Jerry Ehrenwald

Jerry Ehrenwald, GG, ASA, is a graduate gemologist in New York City. He is the previous President of the International Gemological Institute and the inventor of U.S.-patented Laserscribeâ„ , a means of laser inscribing onto a diamond a unique indicia, such as a DIN (Diamond Identification Number). He is a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and is a member of the Twenty-Four Karat Club of the City of New York, a social club limited to 200 of the most accomplished individuals in the jewelry business.

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How can you tell if jade is real?
First, inspect the piece by holding it up to the light. Any irregularities such as fibrous veins can indicate the legitimacy of jade. Any air bubbles found in the interior will most likely indicate that it is not natural.

Another way you can judge jade’s authenticity is by performing the scratch test. A genuine jade stone is very hard and doesn’t get scratched by metal or steel objects. Take a metal object such as scissors and gently scratch the surface of the jade. If the scissors left a mark that cannot be wiped off, then you know your jade is not authentic.

Temperature is another factor when determining if your jade is real. Hold the stone in your hand and see how it feels. Jade stones are naturally ice-cold and take a while to warm up. If it heats up pretty quickly and doesn’t feel very cool when holding it, then your jade is most likely a counterfeit. If there are still questions about the stone’s authenticity, take it to an accredited gemologist for further evaluation.
How can you test gold at home?
To test gold at home, see if the gold item sticks to a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it may be fake or not 100% gold. Suspicious marks and discolorations around the edges of the item in question can also be telltale signs the gold is fake.

With a magnifying glass, look for a purity hallmark from the manufacturer on the jewelry item. For example, if you own the purest gold, you should see hallmark “999” or “24K” engravings somewhere on the jewelry item. With older jewelry as an exception, typically, if you do not find a mark, it may not be genuine gold.

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