Sapphires are generally thought to be blue, but they can also be red, yellow, orange, green, or other shades of color. Natural sapphires can be found in soil and water. Synthetic sapphires, on the other hand, are created in the laboratory. To determine the authenticity of a natural sapphire, look for flaws and intrusions in the stone and perform a breath test. Look for air bubbles, run a scratch test, and shine a light through the gem to find out if it's a fake sapphire. Always ask jewelers about the sapphires they sell so you know what kind of gem they are.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Research the Signs of a Genuine Sapphire
Step 1. Look for flaws and intrusions
Use a jeweler's magnifying glass, at least 10x magnification, to closely inspect the sapphire. Natural sapphires are formed with tiny pieces of other matter, so look for small specks and imperfections. These flaws are a good indication that a sapphire is real.
Synthetic ones have no intrusions of this nature and some natural sapphires may have no flaws, but if you notice any imperfections, it is a genuine sapphire
Step 2. Perform the breath test
Take the sapphire and exhale the air on its surface to tarnish it. Count how long it takes for condensation to begin to fade and how long it takes to disappear completely. Natural gemstones should lighten in just a second or two, while man-made sapphires may take about five.
Step 3. Get your sapphire certified
Gemologists can examine a sapphire and determine what type of gem it is. They give you their technical report on the sapphire after analyzing it. They can tell you whether it is natural or synthetic, treated or not, as well as many of its other characteristics.
- Once the gemologists have fully examined the gem, they will provide you with an official statement. If you have an old family sapphire that you are sure is natural and valuable, it is good to have it certified to maximize its value in case you want to sell it.
- A certified sapphire will be easier to sell for a good price.
Part 2 of 3: Finding a Fake Sapphire
Step 1. Check for air bubbles in the gem
Lab-created sapphires are essentially glass that undergoes a process similar to that which forms natural sapphires. Since it is glass, small air bubbles remain inside after they form. If you see bubbles inside the sapphire, it is a fake stone.
Make sure you turn the sapphire and inspect it from every angle. Air bubbles may only be visible from one angle
Step 2. Run the scratch test
If you have two sapphires and you know for sure that one is real, use it to scratch the second. Gems of equal hardness cannot scratch each other, so if both are real sapphires, then nothing will happen. If the real sapphire leaves a scratch on the second, the other is not real, or at least it is of inferior quality.
This test can damage a synthetic sapphire, so be aware that you can spoil the lower value gem
Step 3. See how the light reflects off the sapphire
Turn off the lights in a room and aim a flashlight at the sapphire. If the stone is genuine, it will only reflect light the same color as the sapphire. If it is fake, it means that it is made of glass and will reflect other colors besides that of the gem.
Part 3 of 3: Determining the Quality of a Sapphire
Step 1. Look for the intersecting lines in the sapphire
Some natural sapphires are of such poor quality that they cannot be sold. One way sellers compensate for this problem is to fill the sapphire with lead glass in order to mask the poor quality of the gem. If you see any criss-crossing lines, it is possible that the stone is genuine, but it is very likely that it is of poor quality.
Step 2. Ask the jeweler if the gem is natural
If you are considering buying a sapphire from a jeweler, you should always ask if the gem is natural or synthetic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency that deals with consumer protection and competition in the United States, requires the jeweler to be transparent about the quality of the gems he sells.
Don't be afraid to sound critical or uninformed if you ask about a sapphire. It is your money and you have a right to know for sure what kind of product you are buying
Step 3. Ask the jeweler if a natural sapphire has been treated
There are various treatments that are performed on sapphires to improve their color or clarity. While this may improve the appearance of the stone, you may think that it reduces the natural quality of the sapphire.
