Know How to Identify Fake Gemstones

A beautiful natural phenomenon, gemstones have been a part of jewellery forever. Whether it's the Mughal jewellery or even that occasional ring you love to do today, we all like to include gemstones in our collection.

Adding colour to gold jewellery or silver adds an elegant touch to any fine jewellery. So, while gemstones make us all swoon with their colours and styles, how should we know if they are real? What if we're picking up an imitation without our knowledge?

Don't fret! Because we're here to help. Here are some things you should remember before finalizing gemstone jewellery for you.

Gemstone will have Flaws

While you wonder how to buy gemstone jewellery, let us tell you that a real gemstone is a natural element, and it will have flaws. Other than being mined, polished, and cut as per the jewellery, there's no other interference. In contrast, a synthetic or imitated gemstone will tend to look more perfect and sometimes even flawless. So make sure you're picking up the one you want!

Gemstones are not Cheap

It may be if a gemstone dealer shares prices too reasonable to be accurate. Natural gemstones like Rubies and sapphires will have varying costs as per their weight, carat, and colour you should know about the different types of gemstones, and you will know these stones will still be on the costlier side comparatively. Meanwhile, fake / imitated gemstones will usually have a lower price.

Difference in Sparkle and Shine

The shine of a natural gemstone will be subtle as it's been worn down by nature. Meanwhile, a synthetic one will have a brighter shine. There are different gemstone colours and it might seem like it would be the other way around, but it isn't. A natural occurrence, gemstones will also have a lesser sparkle than synthetic ones.

Difference in Gemstone Weights

A synthetic gemstone is usually denser than a real gem and, thus, is always a little heavier. So, while you're comparing gemstones, all you need to do is pick them up in your hand, and you can figure out which one is real!

Explore Melorra’s range of bestselling gemstone Jewellery, such as:

Always ask for the Gemstone Lab Report

While all these ways are easy and help quickly identify fake gemstones, a lab report is always preferable event o determine gemstone quality for purchase. Every stone goes through processes, even just polishing and cutting. And all of this is mentioned in the stone's report. Some gemstones that may look real can also be synthetic, depending on the treatments. So make sure you get the report and consult a gemologist.

So before you finalize a purchase, make sure all of your questions are answered, and more than that, do a little research of your own. You can learn all about gemstones from our jewellery education guide page and take the next step. And while you can always start with these simple methods, take the stone to a gemologist who can give you more insights into it!

*Check out our latest tips on caring for gemstones from the guide section.

FAQs on Indentifying Fake Gemstones

How can I tell if a gemstone is fake or real?

Identifying genuine gemstones involves assessing color, clarity, hardness, and refractive properties. Real gemstones typically exhibit a natural variation in color and imperfections, while fake ones might appear too perfect. You can explore our jewellery education guide to know all about jewellery and more.

Are there any quick at-home tests to spot fake gemstones?

Yes, there are a few basic tests you can try at home. The "scratch test" involves attempting to scratch the gemstone with an object of known hardness. A real gemstone will not scratch easily, while a fake one might. Additionally, the "water test" involves placing the gemstone in water – real gemstones remain clear, while some fakes might get cloudy due to their porous nature.

Do all fake gemstones look different from real ones?

Not necessarily. With technological advancements, some fake gemstones, like cubic zirconia or synthetic diamonds, can closely resemble real ones even to the trained eye. This is why more than just visual inspection is needed. Professional gemological tests can provide more accurate results.