Many people think sapphires are only blue, but there are also red, yellow, orange, green, or any other color in between. Natural sapphires are mostly found in soil or water, while synthetic sapphires are made in laboratories. Look for defects or inclusions in genuine sapphires, perform a breath test to assess authenticity, and obtain certification for genuine sapphires. Find air bubbles, do a scratch test, and see through gems to spot fake sapphires. You should also always ask the jeweler/gemologist.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Looking for Signs of Sapphire Authenticity
Step 1. Look for defects and inclusions
Use a gem magnifying glass, at least 10 times magnification, to carefully examine the sapphire. Natural sapphires are formed with very few other ingredients in them so look for small spots and blemishes. This defect is a strong sign of the authenticity of the sapphire.
Lab-made (fake) sapphires have no inclusions, and sometimes natural sapphires also have no defects. However, if it has a defect, it means the sapphire is genuine
Step 2. Perform a breath test
Take a sapphire and exhale to condense it. Count how long the dew begins to fade until it disappears. In natural gems, dew will disappear in 1-2 seconds, while fake sapphires take up to 5 seconds.
Step 3. Get a sapphire certification
Gemologists can examine and analyze gems to determine their type. They can tell whether a sapphire is natural or synthetic, processed or not, as well as many other attributes.
- Once the gemologist has fully examined the gem, he or she will give an official statement. If you own a family-owned sapphire and believe in its authenticity and naturalness, it's a good idea to get certified to ensure it gets the best selling price.
- Certified sapphires are easier to sell at high prices.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Fake Sapphires
Step 1. Check for air bubbles in the gem
Lab-made sapphire is glass that is processed like natural sapphire. Because it is made of glass, small air bubbles are still left in it after the gem is formed. If you see a sapphire bubbling in the air, it's not real.
Be sure to turn the sapphire over and examine it from every angle. It is possible that the air bubbles are only visible from one angle
Step 2. Use a scratch test
If you have two sapphires and you are sure that one is genuine, use a scratch test on the second sapphire. Gems with the same hardness level will not be able to scratch each other. Therefore, if both of your gems are genuine, nothing will happen. If the sapphire has scratch marks, it means that the scratched sapphire is not genuine, or at least of inferior quality.
This test can damage synthetic sapphires so do it wisely
Step 3. Pay attention to the reflection of light from the sapphire
Turn off the lights in the room and shine a flashlight on the sapphire. If the sapphire is real, the color of the reflected light is the same as the color of the sapphire. If there is a reflected color other than sapphire, it means the gem is made of glass and is fake.
Method 3 of 3: Determining the Quality of Sapphire
Step 1. Notice the intersecting lines inside the sapphire
Some natural sapphires are so low-quality that they cannot be sold. One of the seller's tricks to outsmart the sapphire is to fill the sapphire with PB (lead) glass which masks the poor quality of the sapphire. If you see the crossed lines, it looks like the sapphire is real, but of poor quality.
Step 2. Ask the jeweler for the naturalness of the gem
If you are planning to buy sapphires from a jeweler, it is a good idea to ask if the gems are genuine or synthetic. Regulations require that jewelers disclose all information regarding the gems they sell.
Don't be afraid to sound critical or uninformed when asking for sapphire. You will be spending valuable money so it is natural to be sure of the item to buy
Step 3. Ask the jeweler if the natural sapphire has been processed
There are several processes that can be used to improve the color and clarity of sapphires. While this process makes the sapphire look more attractive, you may find that it loses its natural qualities.
