Kennon Young
Master Gemologist Appraiser
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Co-authored Articles (45)
How to
Test Gold at Home
Test an item of gold for authenticity using everyday tools Gold is a precious metal that comes in a variety of colors and different levels of fineness. The value of a piece of jewelry or another object will depend greatl...
How to Identify Gold Ore Rocks: Tests, Characteristics, & Types
Determine if you’ve struck gold If you’re out prospecting, you want to be sure what you’re taking home is the real stuff—gold ore. The best way to tell if gold is real is to hire a professional assayer, but that�...
How to Spot Fake Gold Quickly & Easily
Plus, learn how to buy gold without getting scammed The value of gold constantly changes, which results in the precious metal being more susceptible to counterfeiting. It’s important to know how to spot fake gold to en...
How to Tell If an Item Is Fake or Real Sterling Silver
These markings and tests will tell you if something is sterling silver or not How do you figure out if something is silver, sterling silver, or something else entirely? Sterling silver is exceptionally valuable, so it’...
What to Use to Clean Jewelry at Home
Is your favorite piece of jewelry looking a bit dull and smudgy? If so, hold off on taking it for a professional cleaning—because we’ll show you what to use to clean jewelry at home. Plain old soap and water is great...
How to
Tell if an Emerald Is Real
Many "emeralds" are actually other green gems, green glass, or imitations built from several materials. Conduct several tests before you reach a conclusion one way or the other, since results are not always definitive wi...
How to
Determine if a Sapphire is Real
Sapphires are typically thought of as blue but can also be red, yellow, orange, green or other colors in between. Natural sapphires are found in the ground or in the water. Synthetic sapphires are created in a lab. Look ...
How to
Polish Stones
Rock collecting can be an enjoyable hobby for both adults and children. It's inexpensive to do and a great way to get out and enjoy nature. If you have young children, it's also a nice way to teach them about science. If...
How to
Identify Raw Diamonds
Diamonds which have not yet been cut are referred to as 'rough' or 'raw' diamonds. To identify whether the stone you have is a diamond, you can do a quick visual evaluation to rule out other gemstones. From there, you’...
How to
Clean Fake Jewelry
Costume jewelry can be really pretty even if it is not made of precious gems. But keeping it beautiful can be a task. Costume jewelry can’t take wear-and-tear the way fine jewelry can. It tarnishes from water, air expo...
How to Polish Gold the Right Way
Keep your gold rings and jewelry looking brand new Gold is a beautiful but soft precious metal that requires gentle polishing to keep it looking shiny and new. If the gold is in fairly good condition, it’s easy to clea...
How to
Identify Gemstones
You can quickly identify most gemstones by observing a few basic characteristics, like color and heft. If you want a more thorough, accurate identification, though, you will need to use special tools to examine the inter...
How to
Clean Pandora Jewelry at Home
If your Pandora jewelry is looking a little dull or dingy, you don’t have to rush out and make an appointment at the jewelry store. Cleaning your Pandora jewelry at home doesn’t take long, and you can even do it with...
How to
Cut Off a Ring
A ring that is too tight can cut off circulation to your finger, causing the finger to swell and making the ring difficult or impossible to remove. This can be scary, painful, and potentially very damaging to your finger...
How to Spot the Difference between Real and Fake Turquoise
All the signs that turquoise stones, crystals, and jewelry are real There’s no question that turquoise is one of the most popular gems with its gorgeous blue hue, ancient history, and spiritual ties. If you’re lookin...
How to Clean Your Gold Jewelry Safely & Effectively
Keep your gold jewelry bright and shiny with these expert tipsIf you notice your gold jewelry pieces are starting to look dull or dingy, it may be time to give them a thorough cleaning. A mixture of dish soap and warm wa...
How to Polish Rocks Using Sandpaper or a Dremel Tool
Shape and polish stones without a pricey rock tumbler Polishing rocks is a great way to make them shiny and pretty, and you don’t need a tumbler or fancy equipment to do it. Polishing rocks by hand is pretty straightfo...
How to
Test Platinum
Platinum is a precious metal that looks like silver or white gold to the untrained eye. But platinum has many characteristics that make it unique. It is harder than other precious metals, so it resists scratches. It also...
How to
Keep a Ring from Turning Your Finger Green
Costume jewelry is a fun way to change your look, but green stains on your fingers are no fun at all! Sometimes the metals in inexpensive jewelry can oxidize and leave stains on your skin. By preventing the green stains,...
How to
Clean Your Silver Jewelry
Silver is a versatile metal with a soft luster that makes for beautiful jewelry. Unfortunately, silver is also pretty fragile compared to many more commonly-used metals, and it can quickly develop tarnish, stains, or scr...
