How to determine if jewelry is black onyx or glass?

How to determine if jewelry is black onyx or glass. I'm posting this question again only this time I'm doing it right. Thanks to the folks who tried to answer it before.

Here's what I really want to know: I recently bought a piece of antique jewelry the seller thought was black glass. I think it might be black onyx. I'm looking for some way to tell which it is.

Asked by Sardis 62 months ago Similar Questions: determine jewelry black onyx glass Recent Questions About: determine jewelry black onyx glass Lifestyle > Jewelry.

Similar Questions: determine jewelry black onyx glass Recent Questions About: determine jewelry black onyx glass.

Test The Hardness, Test the Density You might of done this before, but the "Hardness Test" is one thing that you might want to do to check if the Mineral is Onyx or Glass. Onyx has a hardness of 7. Window Glass has a hardness of 6.

The one with the greater hardness physical property will be able to create scratch marks on the ones with the lower hardness. In the hardness test, if you CAN scratch the a good piece of window glass with the 'jewelry' than the 'jewelry' is harder than window glass. Then test if you can scratch the 'jewelry' with window glass.

If it CAN'T make a well-defined scracth, the the 'jewelry' is not glass. Now you know it's not glass, but you still don't know specifically what it is. THEN Do this if the top works.

Now it's the Density test. The density of Onyx is around 2.6-2.8 g/ml depending on purity of the Onyx. You need a graduated cylinder with graduation marks in milliliters.

First fill the cylinder with some water so the bottom part of 'the top edge of the water' (which is called the meniscus sp) is at a easy to remember number like 10ml or 20ml. Then put the jewlery in it. Calculate the change in volume.

Now you need to mass the jewlery. You need a scale that measures in grams. Measure the mass in grams.

Afterwards, use th following formula. Density = mass / volume. Substitute the mass and volume with the values you have.

Then divide to get the density in g/ml units. If the number is in the range of 2.6 to 2.8, you have yourself Onyx. Hopes this works.

If not, ask me at [email protected]. Sources: It's My Opinion .

That's a tough one They are so similar in appearance, weight, etc. The only advice I can give you is that if it is onyx, it is probably a cabochon, I've never seen faceted onyx. If it is glass, it could be either, but more likely to be faceted. I don't know what your item is, but whether it's onyx or glass will probably not make much of of difference in it's value.

Take it to a jeweler! I'm no expert, but a jeweler would definitely know. I believe they would do this for you for free.

I don't know how a layperson could tell, cuz I think you need one of those little eye detector thingys.

1 I voted "great" on playhackers answer, but I just wanted to point out that the density test wil only work if your piece is loose. If, for example, it is a brooch mounted in a metal frame, that will skew the results.

I voted "great" on playhackers answer, but I just wanted to point out that the density test wil only work if your piece is loose. If, for example, it is a brooch mounted in a metal frame, that will skew the results.

" "Can an onyx stone be custom cut by a jewelry shop.

Mainly necklaces with stones like topaz, onyx, amethyst, antique silver.

Can an onyx stone be custom cut by a jewelry shop.

How to determine if jewelry is black onyx or jet I recently bought a piece of antique jewelry the seller thought was black glass. I think it might be jet. I'm looking for some way to tell which it is.

Asked by Sardis 62 months ago Similar Questions: determine jewelry black onyx jet Recent Questions About: determine jewelry black onyx jet Lifestyle > Jewelry.

Similar Questions: determine jewelry black onyx jet Recent Questions About: determine jewelry black onyx jet.

You can tell the difference between them by the weight - glass is heavier than Jet and cold to the touch True onyx is black with white (or tan) bands. Pure black onyx has been dyed. When mined, black onyx is actually a deep gray colored chalcedony (a type of quartz).

The stone is then heat treated to achieve the desired jet color. Jet is the crystalline form of coal. It's black, relatively soft 2.4-4, and takes a high polish.

But it's not as cool to the touch as black onyx. Sources: glamourbeadz.com/jewelryfacts.asp .

I worked in a jewelry store More than likely y ou would have to take it to a jewelry store and find out. But onyx is definitately a stone and jet jewelry is not made from real stones. But they could tell you for sure.

Sources: Work .

Weight I used to have a little antique shop, and sold a lot of jewelry. Onyx is a stone. True jet, often called Whitby jet, is actually a type of coal.

It is fossilized wood from the Jurassic period. A piece of onyx will feel heavy for it size, jet feels extremely light, much like amber. Onyx will feel cold to the touch, jet will feel warm.

Rub a piece of jet on wool or silk, and enough static electricity will be generated to pick up small bits of paper or attract your hair. If you look at jet under a microscope, you can often see the growth rings that give away it's origin as a tree. Once you have handled a few pieces, it becomes very easy to tell what it is you're dealing with.

Hope this helped ;o) Sources: experience tantalumgirl's Recommendations THE STORY OF WHITBY JET: ITS WORKERS FROM EARLIEST TIMES.

Simplest way I have found is that Jet floats, Onyx sinks.

1 tantalumgirl, regarding your answer "weight": Thank you so much for your very helpful answer. Unfortunately, I asked my question wrong. If you have any comments on the new, improved question I'd appreciate them.

Tantalumgirl, regarding your answer "weight": Thank you so much for your very helpful answer. Unfortunately, I asked my question wrong. If you have any comments on the new, improved question I'd appreciate them.

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