I found a stone: Translucent, beige and big (approximately 2" by 1 1/2"). The 1st person that looked at it told me it was quartz and the next told me it was harder than quartz and suggested it might be topaz. After having a few tests done at a gemologists it was determined to have an RI of 1.6+ and that it was flourescent. Just the other day another person suggested it might be "champange topaz". I found it west of Yuma, AZ, east of the Imperial Dunes in SW California, and just north of the Mexican border. Any ideas of what it is or where I might have an analysis done?
I would have thought the gemologist would have told you what it is. But I recently took a stone which I thought to be real Alexandrite, it turned out to be created Alex but that's ok too, it's in a beautiful antique setting from Europe and had a makers mark that dated it to the late 1800's. I'm still glad I took it in. He charged me to do it, but would have charged a lot more to appraise it. Maybe you could post a pic or something and someone might know by looking at it. Or at least give you some hints. Isn't it fabulous to go on this mystery trip to identify something...Shelley
Hi - I just joined Rock Hounds, and noticed your post. Have you determined yet what it is? Topaz isn't flourescent, and neither is quartz. I'm guessing you literally FOUND this stone, like out in the desert? What color does it fluoresce to? Most of the fluorescent minerals are ON other specimens, they don't create the whole stone, and aren't usually translucent, as you described. If it is finished and faceted, my guess is you have found a topically treated topaz, but without pics, ... You can usually feel or see the topical treatment with the right equipment, which your gemologist should have. Did you post pictures? I've done a bit of research on your behalf, but can't find anything natural that fits that description. Please leave us an update! Thanks!
Hi, I just purchased a book that is put out by the Smithsonian, it's called "Rock and Gem - The definitive guide to rocks, minerals, gems and fossils". It is a great book. It's a little over 350 pages and has a lot of useful information in it (i.e. hardness (mohs scale) levels for each type of rock, composition, all kinds of good stuff). Has a whole lot of pictures in it and the index is impeccable with the catagories such as which rocks and gems are flourescent. So far it is probably the most informative book I've seen on the subject. I use it as a reference everytime I go to make a purchase. I live in Kentucky and there aren't too many rocks that are native to this area, so I have to purchase most of my slabs.
I did purchase this book from a bookstore, however, you may be able to find it on ebay. The cost of the book was $19.95.
I went through a similar situation. After having my mystery stone looked at by several jewelers...all with a different opinion as to what it was. One told me it was glass, another thought it might be color change sapphire...I figured it out on my own. I am about 98% sure it is color change fluorite. Forgive me if this is a ridiculous suggestion, but could it be citrine? (which I think might just be another type of quartz) Good luck!!
I went through a similar situation. After having my mystery stone looked at by several jewelers...all with a different opinion as to what it was. One told me it was glass, another thought it might be color change sapphire...I figured it out on my own. I am about 98% sure it is color change fluorite. Forgive me if this is a ridiculous suggestion, but could it be citrine? (which I think might just be another type of quartz) Good luck!!
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