Many colored stones look alike, and the difference can be a mineral species, a treatment or an origin, each with its own price. This page links every Carat Brief side-by-side guide.
Updated November 8, 2026.
Red Stones
Ruby vs. Sapphire: the same mineral, corundum, in different colors.
Spinel vs. Ruby: two species, long confused in royal collections.
Ruby vs. Garnet: how to tell them apart.
Green Stones
Colombian vs. Zambian Emerald: geology, inclusions and the public Gemfields prices.
Tsavorite vs. Emerald: garnet against beryl, treated against untreated.
Treatment and Labs
For each stone on its own, see Colored Gemstones A to Z. For prices, see the colored gemstone price guide.
FAQ
How can you tell two look-alike stones apart for sure? Color and inclusions give hints, but a refractometer reading or a lab report settles it.
Colored stones only make sense in context.
Auction results and the lab language behind the prices. Every Tuesday.
Carat Brief is editorial and is not investment advice.