Jadeite and ruby identifying

[Teak]

If attempting to purchase a piece of jadeite or ruby for a ring, obtain some methylene iodide, which has almost the same specific gravity as jadeite 3.34 and so a ring stone will be suspended half way down and not sink or float. It also has a similar refractive index of 1.741 so a ruby 1.76 should become almost invisible in methylene iodide. However it is a very toxic chemical. This only helps to zero in on a true stone without much experience. Quality is something quite different.

Jadeite is one of the hardest stones to sell as the market is with the Chinese and wrapped up in myth and magic. Generally they do not like to buy jadeite from White folk. Apparently we 'taint' the magic.