How to Tell if a Ruby is Real

Rubies can be the most valuable colored gemstone, based on price-per-carat.[1] However, there are a lot of fakes out there, and it can be hard to tell if a ruby is real. Ultimately, the surest way to tell is to take the stone to a licensed jeweler. At home, you can gauge the ruby's authenticity by looking at its color and its hardness. Use a 10-power magnifier, if possible, to inspect the ruby up close.



Comparison Chart
Real v. Fake Ruby Comparison Chart
Method
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Inspecting the Ruby at Home
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Tell by the color and the shine. Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost "stoplight" red. Fake gems are often dull: they are "light, but not bright." If the gem is more of a dark red, then it may be garnet instead of a ruby.[2] If it is a real ruby, however, know that darker stones are usually worth more than lighter stones.[3]
Check for a consistent and even color throughout the stone. Fakes are more likely to contain blemishes and impure spots. That said: rubies do sometimes have imperfections.
Use the "stoplight red" as a guide, but do not expect to find a real ruby that is actually that bright. If you do, then the ruby is likely fake. A real ruby should be more like a bright traffic light, however, than like a dull stone.[4]
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Compare the ruby stone to a shard of red glass. Rubies and other varieties of sapphire are often faked as glass. If the glass and stone look similar, then you may just be holding two pieces of red glass![5] It is relatively common for dealers to fake rubies using a glass composite.[6]
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Try to scratch the surface. Real rubies are extremely hard stones. Grind a fingernail or a coin into the surface of the "ruby" and see if you are able to scratch it. If the ruby shows a scratch, then there's a good chance that it is not a real ruby. Only a diamond can scratch a ruby.[7]
Composite rubies are not as durable as real rubies. There is a chance that the ruby is not a complete "fake," and just a machine-made stone.[8]