5 steps to know if a gemstone is actually real

All that glitters is not gold! Well, this could also be true for that gemstone you have been yearning to adorn for long. The shine, lustre, colour quality, and durability may lure you into buying that seemingly gorgeous, but possibly fake gemstone.

Gemstones are highly sought after in India due to their astrological benefits. It is true that gems can enhance the strength of planets, provided we select the correct stone.

The high demand in the market for precious stones has led to people being duped into buying fake gemstones that come in the same size, shape, and colour as that of a natural-mine stone. Thus, in order to avail the real benefits of gemstones, here is a list of things to keep in mind before you make that valuable purchase says Pankaj Khanna,Founder and Managing Director, Khanna Gems Private Limited.

DIY test to find out if the gemstone is natural or synthetic: A natural gemstone is the one that is not man-made or produced in laboratories. Every gemstone has its synthetic counterpart, which is widely sold in the market.

The synthetic gemstones are lustrous and shine better than the real gemstones. Customers find it difficult to identify the fake gems and end up by spending a fortune on them.

While it is beyond a layperson’s forte to spot the differences between the real and fake gems, there are certain DIY tests that can come handy. The first step is to check for any inclusion on the stone with the naked eye. If you’re unable to see any inclusions with your naked eyes, then use a magnifying glass of at least 10X magnification to find out if the gemstone contains any inclusions. Also look for any mark or chipping to find out if the gemstone has been removed from a ring or so. While transparent and flawless gemstones are hard to find, look for any cracks, scratches, and black spots inside the gemstone before you zero in on your purchase. You can also consult a qualified gemologist to find out if the gem is natural or not.

Real colour of the gem: After ascertaining the authenticity of the gemstone, the next step should be to check the colour of the gemstone. These days all the gemstones are treated to enhance its colour. The gemstone you intend to buy should have a vibrant colour and should be even and eye-pleasing. To determine if this is the case, look at it from under a magnifying lens to see if the stone has an unusual opacity and colour concentrations.

Credibility of a seller: Finding the right gemstone can be difficult. The first step is to find a credible seller, who can educate you about your gemstone and help you find the quality, cut, and type of gemstone for your needs.

This will help you make an informed buying decision. Even reputed jewellers can sometimes end up selling fake stones, so being very careful about your purchase even at the best jewellers is important.

Before any gemstone or diamond is sold, it has to be certified from a government laboratory. Consumers should be wary when buying gemstones and diamonds and not fall prey to advertising tactics like celebrity endorsements, offers, and discounts; the only way to be absolutely certain is to demand an appropriate government lab certificate, which clearly states the authenticity of the gemstone and any treatments it may have undergone.

Shape and design: While buying a gemstone, people are usually fastidious about the shape of the gemstone. Each cut and shape has different characteristics. When you buy a gemstone, look for the one that is well-cut without any marks on it. To gain the correct astrological results, the ring or pendant should be designed in manner that it touches the skin and the rays are allowed to pass through the gemstone to enter the body. Gemstones are worn for drawing additional energy from the respective planets. So, if a particular planet is weak, one should wear a gemstone in order to derive the required strength.

Pay as per transparency: Once the above points are finalized, you should now look for the transparency of the gemstone. The more transparent a gemstone the higher is its value. But beware, the transparency should be natural and not created by heating, glass-filling or metal filling in it. An enhancement made in gems, which is greatly prevalent today, makes the gem ineffective.