Why does GemID say "possible match" instead of a definite answer?

GemID looks at the color, transparency, cut and visible features in your photos and suggests the gemstones they are most consistent with. Many stones look alike in photos (sapphire and spinel, or emerald and green glass), so we show up to three ranked possibilities rather than a single verdict.

What a photo can tell us

• Visible color, transparency and luster
• The cut and how the stone is set
• Some surface wear and visible inclusions

What a photo can't tell us

• Whether a stone is natural or lab-grown
• Heat or other treatments
• Where it was mined
• Its carat weight or value

Those questions need instruments and an in-person examination. A qualified gemologist or an accredited gem lab can answer them.