Dr. Karl Schmetzer recently showed how near-flawless to flawless natural amethyst could be separated from synthetic amethyst on the basis of the presence of Brazil twinning in the natural stones. Whereas Dr. Schmetzer's procedure required a special apparatus, the authors have determined that a standard gemological polariscope is more than adequate to make the separation in most cases. Although some synthetic amethyst does show evidence of twinning, in the synthetic stones examined thus far it has taken a form that is distinctly different from the Brazil twinning seen in most natural amethysts. The presence of certain inclusions as well as the nature of the color zoning seen in natural versus synthetic amethysts is of primary use in making a separation. However, where there are no inclusions or color zoning, the presence of Brazil twinning in the natural amethyst will usually make the distinction.
