posted on August 22, 2005 08:13:22 AM
At first I thought this was just another cheap piece of vintage jewelry, but upon closer examination I think it may be a better piece. The chain is high a high quality box chain with a lobster clasp and a magnetic does not adhere anywhere on this necklace, not even to the rings and other hardware holding the necklace together. The beads I thought at first were glass, but it looks as though there are gold flecks throughout the beads. My question is, could these be Lapis and doesn't Lapis sometimes have Pyrite flecks? Without a gold tester I have to assume it's plated.
posted on August 22, 2005 03:25:51 PM
I bought a ring at a garage sale that had lower quality lapiz in it. It had flakes of Iron pyrite in it. The higher quality lapiz doesn't have flakes. It is a deep deep blue. mine doesn't have two shades of blue
posted on August 22, 2005 03:31:34 PM
I have one lapis scarab from Egypt which has gold flecks,the Egyptian shopowner was proud to point out -the gold flecks make it stand out.
I also saw synthetic ones in Cairo.
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posted on August 22, 2005 03:43:46 PM
In hong kong the chinese make imitation jewellery from brass and copper, then plate it with gold or silver. so a magnet will not stick to it. i cannot imagine anyone using gold for low quality lapis beads like that.
posted on August 22, 2005 04:11:51 PM
Actually, the Lapis is much darker than photographed. I did take it to my brother would could only tell me that it is Lapis and probably plated Gold. Unfortunately, his tester was borrowed and not yet returned. Thanks all.
posted on August 22, 2005 05:55:32 PM
I am certain that glass beads can be made to imitate lapis and include any sort of inclusions desired including gold iron pyrite. So think further testing will be needed. By the way, I have a ring mounted in silver with tiny silver iron pyrite flecks ( tiny dots really) which sparkle when the ring is rotated. Think it mskes the stone more attractive.
buyhigh
posted on August 22, 2005 06:09:49 PM
The imitation lapis i saw in Egypt looks better than the real thing.
They can also mix resin with lapis powder .
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