The Man Made Diamonds

Rubies are one of the most valuable and sought after gems, that is a fact.  They have long been  considered to be one of the four most precious gemstones along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.  Natural, untreated rubies can command a price very comparable to natural colored diamonds.  When you decide to buy a ruby ring or another piece of genuine ruby jewelry, how do you know if the ruby you are buying is genuine?

• The best way to determine if a ruby ring is genuine or not is to ask to see the gemological lab report for the stone.  A reputable jewelry dealer will not hesitate to show you this report.  If any hesitation or outright refusal on the part of the seller occurs, don’t buy the ring because it may not be what it is represented to be.

• Realize that most affordable rubies sold have been treated in some way, either with heat or with some sort of filling.  Oil, wax, glass, paraffin and epoxy resins are all used.  The lab report should acknowledge any treatment done to the ruby.  A treated natural ruby is still considered to be genuine, but should cost less than an untreated natural ruby.

• Ask to see the ruby under ultraviolet light.  Most fakes will glow brightly under a blacklight.  This may not be an entirely accurate determining factor however, since some natural rubies also exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

• Look at the stone under magnification.  Natural rubies will have inclusions, usually needle-like particles.  An imitation or synthetic ruby will not have these natural inclusions.

• Lastly, always shop with a reputable dealer when buying rubies or any gemstones.  Buying gemstones at antique shops, flea markets or estate sales increases you chances of getting a fake.  In the early 20^th century, there were many synthetic rubies on the market, and so vintage ruby jewelry should be inspected by a professional before it is purchased.

Doing your due diligence when shopping for ruby rings can save you a lot of money in the long run.  It can sometimes be hard to determine if you are really buying a genuine ruby ring, so asking to see the lab report and shopping at a store you trust are the most important things to remember when it comes to buying a ruby ring or any ruby jewelry.

Comments are closed.