Live session #18 Gem or Scam?

Recorded live session in which I discuss and demonstrate all kinds of Scammite. I introduced the term Scammite (Belazeriet in Dutch) to refer to all kinds of minerals that are either entirely man-made, treated or have a misleading (trade) name and where this is not disclosed.

Topics covered in this video include: Andara obsidian, Lopezite, Chalcanthite, Bismuth, Opalite, Silicon Carbide, Goldstone, Alum, lab-grown Quartz, synthetic Corundum, Strawberry Quartz, dyed Agate, Aqua Aura quartz, dyed Quartz geodes (power balls), manufactured Galenite geodes (Morocco), Crackle quartz, heat-treated Amethyst (“Citrine”), dyed Howlite (“turquoise”), Bumblebee Jasper, Kambaba Jasper, Azeztulite, Super 7, Auralite 23, etc. etc.

The videos in the Scammite series are intended primarily to inform mineral enthusiasts. After all, the best protection against Scammite is to be well informed yourself! So: Caveat emptor; buyer beware!. Who are you buying your minerals from? Are they reliable? Do they know what they are talking about? Are you doing your own research? However, in addition to “duty of inquiry” on the part of the buyer, I believe the seller also has a “duty of information.” I therefore hope that sellers will also start using the videos to properly inform their customers.

In May 2022 my book “Belazeriet of niet?” (Gem or Scam) was published, which is now out of print but all the information from that book and much more can now be found online in the Gem or Scam library!

On my YouTube channel you will also find separate videos on Bumblebee jasper, dyed calcite, bornite or chalcopyrite? and fake tourmaline.

I also made two podcast episodes about Scammite, you can find them here: part 1 and part 2.