Sign In

Sign Up
English speaking customer support only
1-800-464-1640
Change Language
- English
- Français
- Español
- Italiano
- Deutsch
- Pусский
- 中文
- 日本語
- العربية
- Português
- 한국인
USD
Change Currency
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- AED = United Arab Emirates Dirham
- AUD = Australian Dollar
- BHD = Bahraini Dinar
- BND = Brunei Dollar
- CAD = Canadian Dollar
- CHF = Swiss Franc
- CNY = Chinese Yuan
- CZK = Czech Koruna
- DKK = Danish Krone
- EGP = Egyptian Pound
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- HKD = Hong Kong Dollar
- IDR = Indonesian Rupiah
- ILS = Israeli New Shekel
- INR = Indian Rupee
- IQD = Iraqi Dinar
- JOD = Jordanian Dinar
- JPY = Japanese Yen
- KRW = South Korean Won
- KWD = Kuwaiti Dinar
- MXN = Mexican Peso
- MYR = Malaysian Ringgit
- NOK = Norwegian Krone
- NZD = New Zealand Dollar
- OMR = Omani Rial
- PHP = Philippine Piso
- PLN = Polish Złoty
- QAR = Qatari Riyal
- RUB = Russian Ruble
- SAR = Saudi Riyal
- SEK = Swedish Krona
- SGD = Singapore Dollar
- TWD = New Taiwan Dollar
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- VND = Vietnamese Dồng
- ZAR = South African Rand

Gemstones
Gemstones By Color
Gemstones By Color
Popular Gemstones
Popular Gemstones
- Sapphire
- Topaz
- Amethyst
- Emerald
- Citrine
- Ruby
- Tourmaline
- Garnet
- Tanzanite
- Aquamarine
- Opal
- Zircon
New Arrivals
Gems By Price
Pairs
Lots
Calibrated
Birthstones
Birthstones

By Gavin Clarke Reviewed By Andreas Zabczyk Sep 26, 2009 Updated Jan 22, 2019

Detecting Synthetic Quartz

Synthetic quartz produced by the hydrothermal method has become a common sight in the market, and we want to be sure that all the amethyst, citrine, ametrine and other types of quartz we sell is completely natural. Our customers trust us to accurately describe the gems we sell, and we take that trust very seriously.

FTIR Spectrometer

As buyers, we have seen a lot of synthetic quartz offered for sale and we are reasonably good at recognizing the most obvious cases. Synthetic amethyst or citrine is often seen in extraordinarily large sizes with perfect clarity, offered at prices that are simply too good to be true. Natural amethyst or citrine will typically exhibit color zoning that will not be seen in the synthetic material. Synthetic ametrine is often found in colors that are not seen in nature; either the color is extraordinarily vivid, or there are hues such as blue and green, which do not occur naturally.

However, not all synthetic quartz is so obvious. Some of it looks just like natural quartz, which is not surprising, since it is real quartz (just not naturally occurring). Distinguishing natural from synthetic quartz is quite a challenge, even for gemology labs, especially with very clean specimens. Many gem labs will simply issue an "undetermined" verdict when analyzing a quartz sample, since they lack the expertise to reliably identify synthetic material.

Synthetic Green Quartz

The best labs use a combination of traditional analysis and advanced instruments to reach a definitive conclusion about a quartz sample. The traditional analysis looks for distinctive "breadcrumb" inclusions left by the seed crystal that is used to grow synthetic quartz; color zoning usually only found in natural quartz and the presence of so-called "Brazil twinning", which is typical of natural quartz crystals.

Infrared spectroscopy is used to graph the wavelengths of infrared light that the quartz absorbs. Synthetic and natural quartz usually exhibit distinctive patterns of absorption.

Though there is no single definitive test for quartz, performing a number of tests is almost always conclusive. The analysis is time consuming and somewhat expensive. However, we consider it worthwhile and have samples tested for all of the different types of quartz we sell. It is the only way we can be sure that we are selling only natural quartz.

About Us

Gemstone Information Sign up for our Newsletter

Overall Rating -> 9

Everything was good but since I am still new I was surprised at how small the stones where.

Posted By Js in May, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 9

is a great site

Posted By Fng in September, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Great experiences I’ve shopped with you several times and always recommend this site for anyone in search of stones

Posted By Kay in September, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Lightning fast shipping, high quality, the stones I bought were described and pictured in minute detail. I got exactly what I ordered and are very well pleased.

Posted By None in November, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 9

Would love to be able to purchase mixed gem lots.

Posted By Meep in September, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I was very happy with the simplicity and prices of gemselect.com. the sites filters and navigation style made it simple to find exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely be buying from gemselect ago. Compared to other online stone sellers, the prices and availability of gemselect was amazing.

Posted By Jl1996 in November, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 9

I really appreciate how accurate and easy to use this site is.

Posted By Doug in January, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Quartz Info

Quartz Info - Enviable durability in an array of enticing colors ...

Gemstone Type List

Gemstone Type List: A Complete List of Colored Gemstones ...

Bloodstone Gems

Bloodstone Gemstones - A green stone that is legendary ...