates by cutting out facsimile coins and pasting them on five-inch by eight-inch file cards (or any size you find most manageable). Write the value on the card (front for low-functioning children, on the back as a self-correcting activity). Give students nickels, dimes, or quarters and have them count them out. This is an especially useful technique for teaching quarters. You need only make one card with four quarters and the numbers 25, 50, 75, and 100. They can count multiple quarters in rows.

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What Is Tibetan Silver?

Tibetan Silver is the name given to the metal used in some jewelry available online, such as on eBay or via Amazon. These items typically ship from China. Have you ever wondered how much silver is in Tibetan Silver or about the chemical composition of Tibetan Silver? Would you be surprised to learn that this metal can be dangerous?

Tibetan Silver is a silver-colored alloy consisting of copper with tin or nickel. Some items described as Tibetan Silver are cast iron that has been plated with the silver-colored metal. Most Tibetan Silver is copper with tin rather than copper with nickel because nickel causes skin reactions in many people.

Health Hazards

Ironically, the metal often contains other elements that are much more toxic than nickel. It is inadvisable for pregnant women or children to wear items made with Tibetan Silver because some of the items contain high levels of dangerous metals, including lead and arsenic.

eBay issued a buyer warning so that bidders would be aware of the metallurgical testing conducted on Tibetan Silver items and the possible toxicity of these items. In six of seven items that were analyzed using x-ray fluorescence, the primary metals in the Tibetan Silver were actually nickel, copper, and zinc. One item contained 1.3% arsenic and extremely high lead content of 54%. A separate sampling of items revealed comparable compositions, with trace amounts of chromium, aluminum, tin, gold, and lead, although in that study, all of the samples contained acceptable levels of lead.

Note that not all items contain toxic levels of heavy metals. The warning for pregnant women and children is intended to prevent accidental poisonings.

Other Names Tibetan Silver May Go By;

Sometimes comparable metallurgical compositions have been called Nepalese silver, white metal, pewter, lead-free pewter, base metal, or simply tin alloy.

In the past, there was an alloy called Tibetan Silver that actually did contain the element silver. Some vintage Tibetan silver is sterling silver, which is 92.5% silver. The remaining percent could be any combination of other metals, although usually, it is copper or tin.

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Why the Copper Penny Is Worth More Than One Cent

The prices of most commodities have risen substantially since the turn of the century, and some of the coins you have in your pocket or piggy bank are worth more today than in the past.

How much is a copper penny worth? 

Pennies used to be made from 95% copper, at least until 1982. United States Mint. "Copper Half-Cent and One-Cent Coin Legislation."Since 2000, the price of copper has risen dramatically, making the meltdown value of these pennies more than the face value of the coin. Commodity prices continue to rise and fall with market changes, which affect the current metal value of the penny. It's illegal to melt down 5-cent and one-cent U.S. coins. Investors hoping to gain from the future worth of the copper in their old pennies are counting on the penny eventually being discontinued as legal tender and the government allowing the copper coins to be sold for the value of their metal.

The Copper and Zinc in a Penny

A pre-1982 penny consists of 95% copper and 5% zinc. It contains about 2.95 grams of copper, and there are 453.59 grams in a pound.5 The price of copper on Dec. 10, 2019, was $2.75 a pound. Macrotrends. "Copper Prices - 45 Year Historical Chart." That meant the copper in each penny was worth about 1.7 cents. Thus, the meltdown value of a pre-1982 penny was about 70% more than the face value.

Beginning in 1982, pennies began to be manufactured out of zinc, amounting to 97.5% of the mass of the coin, with a thin copper coating that amounted to 2.5% of the penny's mass. Some pennies dated 1982 are of the almost-all-copper type, and some are the mostly zinc kind. You can tell them apart by weighing them if you have a sensitive scale: The majority-copper ones weigh 3.11 grams, and the majority-zinc ones weigh 2.5 grams.

The price of zinc has also increased since 2000, though it's down from a peak of $2.06 a pound in November 2006. As of Dec. 10, 2019, zinc was valued at $1.02 a pound. The 2.43 grams of zinc in a post-1982 penny was then worth six-tenths of a cent.

Buying Pennies

You can go to a bank or anywhere else that has large quantities of pennies and buy them at face value, but it can be time-consuming to sort through and isolate the mostly copper ones. Some companies sell bulk pennies that have already been sorted, but they will charge you a premium.

A Warning About Legality

Because of the increasing value of copper and other metals, in 2006, the U.S. government imposed a penalty for melting pennies or nickels: a fine of up to a $10,000 or up to five years in prison or both.3 For that reason, if you're thinking of buying up lots of copper pennies, you would have to consider it to be a long-term investment.

The U.S. Mint has entertained the thought of stopping penny production because of the high price of minting the coin but has yet to officially do so. Many other countries have already done away with their version of the penny. If and when the U.S. penny is abandoned, it is likely to become legal to melt the coins down for their copper content.

Collecting and Storing Pennies

Investors and collectors have already begun hoarding pennies. It will likely become more difficult to find pre-1982 pennies in the years to come, especially if the price of copper continues to move higher. One thousand dollars worth of pennies consists of 100,000 coins, and $10,000 is equal to 1 million pennies. If you decided to get your hands on such a large number of pennies, you might run into a storage issue.

On a smaller scale, there's nothing's wrong with sorting through spare change every week and putting the copper pennies in a container to save for the day when they could be worth a good deal more.

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