How to Tell if a Stone Is a Sapphire

Worn by people since the time of Cleopatra, sapphires sparkle with color. Referred to in ancient Sanskrit text as shanipriya -- Saturn's favorite -- references to the precious stone also show up in Arabic texts and the Bible.



Unfortunately for today's sapphire fans, fake and copycats abound. While the only truly accurate way to determine a sapphire's authenticity is to get it tested by a gemologist, a close examination will offer clues to a stone's origin.

Instructions

1

Check the stone's color and reflection in sunlight. Sapphires come in many colors -- hues of blue, green and pink -- but a real stone reflects only its own color in sunlight.

2

Put the stone under a magnifying glass or a microscope to check unevenness, scarring, graininess or other flaws. Only fake and synthetic sapphires appear flawless under the lens.

3

Place it between your fingertips and twirl it, feeling it for smoothness. Fakes are smoother than real sapphires.

4

Hold the stone and a comparably sized piece of glass or plastic in the palm of your hand and touch the corner of your eyes -- this area is very sensitive to temperature -- with both objects. Real stones warm and cool slower than glass or plastic.

5

Take it to a certified gemologist or a gem lab to determine the authenticity of the sapphire for a fee. This is the only foolproof way to determine whether the stone is real sapphire.