How to Know if a Diamond is Real – Tips and Tricks
Diamonds, one of the world’s most prized possessions, hold a dear place in our hearts. They are a symbol of love, commitment, and prestige- often a major investment for an individual. It is crucial to know how to spot a real diamond when making such an investment. But, how do you tell if a diamond is real or fake? Some knock-off diamonds are so similar to the real deal that it can be challenging to distinguish between the two. In this article, we’ll take you through different ways to identify a real diamond, as well as tips to spot a fake.
Start with the Basics
The best place to start your verification is by having a keen observation. There are five simple steps you can take to test a diamond’s authenticity quickly.
Firstly, Scratch test- A legitimate diamond cannot be scratched. To conduct a simple scratch test, use sandpaper or glass, and try scratching the diamond gently. If the diamond does not scratch, it is genuine.
Secondly, Look at the reflection- Legitimate diamonds have a unique reflecting quality, so if you see a double reflection or rainbow colors in the diamond, it’s likely to be a fake.
Thirdly, Check the fog test- Put the diamond in front of your breath and exhale. This fog test is to verify the hardness of the diamond, and if it’s authentic, the fog will disappear quickly.
Fourthly, Breathe on the diamond- This technique is another quick way to authenticate a diamond. When you breathe on the diamond, it makes steam, but if it disappears soon, the diamond is real.
Lastly, Utilize UV light, which can reveal fluorescent properties of diamonds. Although, this method requires some consultation with your jeweler.
Tips for identifying fake diamonds include analyzing the price, rarity and color of diamond, as the price of a real diamond is often on the higher side compared to a knockoff diamond, as well as fake diamonds having unrealistic ‘perfect’ colors or are too abundant.
Explore the Clarity and Cut of a Diamond
Diamond clarity is an essential aspect of a diamond’s authenticity. In diamond grading, clarity is all about the number, size, position, and color of any inclusions and blemishes. A professional uses multiple types of tools, from a microscope to loupe, like jewelers’ magnifying glass, or even 10times magnifying glass, to determine its authenticity. Most real diamonds have inclusions visible under these tools.
To tell real diamonds, it’s essential to understand the cut of a diamond. A good-quality diamond is symmetrical in structure, and its dimensions determine the brightness and fire of a diamond. More professionally cut stones tend to have greater brilliance. There are different shaped cuts which may affect the way you view the diamond, such as the round cut, princess cut, emerald cut, and cut-Cushion, so it’s essential to take all those factors into account when accessing the stone.
Investigate Diamond Weight
The actual weight of a diamond, measured in carats, is another essential way of determining its authenticity. A diamond’s density is close to that of the natural diamond, making it a quick test for their genuineness, as knockoff diamonds tend to weigh slightly more. Jewelers weigh diamonds regularly using specialized scales that measure the weight to a thousandth of a carat; however, there are methods to weigh them at home using everyday kitchen scales that measure in grams and ensuring they convert their units correctly using tools such as gemstone calculators.
Define the Characteristics of a Real Diamond
When assessing a diamond stone, it’s important to look for unique properties such as its hardness and durability. A real diamond is the hardest natural substance in the world, and nothing could scratch a diamond except diamond itself. Therefore, if you have a genuine diamond, it won’t get easily scratched, and it is exceptionally durable, showing no wear and tear even after years of use.
Another distinguishing property of diamonds is that they refract light in specific ways. For example, when put under light, a diamond will create a subtle sparkle that no other stone can replicate. This level of rarity should be considered when making a purchase. Additionally, diamonds radiate rainbow flashes if presented in the right manner.
Look at Diamond Fluorescence
Through illumination, it is possible to show fluorescence in real diamonds. Diamond fluorescence is when blue light appears under the UV illumination of a real diamond, making it a distinguishing feature of a real diamond. Not every diamond fluoresces under UV light, and it is subject to variations of the color, intensity, and distribution. However, if your diamond fluoresces too brightly or too dull, the chances are it a fake diamond.
Discuss a Jeweler’s Perspective
Expert jewelers have different techniques to determine if a diamond is fake or real. They can quickly detect artificial diamonds by placing the diamond under dazzle light. Natural diamonds shine in colors of the rainbow and sometimes show overwhite light, while artificial diamonds shine bright white light with no additional radiance. Additionally, Jewelers often do thermal conductivity testing, where genuine diamonds would disperse heat quickly, while fake diamonds tend to heat significantly slower, which could be detected by professional jeweler’s tools.
Provide Additional Methods
There are many other hidden clues that can help you determine the authenticity of a diamond, such as analyzing the pattern of the stone. Because no two diamonds are the same, examining the symmetry and consistency of the inclusions proves as a quick giveaway. Additionally, origin reports may provide additional information needed to identify a diamond’s authenticity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to know your stone in creating a valuable investment. There are many simple methods you can use to determine the authenticity of a diamond. From the weight and hardness to the unique features and refractive capabilities of a stone, there are many ways to test if a diamond is genuine. While some of these methods may require the help of a professional, many are feasible to use at home. The next time you go diamond shopping, take these tips and tricks with you to make sure your investment is worth it.
