Ruby is loved by people for its bright color and precious value. However, there are also many imitation and synthetic rubies on the market. In order to ensure that the ruby you own or intend to buy is genuine, it is important to know some methods of identification. Several methods for determining the authenticity of rubies are described in detail below.
Visual observation method
Color feature
Look closely at the color of the ruby. True ruby colors usually have a certain depth and saturation, such as the famous “pigeon blood” color, which is rich and vivid with subtle blues. Fake rubies, on the other hand, may be too bright and dazzling, or the color distribution is extremely uniform, lacking the natural tone variation of natural gems. For example, the color of some synthetic rubies may appear to have been artificially mixed, and the color of the entire stone is like a uniform “red cloth”, without the ribbon or gradient of color that natural rubies produce during the formation process due to the uneven distribution of internal structure and trace elements.
Internal defect
Natural rubies almost always contain some inclusions during the formation process, such as tiny mineral crystals, gas-liquid inclusions, cracks and so on. These internal flaws can be seen when viewed with a magnifying glass or microscope. They tend to be irregular in shape, size and distribution. In contrast, synthetic rubies or imitations may look too clean inside, without any flaws, or the inclusions are very regular and consistent, like artificial patterns. For example, some glass imitations may have some bubbles inside, and the bubbles are uniform in size and neatly arranged, which is clearly different from the inclusions characteristics of natural rubies.
Physical property test method
Hardness test
Rubies are so hard that they rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. You can try to test the hardness of rubies with some substances whose hardness is known. For example, if a ruby is scratched with quartz with a hardness of 7, if the ruby is not scratched and the quartz is worn, then the ruby is likely to be real. However, be aware that this test method may cause some damage to the stone, so it is best to test in the inconspicuous part of the stone, and if the value of the stone is high or unsure of its authenticity, it is recommended not to try it easily.
Specific gravity test
The proportion of ruby is relatively large, about 3.99-4.05. A professional specific gravity balance can be used to measure the specific gravity of the stone. The ruby is placed in a liquid with a known density, and its rise and fall is used to determine whether the specific gravity is within the range of the ruby. However, this test method requires professional equipment, which may be difficult for the average consumer to have.
Method for detecting optical properties
Gloss and transparency
Real rubies have a unique glass luster to subdiamond luster, and transparency is better, can let light through better. Under the light, it will show a bright brilliance. Fake rubies, on the other hand, may have a dull luster, poor transparency, and appear cloudy. For example, the luster of some plastic imitations is relatively dull and lacks the flexible luster of rubies.
birefringence
Rubies have birefringent properties. When you look at a line through a gemstone, you will see that the line has a double shadow. A polarizer can be used to detect this birefringence. The ruby is rotated under a polarizing mirror, and if the gem is seen to alternate between light and dark at a certain Angle, and there is an obvious birefringence effect, then the gem is more likely to be ruby. However, some imitations of single refraction, such as glass and cubic zirconia, do not appear in this phenomenon.
Professional authentication tools and certificates
Gemstone identification instrument
Professional gem appraisal agencies use a variety of instruments to determine the authenticity of rubies. Such as spectroscope, can analyze the absorption of ruby to different wavelengths of light, different origin and quality of ruby will have specific absorption spectral characteristics. There are also refractometers, which can accurately measure the refractive index of gemstones, and the refractive index of rubies is between 1.76-1.78. These instruments can provide very accurate identification results, but they are expensive and generally only professional institutions and jewelry appraisers will be equipped.
Appraisal certificate
If there are doubts about the authenticity of a ruby, one of the most reliable ways is to obtain a professional gemstone identification certificate. Certificates issued by authoritative institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gubelin Gemological Laboratory in Switzerland can specify the characteristics of the ruby, including color, clarity, carat weight, origin and other information, and determine its authenticity. When buying rubies, try to choose stones with certificates from these authorities, which can greatly reduce the risk of buying fake stones.
Purchase source and price considerations
Purchase channel
Buying rubies from regular jewelry stores, reputable auction houses or reputable gem dealers can reduce the probability of buying a fake to a certain extent. These formal channels usually have a more strict purchase audit mechanism and quality assurance system. For example, well-known jewelry stores will conduct preliminary authenticity verification and quality assessment of the rubies they sell to maintain their brand reputation. And some street stalls or unidentified online platforms, there may be more fake and shoddy products.
Price factor
If the price of a ruby is significantly lower than the normal level of the market, then the probability that it is genuine is low. Because the real ruby, especially the better quality, its mining, processing and sales costs are high, and the price is relatively expensive. For example, a ruby that claims to be of high quality and weighs a lot of carats, but is sold at a very low price, is likely to be a scam, either a composite or an imitation.
conclusion
Determining whether a ruby is genuine requires a combination of methods. Through visual observation of color and internal defects, testing of physical properties such as hardness and specific gravity, detection of optical properties, and the use of professional identification tools and certificates, while taking into account the source of purchase and price factors, in order to more accurately identify the authenticity of the ruby. When buying rubies, consumers are advised to be cautious, learn more about relevant knowledge, and seek the help of professional jewelry appraisers if necessary to ensure their rights and interests and the authenticity of the purchased ruby.
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