If we consider its price per carat, the ruby can be considered the most precious colored gem. However, there are many fakes on the market and it can be difficult to recognize a real one. Ultimately, the safest way is to take the stone to a qualified and knowledgeable jeweler. At home you can evaluate the authenticity of the jewel by observing its color and hardness. Use a 10x magnifying glass, if possible, to scrupulously analyze it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Examine the Ruby at Home
Step 1. Observe the color and brilliance
Real rubies have a deep, vivid red color very similar to that of traffic light. Fake ones, on the other hand, are often opaque: they are bright, but not shiny. If the gem is dark red in color, it may be garnet, rather than a real ruby. However, if it is a real stone, know that when it is darker it generally has a higher value than the light ones.
- Check if the color is constant and uniform throughout the stone. False ones usually have defects and areas of impurities. Having said that, however, keep in mind that even real rubies have imperfections.
- As a reference, always consider the red light of the traffic light, but don't expect to find such a bright real ruby. If it is, it is probably a fake. However, an original gem has a color much more like traffic light red rather than a dull stone.
Step 2. Compare the stone to a piece of red glass
Fake rubies and other varieties of sapphires are often created with glass. If the two elements seem similar to you, you are surely holding two pieces of red glass! It is quite common for falsifiers to use composite glass.
Step 3. Try scratching the surface
Real rubies are very hard stones. Rub a fingernail or a coin on the stone to see if you can scratch it a little. If you notice any scratches, there's a good chance it's not a real ruby. Only diamonds can scratch this gem.
Composite rubies are not as durable as real ones. There is a possibility that it is not a really "fake" stone, but that it is a synthetic ruby
Step 4. See if you can scratch another surface with the ruby
Try rubbing it gently on another hard, smooth surface, such as a porcelain tile or piece of clear glass. The stone should be able to engrave the other surface regardless of whether it is a real gem or not. However, the aspect that allows us to understand if it is a real ruby is the presence of a red mark on the scratched surface.
If there is a clear red mark, it means that the stone has been artificially painted. In this case, you can say that the "gem" was actually made from a much weaker material
Step 5. Recognize the types of fakes
The stones that are generally used to imitate ruby are garnet, tourmaline, glass and composite gems.
- Garnet is a rather opaque dark red silicate mineral; it is much less hard than ruby.
- Tourmaline is a reddish-pink silicate mineral. It is a little harder than garnet, but much softer than ruby.
- The pieces of colored glass are extremely cheap and not at all resistant imitations. It is not at all difficult to recognize them from real rubies.
- Composite rubies are real gems that have been fused with glass. In this way, the ruby is larger and the jeweler can make a greater profit from it. Pay close attention, because these are pieces that are marketed as "real" rubies and at the same price.
Method 2 of 3: Consult a Jeweler
Step 1. Take the gem to a professional jeweler
In the end, the safest method to distinguish a real ruby from a fake is to rely on the expertise of a professional. He will be able to tell you if you have an original gem in your hands.
Look for a reputable jeweler who operates in your city. Consider reading some online reviews before heading to their store. Make sure previous clients have been satisfied with the accuracy of your reports
Step 2. Request an evaluation
The jeweler can analyze the jewel and tell you its value. Various gemstone dealers may offer you more or less money, but a professional's appraisal is typically a rough estimate of the ruby's market value.
Step 3. Get certified
A gemologist expert is able to issue an official certification of the authenticity of the ruby. This document is legitimate proof that guarantees the gem in case you want to sell it in the future. Make a copy of the certificate and store the original in a safe and secret place.
- The certificate is also valid with an insurance company. If you lose the gem due to a domestic accident or other mishap, you will be more likely to receive an insurance refund if you have proof of the ruby's authenticity.
- If you have decided to keep the gemstone, keep the document as a family heirloom. When a relative or a friend inherits the ruby one day, the value of the gem will be much higher thanks to the certificate. In addition, you will save the successor the trouble of contacting a gemologist for an appraisal.
Method 3 of 3: Check the Stone with a Magnifying Glass
Step 1. Inspect the gem with a 10x magnifying glass
You can use a jeweler's monocle or a normal optical microscope. If you don't have any tools that have this magnifying power, ask a friend to lend you one or go to a local lab. Alternatively, go to a jeweler.
Step 2. Expect to notice microscopic imperfections
Look for small flaws, invisible to the naked eye. If the ruby is genuine, it is normal that there are these small anomalies. Fake and synthetic gems are typically perfect, as natural flaws are so small that they are impossible to replicate.
- If you notice any kind of bubble, it is a fake gem. Real rubies have small imperfections, but no bubbles.
- External imperfections are scratches, nicks, cracks and small incisions. Internal defects (or inclusions) are categorized as: cracks (ribs), crystals, negative crystals, threads, fingerprints, halos, cavities, chips and areas of color.
Step 3. Look at the cut and the facets of the ruby
The surface complexity of this gemstone is only noticeable at 10x magnification (under a microscope). If the ruby is round, laminated and too smooth, it is likely a fake. Real stone has a clean, pure surface with clean cuts.
