A fake ruby often displays an unnaturally bright or fluorescent appearance, lacks the nuanced depth of a natural stone, and may exhibit visible imperfections inconsistent with genuine rubies, or conversely, appear too perfect.
Understanding the Appearance of Counterfeit Rubies
Identifying a fake ruby involves scrutinizing its color, clarity, brilliance, and overall optical properties. While some fakes are obvious, others can be remarkably convincing, requiring careful observation or professional assessment.
Key Characteristics of Fake Rubies
Several tell-tale signs can indicate that a ruby is not authentic. These often relate to its color, clarity, and how it interacts with light.
- Unnatural Brightness or Fluorescence: One of the most significant indicators of a fake or heavily treated ruby is an unnaturally bright or highly fluorescent appearance. While some natural rubies do fluoresce under UV light, an overly intense or artificial glow can suggest it's a synthetic stone or has been treated with artificial coloring.
- Color Discrepancies:
- Too Perfect or Uniform: Natural rubies rarely have a perfectly uniform color. Fakes, especially those made of glass or synthetic materials, might show a consistent, unvarying shade of red that lacks the subtle variations found in natural gemstones.
- Lack of Depth: High-quality natural rubies exhibit a strong, rich red saturation, without any brown or gray overtones. A fake might appear dull, washed out, or possess undesirable brown or gray undertones, making the red less vibrant and deep. Conversely, some fakes might be excessively dark or light.
- Clarity and Inclusions:
- Absence of Inclusions: Perfectly clear rubies without any inclusions are extremely rare and highly valuable. If a ruby appears flawless to the naked eye, it's often a sign that it's a synthetic or an imitation, such as glass.
- Gas Bubbles: Glass imitations commonly contain tiny, spherical gas bubbles visible under magnification. Natural rubies typically have needle-like rutile inclusions (often called "silk"), growth lines, or other natural mineral inclusions.
- Swirl Marks: Glass fakes might also show swirl marks or flow lines within the material, indicative of its manufacturing process.
- Hardness and Durability: Rubies are incredibly hard (9 on the Mohs scale). Softer imitations, like glass or some plastics, can easily be scratched. While not a definitive test for all fakes (some synthetics are equally hard), it can rule out softer materials.
- Reflectivity and Brilliance: The way light bounces off and through a ruby can offer clues. A fake might have a duller luster, or conversely, an overly glassy sheen compared to the distinct brilliance of a natural ruby.
Common Materials Used for Fake Rubies
Various materials are used to mimic the appearance of a genuine ruby:
- Synthetic Corundum: These are chemically identical to natural rubies but are grown in a lab. They are very hard but often lack the natural inclusions and subtle color variations.
- Examples: Verneuil, Czochralski, or flux-grown rubies.
- Glass: One of the most common and easily identifiable fakes. Glass is softer, shows gas bubbles, and often has a lower refractive index.
- Other Red Gemstones: Stones like garnet, red spinel, tourmaline, or even colored quartz can be mistaken for rubies. Each has different optical properties, hardness, and inclusion patterns.
- Composite Rubies: These are created by filling fractures in natural or synthetic corundum with glass or other materials to improve appearance and weight.
Distinguishing Real from Fake: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Natural Ruby (High Quality) | Fake Ruby (Common Indicators) |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Strong, rich red saturation; no brown or gray overtones; subtle variations; deep and vibrant. | Unnaturally bright, fluorescent, too uniform, dull, or with brown/gray overtones. |
| Clarity/Inclusions | Characteristic needle-like "silk," growth lines, natural mineral inclusions; rarely flawless. | Often flawless; spherical gas bubbles; swirl marks/flow lines (glass); no natural inclusions. |
| Fluorescence (UV) | Can show red fluorescence, but not usually unnaturally intense. | Often unnaturally intense, artificial glow (synthetics/treated). |
| Hardness | Very hard (9 on Mohs scale), resists scratches. | Varies; softer (glass/plastic) will scratch easily; some synthetics are equally hard. |
| Brilliance/Luster | Distinct, vitreous luster. | Can appear dull, overly glassy, or lack depth. |
For definitive identification, especially with high-value pieces, always consult a certified gemologist. They use specialized equipment, such as refractometers, microscopes, and spectroscopes, to accurately determine a gemstone's identity. Credible sources like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provide extensive resources on ruby identification.
