How Do You Tell Garnet From Ruby?
If you have an affinity for rubies, it may in your best interest to learn how to tell a ruby apart from a garnet, which is a similarly colored yet much less expensive stone. Most jewelers can be counted upon to be honest and provide you with a certificate of authenticity for your purchase. If you opt to purchase the gem online or from a private individual, however, you are more likely to fall victim to a scam. A ruby is a thing of value that can be passed down from generation to generation and is well worth the added time and effort to ensure that it is genuine. Examine the coloring of the stone. A genuine ruby will typically have a light red to medium red hue whereas a garnet will be darker and have a burgundy or mahogany coloring. In some cases, a ruby may also be mahogany, but it will always have a clarity that the dense, less refractive garnet will not possess. Check the cut of the stone. Rubies are most frequently found in exotic cuts such as a cushion or pear cut. The larger the
