We just recieved a few lots of “natural ruby” from a regular supplier
of ours in Chanthaburi, Thailand that appear to be possible
synthetics. The color is garnety and very uniform, and there are
inclusions that look like gas bubbles under darkfield. So we’re
sending most of it back but we want to keep one small lot for testing
by a gem lab. It seems though that all the labs out there want to
sell some fancy gem portfolio with big color photos etc, but I just
want to know what the deal is with this strange looking stone. I
don’t care about fancy, just a natural/synthetic determination is all
I want. Does any lab do this for less than a hundred dollars? Since
we aren’t even going to sell this stuff I’d rather not pay for color
grading etc.
Professional Gem Sciences, one of the top labs in the world, run by
Tom and Miryam Tashey. Tom used to be head of GIA’s GTL, later a big
lab in LA, now runs his own operation in Chicago and Israel. Call or
check their website. Your ID, etc, sure won’t cost $100!
Company: Professional Gem Sciences, Inc
Contact: Tom Tashey
Address: 5 S. Wabash St. #1905 Chicago, Illinois USA, 60603
Phone: 1 (312) 920-1541
Fax:1 (312) 920-1547
Web Site: www.progem.com
You can call Tom and probably talk to him directly, feel free to use
my name.
We are very old friends but I make no money from his business or
referrals. he’s the best!
The AGTA lab in New York is the best lab in this country for gemstone
identification. Probably Gubelin is considered one of the best in the
world. But you’re asking for something that just doesn’t exist in a
good gem lab: a cheap report. Can’t happen anymore as the equipment
necessary is just too expensive. Most likely what you are looking at
is some very heavily heated/lead glass filled material that has
flooded the market recently. The head of the AGTA lab recently was
quoted in a trade magazine article about the Tucson show offerings as
saying that the question was if the material was ruby with glass
filling or glass with pieces of ruby in it.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
1780 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambrige, MA 02140
Thailand that appear to be possible synthetics. The color is
garnety and very uniform, and there are inclusions that look like
gas bubbles under darkfield.
If you see gas bubbles and supplier calls it natural, you probably
looking at “glass filled” treatment.
Douglas-- You might try a local American Gem Society store or
supplier that has either Gem Lab designation and/or a Certified
Gemologist on staff. Just ask a few questions about their background
and qualifications (and fees!)-- that should tell you if they are a
good fit for your needs.
We have that designation + the experience for basic gem separations
and are based in So. Cal. A verbal gem ident is normally ~ $25, while
a written gem ident report is $60 for the first item. Our fees are
based at $100 per hour.
Thai rubies (natural) are not seen too often in today’s market. They
often have rounded crystal inclusions and their color can be
“garnety” as you describe, especially compared to Burma goods.