How To Spot A Ruby - ID Gems Like A Gemologist! 

Ruby is a big topic! But today, we wanted to just give a basic overview of some key factors to look for in picking out a ruby from other red gems. We hope this is helpful for beginners, but also hope our more experienced viewers will also find something interesting. If nothing else, it's a good excuse to look at lots of rubies! Let us know if you liked this and would like to know more.

Ruby is my wife's birthstone. She has several very nice pieces of jewelry including a ruby tennis bracelet, Burma ruby necklace with pearls, and Burma ruby earrings. She wore them all at her birthday party. I used a small UV flashlight on them and amazed everyone at the party when they just glowed, and glowed a brilliant pinkish-red color. It was a hit.

I love this segment and wish it was longer and more detailed. I would like to see included a comparo of the uv light, spectroscope, dichroscope, refractometer and polariscope responses for 'confusable' reds, i.e. tourmalines, spinels, red sapphire vs. 'true' ruby, red glass, garnets. (On a different note, I'd love to see a segment on what establishes a Paraiba tourmaline vs. a pale blue or minty green tourmaline.) Thanks in advance!

My FGA diploma exam had as a last question, "You have been given a parcel of 3 different species of natural red stones in bead form. What three species are they are how/what tests would you use to differentiate them?" Seems simple at first, but you really have to put some skull sweat into the answer. I remember it well, I loved the question.

Please make this a series! This is probably my new favorite video idea y’all have had!

Again, you have brought the magic of the world of gems and gemology closer to the general public. This is critical to passing the torch on to the next generation of gemologists. I would, however, caution taking on the task of identifying a gem with little to no prior experience. This can go wrong and turn into a VERY expensive mistake. I would suggest taking gemology classes and looking at as many examples of gems as possible. I would also recommend both Koivula and Gubelin's photo atlas of gem inclusions and the Sisk gem reference guide as great starting points on one's gem journey. Again, my hat is off to this channel for all the hard work in bringing both joy, entertainment, and knowledge to the world of gemology, jewelry, and gems. Bravo, bravo, bravo!

Great video Rebecca! It helped save me from making a purchasing mistake, glass being passed off as ruby. Light scratches and included bubbles gave it away. Thank you!!!

I'm a fan of this concept of video. I hope we get more.

There are a few critical tests and things to look for that are missing in this video. 1. In order to start to identify Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum(which wasn't even MENTIONED in this video) like a Graduate Gemologist(It's two words on the Diploma, not one), the first thing to look is the correct R.I. or Refractive Index. For that, you will need a Refractometer, Monochromatic Light, R.I. Liquid, and Gloves to protect your hands. Both natural Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum will have a R.I. of about 1.770 High - 1.762 Low, birefringence of 0.008. These numbers are very important to START to Identify Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum like a Graduate Gemologist. Since it shows two numbers, it proves Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum is a Double Refractive gemstone. 2. Once the R.I. falls in the right range, a critical thing to look for is Optic Character. Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum is Uniaxial Negative. This means that when rotating the Stone 180 degress on the Hemicylinder of the Refractometer, the 1.770 High shade cut off remains constant, while the 1.762 Low shade cut off moves. 3. Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum can display a Uniaxial Optic Figure. It can be seen using a Polariscope and a Optic Sphere glass wand. I won't say how to find it since that is a trade technique. 4. There are different internal features that natural Variety: Ruby, Species: Corundum has that are not the same in Variety: Synthetic Ruby, Species: Corundum. 5. In the case of flame fusion Synthetic Ruby Synthetic Corundum, the most likely identifying feature is an internal growth feature called Curved Striae. This can only be seen using Darkfield Illumination using a Gemological Microscope. If a Ruby Corundum appears eye clean, it is most likely a Synthetic. Flame fusion Synthetic Ruby Corundum can display Gas Bubbles, something natural Ruby Corundum will not. Synthetic Ruby Corundum made by Flame Fusion might also show Platinum inclusions from the crucible used to make it, Flux, Wispy Veils, and rarely "Comet Tail" inclusions made of Flux. 6. If a Synthetic Ruby Synthetic Corundum is made using the Hydrothermal method, it will display Zigzag growth structures. 7. Ruby Corundum of natural origin can have in it: Apatite crystals, Rutile(silk), rounded mineral crystals, partially healed fractures, "snowballs" a trade term that I won't describe here but if you have a G.I.A. Gem Identification Lab Manual you can look it up under Inclusion Photographs, hexagonal growth banding, and negative crystals. 8. The Spectroscope is an optional test and doesn't always show a Spectrum, so it is not as reliable as portrayed in the video. 9. One of the most important instruments to check if a Stone is Ruby Corundum or a Synthetic Ruby Corundum is a Dichroscope. What does it do? It checks for Pleochroism, or showing multiple colors in a Stone that the naked eye might not see immediately. Since Ruby Corundum and Synthetic Ruby Corundum is Pleochroic, using a Dichroscope is a mandatory test to prove a Gemstone is Double Refractive. If she was trained more, she would have known this and mentioned it. On the 20 Stone Final Exam, if you have a DR stone and do not mark down Pleochroism using a Dichroscope, you will fail to prove a stone is DR and FAIL the Exam. So, for anyone who watches this video: If you think this video will help you to identify Ruby Corundum AND Synthetic Ruby Corundum(which wasn't even MENTIONED in this video) like a Graduate Gemologist.. you are WRONG! How do I know? I know because on Sept. 28th, 2022, I passed my 20 Stone Final Exam for Gem Identification. Since I passed my other 2 Courses already, I AM a Graduate Gemologist.

I crush it up and mix it In water . If it's raspberry flavor, it was spinel , if strawberry , it was garnet , but if it is dragon fruit ,then that is ruby! ( Hell no I am not serious ) I have a 1.5 ct, glass filled ruby. It is not wonderful but helps me learn.

Rubies in Sri Lanka are extremely rare and the probability of finding one is 1:1,000,000, Surprisingly most respectable gem labs aren't even able to identify the locality and the locality test from the labs comes out as Burmese or Mozambique. Usually what we see in the market as rubies are treated pink sapphires heated under high oxygen.

this channel is singlehandedly responsible for my gemstone fixation and I regret nothing

Thank you so so much for the video! This is my absolutely favourite gemstone and this is my birthday stone according to astrology!

I buy and sell stones and I run into so many fakes I have to look back every so often to double check the way I check stones. Awesome videos!

The best way...raman spectroscopy. More fun would be LA-ICP-MS. I work with ruby daily, and my challenge is figuring out exactly where its from. Getting unusual origins like Tajikistan or Greenland is always exciting.

I currently have Burmese, Tanzanian, Mozambique, star rubies and am working on rubies from Greenland. I also have rubies from Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

You had a man on a show showing different color diamonds. There was a brown diamond that looked like it had a crack but was a part of the stone itself. I have one of those stones you can see the spot in the brown diamond. I really like my stone. Wanted to share that with you. Thanks so much.

I look forward to every episode. Absolutely love the entire crew you have. I previously suggested a show on Massachusetts gems/stones/minerals but realized there's probably not enough content. Could you do a show on all of New England? Pretty please! That should be enough content and would be amazing! Please and thank you. Love you all!

Could you please make a video about how to clean tarnished galena (PbS)?

July 14,1978❤❤❤ 46yrs old from Philippines

Can you also have just a few tiny-looking bubbles (if that is what it is) and a line here and there, plus kinda clear tiny spots as well or in a wave pattern...in a ruby? You can't see any of these unless there is a bright light behind the stone and with a loop. What do you think?

It’s ruby from difference origins their characteristics will be different such as inclusion, color and etc.? I do have Sri Lanka Ruby, the color looks pinkish, I do like more information about Cassiterite. Thank you

I really appreciate this type of information. I'd like to see more of this. I would like more information about spinel. They are one of my favorite stones. Thank you. I enjoy your videos.

I've bought both a star sapphire ring and a star ruby ring as well, in just waiting for them to be delivered. This video will help me a lot to identify if the ruby is real or not

شكرا جزيلا علي هاذه المعلومات النيرة و المفيدة؛لك كا الخير والعافية ؤختي الكريمة.

hi, thanks for your precious videos. Which stones can we find in carnelian agate region?

Could you add some recommendation links to "affordable but good enough" versions of the gem identification tools you mention, please? Thanks a bunch! 🙏🏼💕

Thank you so much! I have so many garnets, rubies, spinels. They are all in their final cuts to be set in jewelry. I just need to find someone who is willing to spend the money on them. I have a couple Burmese rubies and some more rare garnets

I had a dream last night that I was sorting through a handful of raw rubies. And then this was one of the first videos recommended to me. Noice

Ever since the day i started wearing a Ruby, since last one and a half year, i stopped making losses and also stopped getting financially cheated by people. Also i feel insulated from fear or insecurity.

The more I see any gem the easier it is for me, especially finding the host rocks that usually have the gems I'm looking for 😊

What fun. It's always nice to get tips for final determination. Good job on the instructional video it was helpful. Keep the goodness coming. Be happy, safe and stay healthy 😷⚒

Thanks for your video. According to your description of how or what a ruby should looks like, I think I have a genuine one. First,it’s bright red,blood color and clear. No scratch on the cut surface,it feels very heavy in your hand, and it can cut mirror. It’s cut in a heart shape and it’s about the size of my thumb. It looks so beautiful. With all these characteristics,do you think it’s a genuine ruby ? Thanks

What fascinating facts and tricks to know if you have a rudy gemstone for beginners.🤔♦️💎 It's amazing to see the differences between a rudy, garnet and spinal gem by their colors🔴, structure🟥 and where you can find them.🏞 Even the tools used for them are very handy as well.👩‍🔬🔎🔬 Thanks for teaching us about this. Good video.🙂👍👩‍🏫💎

My engagement ring is a natural red orange spinel. People often think it's an odd colored ruby

Another good one. Thanks! Have you made a video of Arkansas gems? And are there really rubies at Ruby Falls?

I have too much Ruby's nd now I know how to see Ruby ☺☺☺

OMG I love this video. I literally help people look for ruby, sapphire and rhodolite garnet in Franklin NC. My shop is called Cowee Gift Shop

I live in Vietnam and I’m treasure hunting 😍

Emeralds! 👍

THANKS FOR YOUR VIDEO

Thank you for the great video. Wonder what would be the price for a star ruby. Although might be hard to distinguish, I would love to know how to distinguish real turquoise from a fake one.

Love this new video format

Thanks

I have a few I've collected over my years. Trying to sell now. What's a good place to sell them?

What is its difference with ruby zoisite, usually made into bead bracelets?

My mom has a beautiful antique “ruby” ring but after watching this I don’t think it’s a ruby, but maybe it’s something else that is reasonably valuable. Sponoza! lol, I can’t remember that one exactly. Anyway, it’s not blood red, it’s a bit lighter, I think.

Please advise me about that do all ruby’s fluoresce for uv light or do some Ruby don’t fluoresce for uv light 💡 please help me out thank you 😊

I have a nice hunk of record keeper ruby, I kinda want to get it faceted

Excellent advice. Thank you Rebecca.

Hi mam how r you I need a paraiba tourmaline identification vedeo

I wear a hessonite ring. I think it's a light coloured red garnet.

I love this lady's eyes.

could you do how to spot an opal? please :)

I have a difficult question about rubies I'm trying to find out and so far the closest info I've seen regarding ANY info on the topic is from a Gubelin article probably before he got ill regarding SIAM rubies. But either the last king or before that of thailand was finding VERY high quality Royal red rubies with abundant amounts of iron preventing them to flouresce and also had a higher magnetism similar to that of a garnet. During the time Burmese rubies were eligal in the USA I'm pretty sure these were 1 of the main sources of top quality rubies at the time and ran dry in government mines since. If I'm not mistaken I think there was pictures of that king somewhere wearing 1 of these rubies on a pendant that is dark like an almandine but as pure red as a ruby. I'm curious If you had come across any odd red garnets that might not make much sence(eg, pleochroisic to orange(manganese inert), very high Ri (1.87) or so much iron it cant be read without chemical analysis on top of the first 2? or if you know anything about these older siam royal red rubies I might be talking about? From my understanding Garnets cant be orange without a fundamental element being manganese which is inert, But I have read that rubies get there pinks and orange colors from iron content (orange leaning more towards ferric iron or fe3/fe2o3) which I believe fe2o3 is a key ingredient to "thermite reaction" using aluminum and without anymore added oxygen create Al2o3 due to the redox reaction it's going through in nature in the ground I feel based on a university science competition I read about on redox reactions (or molten iron if oxidized in ambiant air which was used to weld in early 1900s to put railroads together due to it was stronger then the metal used on.

I’m dying on how to know if you looking at a chalcedony cause I have a piece of something and idk if it’s fire agate or red chalcedony

Great Information

Please do the video the help us identify blue sapphire

hi...i found a vein full of ruby...problem is that im slovenian and here nobody knows that we have vulkano long time ago...when we have panonsko sea...need some help advice contak where can i sell them in rought form. thanks

This is not addressing by far the most common lookalike - synthetic ruby.

On the Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom, the Black Prince's Ruby is actually a very large spinel.

I have 3 rough stones

Love the video! 😀👌💎❤️

Thanks for the tips.

Blue topaz please!

Sent the link of this video to my friend.

I have a natural ruby it is huge

nice

I don't understand how inclusions work. How do I tell which inclusions are natural & which are synthetic

Thankyou ...

Hi I have a. Ruby 33 ct

Where to sell rough gemstone? please can you help me.

Ty

Most clarified rubies are the Thai rubies

How about white sapphire. Since big diamonds are so expensive white sapphire has become popular. But surely it's more than a diamond alternative. Make it the star.

the problem with ruby is they can make it in the lab and looks just like the orginal also there are glass filled ones. İ wish u guys would aim more on the fake ones and how to identifie from real ones.

Ruby quality check

Wow

Yooperlite

Ruby princess preciose stone

What the heck is that image at 0:59?

Your uploaded all videos and i loved all but i tried to look forward and i got when i uploaded my Gemstones pictures you said that I'm a bad boy. That's why no more for watching. But if your sounds made my mind soft satisfying and i will continually keep watching. But what gave of your mind from him, and not the same what he gave into my mind. So much good quality Gemstones and gold in ours Country but no one opened eyes to see those. Gifts were different from sky whole.

Please do blue gems

experience has no substitute .

How bout the rounded ones the river rolls down stream they never mention those even diamonds and sapphires huh

MAKE IT REFORM AND MAKE SAPPHIRE REFORM TOO SO WE CAN HAVE GARNET

ผมก็มี 5 กะรัตมันสวยมาก

What about the dicroscope ? hehehe . Nice video by the way.😘

So I just happen to be researching gem stone and Um is that Amber 😉😉😉 Hahn 🧐 I know that voice anywhere

Great 👍 l like this video

Ruby is easiest to identify with a uv light

The most ruby in the world in Cambodia 🇰🇭 we called Pailen province.

“For she is more precious than rubies” my wedding ring 💍 will be a ruby ❤

How are my going to sell my ruby

Why did she FAIL to mention that Synthetic Ruby Corundum exists??

How about, "how to restrain oneself from homicide when told that golden or imperial topaz is the same stone as citrine"....(or that beryl and sapphire are the same stone, another goodie) Good golden topaz is exceedingly hard to find and is often faked with citrine of similar color....

Ruby will glow bright pink under uv light

Great video, but honestt I prefer ruby on rails 😉

Very cute madam!

Ye I found red stone to the sea that's truly like a ruby I don't what is it....