Seven Major Points for Identifying Agate
Agate can also be known as aragonite. With color of red, white and black or some special kind with patterns of wrapped wire, it is neither jade nor stone, and the red agate among these kinds is of the high-ranking groups.
The word 'agate' which was known as one of the seven ancient treasures originated in Buddhist scriptures, with a history of being known as 'Joan Jade' and 'red jade', it is recognized as human exotic and can bring a sense of pleasure and convenience for the wearer. Agate is used, collected and worn widely for its beautiful patterns, which is said to be beneficial for the skin of the wearer, thus since the ancient time it is the treasure of the world.
As agate is enjoying increasingly popularity in the society, its demand is still increasing, thus phenomenon of cohabitation will be inevitable. In order to purchase satisfying agate, it seems that knowledge of identifying agate show be mastered. Well how to distinguish the true gate jewelry from the imitation one? Here are some points that can be focused:
Firstly, learn something about the color. When compared, the real agate is of bright and distinctive color while the color of the imitation one is of less degree. Natural agate is with clear color, obvious bands. When carefully observed, dense arranged tiny red spots are visible in the red strips. The bottom of the imitated agate which is made with materials of stone is of petal-shaped pattern, which can also known as 'daisy - bottom'; while the dyed blue agate is of uniform bright color, which would give us a sense of not that natural.
Secondly, consider the texture. When compared with natural agate, the imitation one is of softer texture in that it is made of stone materials; what's more, when scratched with jade on the surface, they are scratches, while the natural one remains its original appearance. On the surface, the imitation one is of more flaws than the natural one.
Thirdly, consider the quality of workmanship. The agate production technology of high quality is strict and advanced, thus the surface is of high brightness, solid inlaying, no scratches and cracks.
Fourthly, take the degree into consideration. Water drop agate is the most precious specious, its characteristics is that it is of close cavity which contains water from thousands years ago.
Fifthly, look at the degree of transparency. The degree of transparency of natural agate is not as good as the imitation ones. The natural ones are slightly chaotic, some can be seen natural waterline or 'clouds' on the surface, while the synthetic agate is of good transparency which is as transparent as glass ball.
Sixthly, consider the weight. The natural agate is heavier than synthetic agate.
Seventhly, natural agate is cool in summer while warm in winter, while the temperature of the synthetic one would change with temperatures outside, when in hot days, it gets hot, and in cold days it gets cold.
In addition, you might have the doubts on how to choose agate jewelry of finest degree? Some advices are like this: first, choosing colors according to one's preference. The red agate jewelry is the most precious ones among the agate category, when choosing as necklace, the degree of the color of every beads should be focused, without any other colors is the best choose and the size of the beads should be within a certain range. Then, lifting the necklace to see if every beads is on the same vertical direction, if the necklace bent, it is thought that the necklace is of rough processing in that holes of the beads are not on the right place.