Gary Whalen's Works of Gold

Tips from a Professional Jewelry Appraiser

on How to Spot a Real Gemstone

In most cases, the only reliable way to know a genuine gemstone is to have an extensive training as a jeweler or gemologist, or to have access to laboratory equipment to test the gem. However, these choices aren’t always too practical for a person, but knowing some tips and tricks could make your search for a real stone a lot easier. One of the best places to begin with is by studying a gemstone’s color spectrum and to look at the arc of colors it gives in light. Real stones show a rainbow effect which reflects onto walls and ceilings close by. Doing some research about the characteristics of the certain stone you’re looking for also helps, and getting a professional jewelry appraiser

to look at it is always an excellent idea. It’s also important to take time, and not to rush into buying a stone based solely on appearances.

Many genuine stones produce a spectrum of colors when exposed to light, especially sunlight. In order to see what colors a gem that you’re thinking of purchasing produces, hold it up to the light. By putting the stone to your eye and then tilting it, you should see various colors if it is genuine. A real one produces a rainbow of colors, gems which do not produce anything are usually fake. However, this test isn’t 100% definitive, and some stones, especially ones that have dense and deep coloring, or ones which haven’t been polished yet may not respond. This doesn’t, however, mean that they are not real. If a stone does not show bits of color, the best thing is to put it through other tests, preferably a test that is specific to the stone in hand.

There are several different stones, ranging from rubies, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and many more, and each comes with its own characteristics. Determining a real one from a synthetic one will take a deeper understanding of what the real thing should look like. It’s vital to pay close attention to both its physical attributes and geographic indicators.

Contact Gary Whalen's Works of Gold at (619) 697-2397 if you are looking for a reliable jewelry appraiser