[Rockhounds] Chinese Crystals on E-Bay

[Al Balmer]

On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:25:29 -0400, "Lawrence Rush"
<larryrush at worldnet.att.net> wrote:

>If the crystal looks absolutely clear, with no imperfections, and is 
>perfectly terminated, it may be one of the "manufactured" ones. Some are 
>colored red, and are very even in color appearance. Some are perfectly 
>doubly terminated. I have heard that they are made by melting and casting 
>silica, but I have no first-hand experience. Unfortunately, these days, much 
>from China must be viewed with skepticism.
>
>Also, watch out for "Zircon" from China in large, well formed transparent 
>crystals. These are also reputed to be manufactured. Rock Currier may have 
>more first-hand experience than do I (?).

I saw "synthetic zircon" for sale by an oriental couple at Quartzsite
last year. It was actually CZ, though the seller argued about it,
finally saying "It doesn't matter, because they're both corundum."
True story! The price was 0.10/carat, high but not outrageous.
>
>Larry Rush
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Charles Baran" <kcbaran at arczip.com>
>To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
><rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:38 PM
>Subject: [Rockhounds] Chinese Crystals on E-Bay
>
>
>> Friends:  If you get on E-bay,  input  quartz crystals  in the search 
>> feature you will come up with a whole BUNCH of hits.  Many of them are 
>> big, very nice and very cheap. You can tell the Chinese crystals because 
>> most are being held in a person's hand with an outdoors background.   Has 
>> anyone ever bought these or have any ideas or feed back as far as quality, 
>> buying safety, etc? Thanks?
>> Chuck Baran

-- 
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ