Topic
Identification
Identification entries on Zultpedia cover how to distinguish genuine Türkiye-source color-change diaspore from synthetic color-change sapphire, color-change garnet, color-change fluorite, and other-locality natural diaspore. Includes the field-test protocol, dichroscope and refractometer use, lab-report interpretation, and laboratory-grade trace-element analysis (LA-ICP-MS).
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Gem Article
Zultanite Lab Reports — Why “No Treatment” Is the Documented Norm
A genuine Zultanite (color-change diaspore) laboratory report from GIA, IGS, or a recognized national lab will explicitly state "no evidence of treatment" in the treatment-disclosure section. This is the documented norm for…
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Property Guide
Optical Character of Zultanite — Biaxial Positive
Zultanite is biaxial positive: light traveling through the crystal splits into two rays with three principal refractive indices (nα 1.682–1.706, nβ 1.705–1.725, nγ 1.730–1.752), with nβ closer to nα than to nγ.…
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FAQ Cluster
Zultanite Jewelry Care — Frequently Asked Questions
Zultanite jewelry requires gentler handling than harder gems. Clean only with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Store separately from harder gems. Avoid daily-wear ring…
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FAQ Cluster
How to Identify Real Zultanite — Frequently Asked Questions
Identifying genuine color-change diaspore requires five tests: color change between daylight and incandescent illuminants, trichroic pleochroism via dichroscope, refractive index 1.682–1.752 with strong birefringence, specific gravity 3.30–3.39, and a recognized laboratory report…
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FAQ Cluster
Zultanite vs Other Color-Change Gems — Frequently Asked Questions
Zultanite (color-change diaspore) is one of several color-change gems on the market, each distinguished by mineral species, hardness, source region, and the strength and direction of color shift. Alexandrite (chrysoberyl) is the…
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Gem Comparison
Zultanite vs Color-Change Garnet
Zultanite (color-change diaspore) and color-change pyrope-spessartine garnet are both moderately hard color-change gems but differ in mineral species, optical character, and per-carat price. Diaspore is biaxial positive with strong birefringence; garnet is…
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Gem Comparison
Zultanite vs Color-Change Sapphire
Zultanite (color-change diaspore, 6.5–7 Mohs, RI 1.682–1.752) and color-change sapphire (corundum, 9 Mohs, RI 1.762–1.770) differ in hardness, durability, optical character, and color-shift register. Sapphire shifts blue-to-purple/violet; Zultanite shifts sage-to-raspberry through a…
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Gem Comparison
Zultanite vs Opal — Color Change vs Play-of-Color
Zultanite shows color change (the same crystal showing different colors under different illuminants) caused by trace iron and chromium absorbing different wavelengths from each light source. Opal shows play-of-color (rainbow flashes from…
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Gem Comparison
Zultanite vs Ametrine — Color Change vs Color Zoning
Zultanite shows color change (full body color shifts under different illuminants) while ametrine shows color zoning (purple amethyst and yellow citrine zones in the same crystal, both visible under any light). Both…
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Gem Article
Why Zultanite Is Sold Untreated
Color-change diaspore is sold without heat, irradiation, fracture-filling, or surface coating treatments because none of those treatments would produce a useful effect: the alexandrite optical phenomenon is structural and chromophoric, not amenable…