How to Spot Fake Watermelon Tourmaline: 5 Signs You Should Look For

If you're in the market for genuine watermelon tourmaline jewelry, beware.

There are many fake stones on the market these days, and it can be tough to tell them apart from the real thing.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to spot fake watermelon tourmaline. Here, we will talk about five tell-tale signs that will help you determine whether or not a stone is fake.

What Does a Watermelon Tourmaline Look Like?

Before we discuss the five signs of fake watermelon tourmaline, let's take a quick look at what this gemstone looks like.

Watermelon tourmaline is typically a pink or green stone that has swirls of white in it. The name comes from the fact that these stones often have a red and green coloration, similar to a slice of watermelon.

By knowing how it looks, you can better inspect stones for the following five signs.

Sign #1: Sharp line separating the colors

The watermelon tourmaline gem can be distinguished by its mix of pink and green colors. The most popular has a pink core with an outer green layer. If you see a sharp, distinct line between the pink and green sections of the stone, it's likely fake. Genuine watermelon tourmaline often has a softer, more gradual transition between colors.

Sign #2: Scratches easily

Test the stone's hardness. Take a sharp object and try to scratch the surface of the stone. If it scratches easily, then it's likely fake. Genuine watermelon tourmaline is hard, ranking 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This makes it difficult to scratch the surface of the stone with a sharp object.

Sign #3: Perfect clarity

When examining a watermelon tourmaline, take a close look at the stone. If it has perfect clarity, then it's likely fake. Genuine watermelon tourmaline often has inclusions, or tiny imperfections, which can be seen with the naked eye.

Sign #4: Lack of thin grooved lines

Another way to tell if a watermelon tourmaline is fake is by looking at the grooved lines on the surface of the stone. These lines, also called striations, are thin and run parallel to each other. If you don't see any striations on the surface of the stone, then it's likely fake.

Sign #5: Relatively cheaper price

While watermelon tourmaline is not an expensive stone, you should also watch out for the price. The cost of watermelon tourmaline jewelry usually starts from $20. If you come across a stone that's being sold at a relatively cheaper price, it's likely fake.

Watermelon Tourmaline: Real or Fake?

If you're unsure about a watermelon gem tourmaline,  there are a few tests you can do to help determine its authenticity. Look for the signs we discussed above, and if everything looks good, then it's likely genuine.

But remember, there are always fake watermelon tourmaline stones on the market. So, be sure to do your research before making a purchase.