How to Identify a Real Ruby Stone: Expert Tips

The vibrant red of rubies is their most striking feature. You won’t find any other gem in such an alluring red as a ruby stone. It’s  also durable, scoring 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just after diamonds. But even after all this, is it really easy to differentiate a real ruby from a fake one?

Rubies are typically mined in Myanmar (previously Burma), Kenya, Afghanistan, Thailand and Vietnam. When it comes to a natural ruby stone, it becomes expensive and almost unattainable, as is the case with Burmese gems. Those mines are nearly depleted. However, with deposits in other countries, you can still find real ruby stones. But the dilemma remains, how do you identify a genuine one from the synthetic? In this guide, we’ll share expert tips to help you. Let’s begin.

Key Factors to Identify a Real Ruby Stone

There are a few key factors to identify a genuine ruby stone, such as color, clarity, cut and hardness. Let’s talk about that.

Color and Clarity

The color of rubies is one of their most defining features. If it doesn’t exude a vivid red, then it’s probably not a genuine gem. Typically, the tone ranges from medium to dark hues, but if it shines with an unnaturally bright glow, it can signal a synthetic stone.

Natural rubies tend to have inclusions due to their formation under extreme heat and pressure for millennia within Earth’s caverns. So, if you notice the lack of internal flaws in a ruby stone, it’s likely a treated or lab‑made gem.

Cut and Hardness

A finely cut ruby with symmetrical facets reflects light evenly. On the other hand, a poorly cut stone with irregular shapes may indicate it is not genuine. In terms of durability, a ruby is only second to diamonds. So, if a stone scratches easily or shows signs of wear, it may not be authentic. High-quality loose ruby stones will always retain their shine even with daily wear.

Furthermore, a real ruby stone price will be much higher than that of a lab‑made one. You may even have to save for months to own a genuine gem. So, when you come across rubies that are exceptionally affordable, the stone may not be as genuine as it appears.

Scratch Test

To verify the authenticity of a ruby, you can conduct a simple scratch test. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Clean the stone using a damp toothbrush or cloth to remove any dust.

Step 2: Try scratching the gem’s surface with your fingernail. Real rubies will remain unscathed.

Step 3: Test the ruby stone with sandpaper, a knife or a piece of glass. Genuine stones will not show any scratches.

Step 4: Drag the ruby across a porcelain plate. If it leaves a trail of red color, it is not genuine. Authentic stones will not leave any mark.

Heat and Weight Resistance

Genuine rubies are denser than synthetic ones. So, if a stone feels lightweight for its size, it may not be authentic. In addition, rubies are highly heat‑resistant. To test authenticity, you can perform a basic heat test by briefly exposing the stone to a flame. Carry out this task carefully, holding the gem with tweezers and taking proper precautions. A real ruby will not change under heat, while a fake ruby may become damaged or alter in color.

Professional Help

The best way to ensure the authenticity of a ruby stone is to seek professional help. When buying from ruby stone for sale events, ask the seller about the stones and their treatments. Reputed jewelers such as gems ny will always provide details about rubies in the authenticity certificate. If you need any advice regarding jewelry or gemstones, their gemologists are available to assist you.

Heat Treatment in Rubies

This treatment isn’t rare; it is commonly used to enhance the color and clarity of natural rubies. Heat treatment on gemstones is industry‑approved and primarily conducted to improve the appearance of the gems. However, some rubies undergo extreme heat treatments, including flux filling to repair visible fractures. Such treatments are always mentioned in gemological reports.

At gemsny, you’ll receive detailed information about any treatments in their authenticity certificate. You will also find ruby jewelry for every budget, ensuring that the cost of a real ruby doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

How to Care for Your Ruby Gemstones

Rubies are durable stones and resistant to damage, but they do need minimal care to keep sparkling for years. Remove your ruby stone jewelry when swimming or doing strenuous activities and store it in a separate box.

For cleaning, use a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm soapy water and gently wipe the stones to remove debris. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. This practice will keep your ruby stones shining beautifully for generations to come.

The Truth About Lab-Grown Rubies

All that talk about a ruby stone and I almost forgot the important information about lab gems. Lab‑grown rubies do not come from mines; they’re made in laboratories using the same heat and pressure. The lab origin is the only factor that differentiates them from mined ones. The best thing about a lab‑made ruby is that it’s not only beautiful but also affordable. While you may have to save for months to buy a mined ruby, you can purchase a lab stone without scratching your head.

Mined rubies are rare and hard to obtain, which sometimes involves issues of labor exploitation and unethical practices. But when you choose a lab‑made ruby, you choose the ethical and sustainable path. You don’t have to worry about its origin or rarity; you’ll naturally get stunning jewelry. So, what do you think you’ll select? The choice is ultimately yours.

Parting Thoughts

A ruby stone is beautiful in its red hue and is also the birthstone of July. Even if your birthday doesn’t fall in that month, you can still claim ruby jewelry and make it your signature style. Whether mined or lab‑created, this gem will shine unapologetically and make you the star of any event.

So, if you’re still searching for a ruby gemstone, consider GemsNY as your guide. Explore their vast collection of loose gems and craft a unique piece using the Make Your Own feature. After your purchase, don’t forget to share your valuable feedback in GemsNY Reviews.