Frequently asked questions

• Is terahertz a natural gemstone?

  No. Terahertz is a manufactured material — a sintered silicon dioxide / silicon carbide composite originally developed for industrial applications and adopted into the bead trade for its dense, metallic-gray appearance. It is not mined, and there is no natural mineral called terahertz. Treat it as a synthetic in your project documentation: if a customer or buyer asks about origin, the accurate disclosure is "man-made composite, manufactured in China." The polycrystalline structure gives it a uniform, mirror-bright finish when faceted, which is part of why it took hold in faceted-round and lantern cuts.
• How do I tell terahertz apart from hematite?

  Both read as cool metallic gray, but there are working differences. Hematite is a natural iron oxide, magnetic in its hematine/magnetic-hematite form, and produces a red-brown streak. Terahertz is a non-magnetic silicon composite with a slightly warmer, more silvery tone and a brighter mirror polish on faceted surfaces. Hematite also tends to show fine surface scratches more readily; terahertz at Mohs 6.5 holds a cleaner facet edge. Side by side, terahertz looks more uniformly reflective, while hematite has a subtler, denser luster. For mixed-metal designs, the two can substitute visually but are not interchangeable on a disclosure tag.
• What does Mohs 6.5 mean for finished pieces?

  Mohs 6.5 puts terahertz in roughly the same durability range as tourmaline or peridot — solid for most strung jewelry but not bulletproof. Faceted edges can dull against harder stones (quartz, topaz, corundum) if stored loose together, so bag pieces separately. It's well suited to necklaces, bracelets, and earrings worn regularly; for rings or knuckle-height bracelet stations that take impact, expect facet wear over time. The polished mirror finish is the first thing to scuff, so avoid abrasive cleaners, ultrasonics, and steamers. Mild soap, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth are all it needs.
• What does terahertz pair well with in a design?

  The cool, mirror-bright surface anchors palettes that can otherwise read busy. It works cleanly with sterling and rhodium-plated findings, and bridges well to hematite, pyrite, labradorite, black spinel, and matte onyx for tonal metallic stacks. Against color, it pairs especially well with deep blues (lapis, sodalite, kyanite) and saturated reds (carnelian, garnet) where you want a neutral break between strong hues. The 6mm and 8mm faceted rounds are common spacer choices in mixed-stone designs; 10mm faceted lanterns and double-hearted cuts read as focal beads on their own.
• Should I disclose terahertz as synthetic when selling finished pieces?

  Yes. FTC jewelry guides require disclosure of synthetic, imitation, or manufactured materials at point of sale, and terahertz falls squarely in that category — it is not a natural mineral. Label it as "terahertz (manufactured composite)" or "synthetic terahertz" on hangtags and product listings. Avoid marketing language that implies a natural mineral origin or attributes physical properties (frequency, vibration, wellness claims) to the material; those claims are not supported and create separate compliance risk. Straightforward descriptive copy — color, cut, size, synthetic — is the cleanest path.