The Gem and Jewelery Institute of Thailand (GIT-GTL) posted a Lab note on 7 February 2019 regarding a rough stone claimed to be a natural ruby. It showed orange substances filled in cavities and on the surface resembling the typical iron stain occurring rough material. After analyzing inclusions, chemical composition, and IR spectrum it proved to be synthetic ruby.
GIT’s post warns gemologists about the misleading appearance of rough gemstones because the orange substance that look-alike natural stain might lead to the wrong conclusion that the material is natural. In March 2016 GIT published an Update informing about a fake specimen of ruby embedded in marble, a collectors’ favorite item. It seems that the alarm must be shifted from cut gemstones to intentionally manipulated raw material.
Gem News published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review #6 – Spring 2019
