HOW TO TELL IF A RUBY IS REAL

Are you considering buying a ruby? Before you do, it's important to know how to tell if the ruby is real or not. After all, these precious gems can be quite expensive! Fortunately, there are some easy ways to identify real rubies from man-made ones. Read on for some tips and tricks on spotting a real ruby stone in no time.

STEP ONE: CHECK THE RUBY'S HARDNESS

As mentioned above, real rubies are highly resistant to scratches, ranking a firm 9 on the Mohs scale of Hardness. Real rubies rank second in durability only to diamond and moissanite gems because a diamond ranks a 10 on the Mohs scale, while moissanite ranks a 9.25. This means that only a diamond (or an object with a hardness greater than 9) can scratch real rubies. This is the same for all gems on the Mohls Scale of Hardness. For example, a material such as glass (a common material in fake rubies) is a mere 5.5 on the hardness scale, so it can only scratch stones with a 5.0 hardness ranking or below.

THE RUBY SCRATCH TEST

The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a scale used to measure the relative hardness of minerals. It assigns a value between 1 and 10 to a mineral, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. For example, talc has a hardness rating of 1, while diamond has a rating of 10.

A real ruby gem has a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, which means that it is a very hard mineral. This makes it difficult to scratch with most common objects, including fingernails, coins, and other hard objects. The ruby scratch test works by trying to scratch a ruby with one of these objects; then, if it scratches, it is likely a fake ruby gem.

It is important to note, however, that the ruby scratch test should not be the only method used to determine the authenticity of a ruby. There are many other factors to consider, such as color, clarity, and cut, that can also help identify a real ruby gemstone.

THE RUB TEST:

In this method, you are looking to see if your ruby leaves behind a color streak. Use the ruby in question to scratch a hard, smooth surface, such as a piece of glass. If a streak of red color is left behind on the hard surface, then it is clear that you have a fake ruby on your hands.

A real ruby gem will never leave color in that way. The only issue with this technique is that you cannot be sure that the ruby is real if it doesn't leave a trace of color. However, you can only be certain that it is a fake ruby if it does.

COMMON RUBY IMITATIONS

Tourmaline: Tourmaline stones are crystal silicates (hardness is rated 7.0-7.5 on the Mohs scale). The pinkish-red variety of this stone is frequently marketed as other gemstones, including genuine rubies, although it is considerably softer.

Garnet: This is yet another variety of the same element, the mineral silicate. Garnet gems come in various hues, but unscrupulous gem dealers often market the red variety of this stone as genuine rubies.

Glass: Most fake rubies on the market consist of red-colored glass. These synthetic, fake rubies are affordable but aren't exceptionally long-lasting. Additionally, genuine ruby stones typically have a higher refractive index than glass, meaning they sparkle and shine more than one-dimensional red glass.

Composite Rubies: These are genuine rubies with red-colored glass fused into it. Mixing these two materials creates a larger, fake stone at a lower price point than real ruby gemstones.

The disadvantage of composite rubies is that these stones contain glass and, thus, are easily fractured and harmed by chemicals in housekeeping supplies.

RUBY VS. GARNET

Garnet: Real rubies are relatively more flawed with inclusions than garnets, which are usually clearer. Real rubies are also a deeper and more distinct dark red, whereas garnet stones tend to be lighter and much paler. And finally, garnet (like tourmaline) is softer than genuine rubies, with a Mohs Scale rating is 6.5 to 7.5.

STEP 2: CHECK THE RUBY'S COLOR

THE RICH COLOR TEST:

The color of your ruby stone is one of the best factors to look at first. An authentic ruby gemstone has a deep, rich hue. A ruby-red color that is so vivid that it looks bright, while fake rubies often appear pale and dull, as if there is no substance.

SPOTLIGHT RED:

Use the "stoplight red" as a guide, but do not expect to find a real ruby stone that is that bright. If you do, then your "real ruby stone" is likely fake. However, an authentic ruby gemstone is more like a bright traffic light than a faux, dull stone.

DARK RED:

If a gem is more of a dark shade, it is probably a garnet instead of a real ruby stone. Garnets are a common substitute for real rubies

THE GLASS TEST

Fake rubies commonly consist of glass. To determine if you have a fake ruby, compare it to similar-tinted glass. No genuine ruby will ever be identical to the color or tint of a piece of glass.

This is because glass has a different composition and refractive index than genuine rubies. Natural rubies have a unique combination of color and transparency due to the presence of chromium and other minerals in the stone, which makes them difficult to replicate using other materials.

Glass imitations may be similar in color, but they lack the natural inclusions and internal structure found in real rubies. Therefore, comparing the color and tint of a suspected ruby to similar-tinted glass can help identify whether it is genuine or not.

STEP 3: FEEL THE RUBY'S WEIGHT

While checking the weight of a "ruby" is not a definitive way to determine its authenticity, it can be a helpful tool when combined with other tests. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

1) Real rubies are denser and heavier than most fake rubies. If you have two rubies of the same size, the real ruby stone will typically weigh more than the fake one. This is because real rubies are made of aluminum oxide, while most fake rubies consist of glass or other synthetic materials, which are lighter.

2) To tell if a ruby is real, you can also measure the specific gravity of a ruby. A real ruby stone will have a specific gravity of around 3.99, while most fake rubies have a specific gravity of around 3.50.

3) However, the weight of a ruby alone is not a reliable indicator of its authenticity. There are many factors that can affect the weight of a ruby, such as the size, shape, and quality of the gemstone. Additionally, some fake rubies are made from materials that have a similar density to real rubies, so they may have a similar weight as well.

STEP 4: A REAL RUBY IS PRICEY

The best indicator that you have a real ruby gem is its rarity. Most rubies on the market are synthetic, fake rubies made in laboratories, so genuine rubies will always be rarer and more valuable. If the price of ruby gem is too low, there's a good chance it is a fake ruby - or a very low-quality one.

In general, a real ruby stone is very costly. In contrast, a lab-created ruby is about 20% less expensive than a real ruby stone, while a synthetic ruby can be up to 90% cheaper.

In terms of size, it is tough to find a real ruby in a larger size. However, the stones that are the real deal and come in larger carats are extremely rare & expensive. If a ruby is quite large, there is a high probability that it is a synthetic ruby.

STEP 5: INSPECT THE RUBY'S CLARITY

Buy a ten-power (10x) jeweler's loupe online and inspect your "ruby" under high magnification. You will be able to detect tiny flaws on the surface of a real ruby stone under a microscope in a process called spectroscopy. These flaws usually aren't visible to the naked eye.

These flaws are 'inclusions.' A real ruby forms as a mineral deep in the earth; thus, a genuine ruby will always have flaws - sometimes a black spot, a line, or inclusions from foreign minerals.

In addition, a real ruby stone usually has consistent clarity; thus, your stone is likely not a real ruby if the clarity is not consistent throughout.

STEP 6: EXAMINE THE CUT RELATIVE TO ITS SIZE

Examining the cut of a ruby relative to its size is another way to determine if a ruby is real or not. Here are some things to look for:

1) Check the Shape: Most real rubies over ½ carat in size are usually cut into fancy shapes, such as a pear or cushion shape. Thus, if you have a larger carat-size ruby in a round shape, it may be a false ruby.

2) Overall Symmetry: A real ruby gem will have a symmetrical cut, meaning that it will be evenly proportioned on all sides. If the ruby's cut is lopsided or uneven, it may be a fake. There are two reasons for this:

A) If a ruby is cut unevenly, it indicates that the gemstone was cut by an unskilled or inexperienced cutter who may have tried to maximize the stone's carat weight at the expense of its symmetry and overall quality.

B) Additionally, a poorly cut ruby may indicate that it is not a genuine ruby since a real ruby is a valuable gemstone typically cut by an experienced and skilled cutter to maximize its beauty and value. Therefore, a lopsided or uneven cut may indicate that the ruby is a fake.

3) The Facets: Real rubies will have clean, sharp facets that are evenly spaced and consistent in size. If the facets are dull, uneven, or irregularly shaped, it may be a fake.

4) Level of Depth: A real ruby gemstone will have depth to its cut, meaning that it will have a three-dimensional quality to it. If the cut appears flat or shallow, it may be a fake.

5) Carat Size: If the ruby is very large and has a perfect cut, it is more likely to be a fake. Large rubies are rare and expensive and are usually only found in museums or high-end jewelry stores.

In general, a real ruby gem will have a high-quality cut that reflects light well and enhances the stone's natural beauty. If the cut looks cheap or poorly done, it may be a fake.

STEP 7: GENUINE RUBIES COME WITH CERTIFICATION

If you're looking for genuine rubies, be sure to check the certification. All reputable dealers will offer a certificate of authenticity with each ruby purchase. This document should include information on the 4 Cs of each ruby: carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. The certificate will also state whether a ruby is a treated or a non-treated stone. This is important because a non-treated ruby stone is more valuable than a treated one.

This last technique is the only foolproof way to check a ruby's authenticity. If the jeweler does not offer this documentation, the gemstone in question is likely a false ruby. When examining a potential ruby purchase, don't hesitate to ask questions. A reputable jeweler will be happy to answer them. And if you're still unsure, consult a gemologist or another expert before making your purchase.

WRAPPING UP

By following these steps, you should have a better understanding of how to tell if a ruby is real or not. If you are ever in doubt, it is better to get a professional opinion and let an expert confirm the authenticity of your ruby. Doing so will help ensure that you buy only genuine rubies and not artificial ones. Good luck!