The Problem of Fake and Misrepresented Gemstones
The gemstone market has a counterfeiting problem. Dyed howlite sold as turquoise. Glass sold as moldavite. Synthetic stones sold as natural. Low-grade material sold as premium. These are not rare edge cases — they are widespread practices that erode consumer trust and devalue genuine stones. At Brie & Marie, we take authenticity seriously, and we want to show you exactly how we verify what we sell.
Visual Inspection & Gemological Assessment
Every stone we carry undergoes initial visual inspection by trained eyes. We look for natural inclusions, growth patterns, color zoning, and surface characteristics that are consistent with genuine mineral formation. Stones that appear too perfect, too uniform, or inconsistent with known geological properties are flagged for further review or rejected outright.
Refractive Index & Specific Gravity Testing
For higher-value gemstones, we use or commission refractive index (RI) testing and specific gravity (SG) measurements. These physical properties are unique to each mineral species and cannot be faked without detection. A genuine amethyst, for example, has a refractive index of approximately 1.544–1.553 — a value that glass or synthetic imitations will not match.
UV Fluorescence Testing
Many gemstones exhibit characteristic fluorescence under ultraviolet light. We use UV testing as a supplementary verification tool, particularly for stones like diamonds, rubies, and certain feldspars, where fluorescence patterns can help confirm authenticity or flag treatments.
Supplier Certification & Documentation
Where available, we request and retain supplier-issued certificates of authenticity, country-of-origin declarations, and third-party gemological lab reports (such as those from GIA, IGI, or equivalent bodies). For our most premium offerings, we prioritize stones that come with verifiable documentation.
Our Commitment to You
We will never knowingly sell a misrepresented stone. If we cannot verify a stone's authenticity to our standard, we do not carry it. If you ever have a question about a specific product's verification status, reach out — we're happy to share what documentation we have. Your trust is not something we take lightly.