How a \’natural\’ ruby turned out to be glass-filled — and what we did to help.
By Precious Carats
The Buyer’s Experience
Ravi (name changed) had recently purchased a ruby online. The product images were striking — deep red, clear surface, and a confident shine. The seller had listed it as:
– Natural Ruby
– Certified by an independent lab
– Suitable for astrological use
Ravi felt assured. The certificate looked polished. The gem arrived quickly.
But when he wore it, something felt… off. Under different lighting, the stone looked slightly patchy. It lacked the inner glow he expected. And within a few weeks, faint lines and flash-like reflections began to show up inside the gem.
He reached out to Precious Carats — not with anger, but curiosity. He asked, \’Is it possible that this ruby isn’t what it claims to be?\’
What We Found?
We requested:
– A clear photo
– The certificate scan
– A 10-second video under natural light
The moment we zoomed into the video, the answer became visible:
– The gem had distinct internal bubbles — a classic sign of glass-filling
– Fracture lines had reflective surfaces — another giveaway
– The certificate, while real, did not mention treatment at all
We advised Ravi to send the stone for upgraded testing at IIGJ.
The lab report confirmed: glass-filled ruby, treated to enhance clarity and colour.
What Precious Carats Did?
We walked Ravi through the following:
– How to detect glass-filling in rubies
– The difference between \’natural\’ and \’natural + treated\’
– How certificate silence often signals missing testing, not purity
– Why glass-filled rubies are priced lower — but should be disclosed upfront
We showed him 3 rubies:
– A treated commercial-grade Burmese ruby
– A moderately included untreated Mozambique ruby
– A high-grade untreated Burmese ruby with certification
He chose an untreated 2.65 ct Mozambique ruby with clear inclusion mapping and strong internal glow. Verified by IIGJ and recorded on video from all angles.
The Takeaway
Sometimes, a gemstone looks perfect in a photo — because it’s been treated to appear that way.
Real gemstone value lies not in how it shines on a screen, but how it holds light, life, and truth under scrutiny.
At Precious Carats, we don’t chase illusions. We invite you to look closer — and understand what you’re really holding.
Have a gemstone or certificate you\’re unsure about? Send it to us. No pressure. No pitch. Just clarity.
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