How To Tell If A Sapphire Is Natural
When shopping for a natural sapphire, it’s important to know how to identify an authentic stone. Natural sapphires are some of the most valuable and sought-after gemstones, so it is essential to be able to recognize a genuine one. In this blog post, we will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to know to determine if a sapphire is natural. Read on to learn how to tell if a sapphire is natural or not.
Check For Treatments
Treatments can greatly alter the look and value of a sapphire. Natural sapphires may be heat treated to enhance their color and clarity, or other treatments may have been applied such as oiling or waxing. Treatments like these are sometimes used to turn a lower-grade pink ruby into a high-grade blue sapphire. It is important to check for any signs of treatments to ensure that the sapphire you are looking at is a genuine natural sapphire and not a synthetically created one.
Look At The Color
The color of sapphires can range from a light blue to deep dark blue, depending on the amount of iron and titanium in the stone. Sapphires can also be pink, yellow, green, and orange. Pink ruby is a type of pink sapphire. Natural sapphires will usually have a more vivid color that is uniform throughout the gemstone. If the sapphire appears dull or has patches of different colors, it is likely a treated or synthetic stone. To identify pink rubies, look for subtle red hues within the pink. Pink rubies typically contain other trace minerals like chrome or vanadium which help produce their unique hue. Another way to differentiate between a pink ruby and other types of pink sapphires is by looking at the hue angle when viewed through a spectrometer – pink rubies usually display a hue angle greater than 50 degrees while other types of pink sapphires display angles less than 50 degrees. In addition to its distinct hue angle, pink rubies may also appear slightly brighter than pink sapphires due to its higher refractive index. Pink rubies are highly sought after because they combine both beauty and rarity; they are considered rarer than other colored gems, including pink sapphires. To ensure you’re getting a genuine pink ruby, purchase only from trusted sellers who specialize in natural gems.
Examine The Clarity
Clarity is an important factor to consider when determining if a sapphire is natural or not. Sapphires are naturally included stones, meaning they contain inclusions or small imperfections that may be visible to the naked eye. As with any gemstone, the fewer inclusions a sapphire has, the more valuable it is.
A natural sapphire will usually have very small inclusions that are not noticeable to the untrained eye. These may appear as tiny spots, streaks, or bubbles. Natural sapphires can also have areas of transparency or cloudiness. If a sapphire has large and obvious inclusions, such as cavities or fractures, then it is likely a treated or synthetic stone.
Pink rubies typically display fewer inclusions than other colored sapphires. This means they are often of higher quality and more valuable. When inspecting a pink ruby for clarity, look for small inclusions and areas of cloudiness, but bear in mind that some natural rubies may still be included.
Consider The Carat Weight
When it comes to carat weight, a natural sapphire typically weighs more than a treated sapphire. In some cases, the treated stone can be much lighter than the natural one. Additionally, if the sapphire is exceptionally large in size, you can almost be certain that it is a natural sapphire. For example, a pink ruby that weighs more than 1 carat is almost always natural. If the pink ruby is particularly light for its size or appears too good to be true then it may be a treated gemstone instead of a natural pink ruby. To further ensure your pink ruby is natural, look closely at its surface. Natural pink rubies often have imperfections such as inclusions, fractures, or wear marks on their surface due to aging. Treated stones usually have fewer inclusions and no age related imperfections since they have not been formed over time like a natural gemstone. Furthermore, synthetic pink rubies will usually exhibit an unnatural glow or fluorescence under ultraviolet light which differentiates them from genuine pink rubies. Finally, ask your jeweler for certification from an independent gemologist who specializes in identifying natural gemstones so you know for sure that your pink ruby is truly genuine.
Inspect The Cut
When looking for a natural sapphire, pay close attention to the cut of the stone. Sapphires that have been treated or synthesized tend to have cuts that are too perfect and symmetrical, which can be a telltale sign of a fake gem. Natural sapphires are often cut in various shapes including oval, cushion, round, and pear. They can also have unique inclusions or shapes that make them stand out from their counterparts. If you’re looking at a pink ruby, make sure the cut is fairly deep to allow the color to be fully visible. Deep cuts also tend to add sparkle and brilliance to the stone, making it more valuable.