found today!! amethyst or sapphire? or costume?

[GatorBoy]

found this on a dig today. hunting native american artifacts. it was pretty far down there. are there any simple ways of checking before I go to a jeweler?

 

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[BeachComber7]

Wow!! That's a great find!!!

 

[allen_idaho]

Hard to say. Looks like you found part of a geode. So it may be real. I'd say go get it checked out.

 

[GatorBoy]

thanks guys.. and girl.lol. I didn't mention it but inside that crust is some remaining metal. I'm leaning towards silver because it's black. unfortunately most of what is left is now permanently a part of the crust.

 

[Bajahunter]

Right shape and color for amethyst hardness is a 7. Sapphire is a hardness 9.
Could be silver in the host rock as well. They are often found together.

 

[GatorBoy]

thank you for that sir. there is a spanish history to the site. has me leaning towards mexican amethyst. I believe your correct.

 

[GatorBoy]

it's not really a host rock. it is sand encrusted. the stone is cut and mounted. that is all that remains of the original jewelry item.

 

[Bajahunter]

It is hard to see in a picture what you can see when you hold it in your hand
Maybe some part of a broach or bracelet. Old silver jewelry from New Spain possibly.
It looks like that is the natural terminated end of a amethyst crystal. I doesn't look faceted by man to me.
Rob

 

[GatorBoy]

gotcha.. the pictures aren't doing a lot of good. in person you can see a lot more cuts. it makes it in a circle. I will see what I can do about adding another.

 

[Bajahunter]

I can see the side facets in that pic. Still very simple faceting.
Is that the setting at the bottom of the stone on the right side.

 

[GatorBoy]

yes it is.. I wasn't sure if the photo would show that.