How to Determine if a Sapphire is Real

Co-authored by Kennon Young

Last Updated: November 8, 2024 Fact Checked

Sapphires are typically thought of as blue but can also be red, yellow, orange, green or other colors in between. Natural sapphires are found in the ground or in the water. Synthetic sapphires are created in a lab. Look for flaws or inclusions in real sapphires, perform a breath test to judge authenticity, and get a sapphire certified. Look for air bubbles, try the scratch test, and shine a light through the gem to spot a fake sapphire. Always ask jewelers about the sapphires they are selling to find out what type of gem it is.

Comparison Chart

Real v. Fake Sapphire Comparison Chart

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Looking for Signs of a Real Sapphire

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1
Look for flaws and inclusions. Use a jeweler’s magnifying glass, at least 10x magnification, to inspect the sapphire closely. Natural sapphires form with tiny bits of other matter in them, so look for small specks and blemishes. These flaws are a good indication that a sapphire is real.^{[1]
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- Lab-created (fake) sapphires do not have inclusions of this nature, and some natural sapphires don’t have flaws either, but if you find flaws it is real.
Take your sapphire and breathe on it to fog it up. Count how long it takes for the fog to start fading and how long until the fog is totally gone. Natural gems should clear up in just one or two seconds, but created sapphires may take closer to five seconds to clear up.^{[2]
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Get your sapphire certified. Gemologists can examine a sapphire with refractometers and magnification Polaris scopes to determine what kind of gem it is.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kennon Young
Master Gemologist Appraiser

Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.} They will give you a report on what they decide about the sapphire once they have analyzed it. They can tell you if it is natural or synthetic, treated or not, as well as many other attributes.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source

Gemological Institute of America
Nonprofit institute responsible for gemological research and education and setting gemstone buying and selling standards

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- Once the gemologists have fully examined the gem, they will give you an official statement. If you have an old family sapphire that you are sure is natural and valuable, it is good to have it certified to ensure that you get the best value if you sell it.
- A certified sapphire will be easier to sell for a good price.
- Jewelers are not qualified to tell you if a sapphire is real or not.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kennon Young
  Master Gemologist Appraiser
  
  Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.}
Cut through the jargon. "The clear steps here for inspecting sapphires cut through all the jargon. The instructions on using a magnifying glass, breathing test, and getting certification gave me simple ways to analyze my gems. I appreciated the no-nonsense approach — now I can easily separate real from fake sapphires." - Angela S.

Verify precious family heirlooms. "My grandmother gave me her antique sapphire ring. I wasn't sure if the gem was natural or synthetic. Using the tips here, like shining a flashlight through it, I determined it was a real sapphire. This guide helped me verify that a precious family treasure is authentic." - Kristin S.

Ensure online purchases are real. "When my fiancé bought me a sapphire ring online, I was worried it might be fake. But after inspecting it for flaws and doing the breath test from this article, I confirmed it is a natural gem. Now I can relax knowing my engagement ring is the real deal, thanks to these steps." - Loren J.

Test gifts to confirm they are genuine. "My grandmother gifted me her sapphire ring, but I wanted to make sure the gem was real. This guide taught me to look for bubbles, do a scratch test, and shine light through the stone. After testing, I'm happy to say my grandmother's sapphire is absolutely genuine." - Ash E.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Spotting a Fake Sapphire

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1
Check the gem for air bubbles. Lab-created sapphires are essentially glass that is put through a process similar to the one that forms natural sapphires. Since they are glass, tiny air bubbles remain in them after they form. If you see any bubbles inside of the sapphire then it is not real.^{[6]
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- Be sure to turn the sapphire over and inspect it from every angle. It’s possible that air bubbles will only be visible from one angle.
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Use the scratch test. If you have two sapphires and you know for sure one is real, use it to scratch the second one. Gems of equal hardness can’t scratch each other, so if both are real sapphires then nothing will happen. If the real sapphire leaves a scratch on the second sapphire, then the second one is not real, or is at least of lower quality.^{[7]
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- This test can damage a synthetic sapphire, so be wary of ruining the inferior gem.
Turn the lights off in a room and shine a flashlight on the sapphire. If the sapphire is real, it will only reflect light that is the same color as the sapphire. If it is fake, meaning it is made of glass, it will reflect other colors besides the color of the gem.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Determining a Sapphire’s Quality

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Some natural sapphires are of such poor quality that they can’t be sold. One way that sellers make up for this is filling the sapphire with lead-glass which masks the poor quality of the sapphire. If you see criss-crossing lines, you may have a real sapphire but it is most likely of low quality.
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Ask the jeweler if the gem is natural. If you are considering buying a sapphire from a jeweler, you should always ask whether the gem is natural or synthetic. The FTC requires that jeweler’s disclose information about any gems that they sell.^{[8]
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Federal Trade Commission
Independent U.S. government agency focused on consumer protection

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- Don’t be afraid that you will sound critical or uninformed if you ask about a sapphire. It’s your money to spend and you want to know for sure what kind of product you are buying.
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Ask the jeweler if a natural sapphire has been treated. There are various treatments that are done to sapphires to enhance their color or clarity. While this may make the sapphire look better, you may feel it reduces the natural quality.^{[9]
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- Treatments are not permanent, so it is good to ask about treatments and how long they will last on the gem. Treatments can be removed to return the gem to its natural look.