Recognizing a ruby requires some expertise, especially since it's one of the most imitated gemstones due to its beauty and value. Distinguishing a real ruby from a cheap imitation is usually straightforward, but things get more complicated with some synthetic rubies. Also discover beautiful natural stones that resemble rubies.
The essentials for recognizing a ruby
The most reliable way to recognize a ruby is a test performed by a gemologist. Do-it-yourself tests can be dangerous for the stone, if it is genuine, such as trying to scratch it...
With the naked eye, it is possible to confuse a real ruby with a fake, especially a good quality synthetic ruby. The real stone and the lab creation will not only have similar color and clarity, but also the same or nearly the same brilliance. Synthetic rubies, however, are much less expensive.
As for imitations, they do not have the same physical properties and they are notably less hard than real rubiesRubies are the hardest stones (9 on the Mohs scale) after diamonds.
Did you know? Ruby is the birthstone of the month of July.
For recognize a real ruby, note that the most beautiful ones have almost no inclusions, but it is common for these gemstones to have natural imperfections. Very often, the rubies are heated to improve their appearance and uniformity.
Be careful, real rubies come in different colors. One of the most coveted is pigeon blood red, typical of Burmese rubyOther shades can range from bright red to pinkish red. There is something for everyone, but in the gemstone market, the most saturated or intense rubies command higher prices.
Discover all our rubies.
Please note that heating is the only treatment applied to the rubies sold on our site.
How to recognize a synthetic ruby ?
If you have a real ruby in one hand and a lab-grown stone in the other, it is not certain that you can recognize synthetic rubyThere are several methods for creating them, and some are indistinguishable from natural stones unless you use gemological equipment. However, with a jeweler's loupe, it is sometimes possible to spot inclusions that are quite specific to synthetic rubies. And if you know the prices, you can tell the difference.
For comparison, a real 1-carat ruby might sell for €1,500, while its 1-carat synthetic equivalent might cost €15. Excellent quality synthetic rubies command higher prices, but they don't reach those of real natural rubies.
Have a ruby ring created with Bonnot Paris.
What stones look like rubies? ?
If it is sometimes possible to confuse a real ruby with a synthetic ruby, it is unlikely that an imitation or " fake ruby ", for example in glass or plastic, manages to deceive anyone who has ever seen the exceptional brilliance of genuine rubies !
On the other hand, recognize a beautiful ruby It is not always easy to find a similar natural stone. Sometimes it is impossible to see it with the naked eye. Some specimens of stones can strongly resemble rubies.
This is the case :
· of rhodolite garnet,
· of red spinel,
· of some pink tourmalines.
It's not systematic, because multiple factors come into play, but these gems are often more affordable.
How to care for gemstones
