The ruby is one of the most valuable gemstones on a price-per-carat basis. However, there are many fake rubies on the market so you will need to use the services of a licensed gemologist (jauhari) to make sure they are authentic. At home, you can judge the authenticity of a ruby by its color and hardness. We recommend using a 10-magnifying glass to assess the authenticity of your gemstones.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking Ruby at Home
Step 1. Assess the color and luster of the ruby
Real Ruby has a deep, clear glow, and resembles the red color of a traffic light. Fake rubies often look dull and bright but not bright. If the gem is dark red, it means it's not ruby but garnet. However, if it turns out to be a real gem, it will cost more than a bright ruby.
- Check the consistency and evenness of color on the ruby. Fake rubies usually have spots and blemishes. However, sometimes real rubies also have defects.
- Use the red of the traffic light as a reference, but know that real rubies are not that bright. If your ruby red color is exactly like a traffic light, it's most likely a fake. However, the real ruby red color should resemble a traffic light, rather than a dull red.
Step 2. Compare the ruby to the red colored glass
Ruby and other fake Sapphire varieties are often made of glass. Your ruby may be fake if it looks like glass. Counterfeiters usually use a mixture of glass to make fake rubies.
Step 3. Try rubbing the ruby surface
Real rubies are very hard. Rub a fingernail or a coin against the ruby's surface and see if the stone is scratched. Real ruby will not be scratched. Only diamonds can scratch rubies.
Fake rubies are not as durable as real rubies. It is possible that the ruby is not 100% fake and is just a machine made stone
Step 4. Check if the ruby has imprinted on other surfaces
Gently rub the ruby on a hard, smooth surface, such as porcelain tile or clear glass. A ruby's authenticity can be determined by the marks left on the scratched surface.
If it leaves red streaks, chances are the ruby was artificially colored and made from a weaker material
Step 5. Know the types of fake rubies
The stones commonly used as imitation ruby are garnet, tourmaline, glass, and composite gems.
- Garnet is a dark red silicate mineral that looks dull.
- Tourmaline is a pinkish-colored silicate mineral that is harder than garnet, but softer than ruby.
- Glass faux rubies are usually cheap and easily damaged. Ruby made of glass is easily recognizable.
- Composite rubies are real rubies that have been mixed with glass. Thus, the size of the gem becomes larger so that the selling price also increases. Therefore, you have to be careful as composite rubies are often sold for real rubies.
Method 2 of 3: Consult a Gemologist
Step 1. Use a professional to assess the authenticity of the ruby
This is the safest way to know the authenticity of your gemstone. A gemologist will examine your gemstone and assess its authenticity.
Find a leading gem expert in your city. Look at reviews on the internet before visiting a gemologist. Check if previous customers were satisfied with the analysis they received
Step 2. Have a gemologist rate your ruby
A gemologist will analyze and tell you the price of your ruby. The price given by gem experts can be a reference to determine the selling price of your ruby stone.
Step 3. Certify your ruby
A licensed gemologist can issue an official certification as proof of the authenticity of your ruby. This certification document is a must have if you wish to sell the ruby. Make a copy of this certificate and keep it in a safe and confidential place.
- Certified your ruby stone to keep it safe. If your ruby is lost due to a natural disaster or other uncontrollable (force majeure) conditions, you can receive compensation for the loss if you can prove that the missing ruby is genuine.
- If you plan on owning a ruby, keep it as a family heirloom. When one day your friends or family receive the ruby, the associated certificate will make its value higher. You also help them ensure that the ruby they receive is genuine.
Method 3 of 3: Examining Ruby with a Magnifying Glass
Step 1. Examine the ruby with a 10-magnifying glass
Use a gemologist's loupe or a standard microscope. If you can't use a high-powered probe, try asking a friend or a laboratory in your city. If not, just use the services of a professional.
Step 2. Look for microscopic defects
Check for very small defects in the ruby that cannot be seen with the naked eye. You will notice a slight flaw in the original ruby. Fake or artificial rubies usually have almost no defects because microscopic defects are very small and cannot be imitated.
- If you see bubbles, it's most likely a fake ruby. Try looking for defects other than bubbles in ruby .
- Types of external defects in rubies include scratches, holes, nicks, and minor scrapes. Some of the natural defects in ruby include crystal cracks, negative crystals, silk, fingerprints, halos, holes, nicks, and color zoning.
Step 3. Look at the ruby cut and facet
Details on the surface of a ruby can only be seen with the aid of a 10-power microscope. If your ruby is round, circular, or very smooth, it is likely a fake ruby. Real Ruby has clean, pure facets and sharp cuts
