Rubies from Walmart?

Alright, people.  How many times do I have to explain this to you regarding fake rubies. As reported on MSNBC.com today, Rubies from shady dealers are a no no.  It's soooo simple, my dog has already figured this one out.  Don't buy Rubies, Emeralds or Sapphires from the department store.  And this includes Macy's and Target.  Those two places are like evil step sisters.  These places sell fake or composite gemstones and will not last more than the glue that holds them together.  As shown in the above photos, soaking your purchases in a jewelers solution or wiping with alcohol to remove the oils transfered from your oily fingers will result in a stone like the one on the right.  Stones like these are created mainly in the far or near East like Thailand.  yes they do have Ruby particles in them but they are combined with glass or epoxy to produce what you see here.  Unless you take a jewelers loupe to Walmart and look like a complete dope, don't shop there for jewelry.  In one example cited in the MSNBC article, a woman purchased a ruby necklace and rings from a television jewelry show for $20,000.  Gee, which one could that be?  They turned out to be fake.  If you want pretty's, fine.  Don't pay a lot of money for them and be careful how you wash them.   Sterling Canyon does not deal in artificial stones and to be safe, will not sell Ruby, Sapphire or Emeralds.