Nobody ever wants to get ripped off, and the fake diamond market is one of the most lucrative in the world. But how to tell if a diamond is real or not? Whilst if you come and visit a reliable diamond jewellers you’ll be given a whole host of genuine diamonds to look at and admire, there are many shady diamond dealers out there who are just out to get your money. If you want some quick and easy ways to ensure that you always get the real deal, then read on!
Test No. 1:
Check for impurities.
Unlike the perfect, sparkling gems found in costume jewellery, real diamonds are rarely pure and often have small black spots, air bubbles or even tiny fractures inside the gem itself. Using a magnifying glass or loupe (ideally at a 10 times enlargement) can show you the exact state of your stone so you can gauge its purity. But do be careful if you’re not used to working with a loupe, as this test can be tricky for the inexperienced! Look out for any scratches. Real diamonds don’t scratch very easily, and so if you can’t find any impurities or you find scratches, then be warned. Flawless = fake.
Test No. 2:
Look at the facets.
Diamond facets are the surfaces of the diamond that can be polished - the surfaces that refract the light within the diamond. Easier than checking for impurities, this test involves using a magnifying glass or loupe again to see how sharp the edges of the gem are. Professional diamond cutters are highly regarded in the industry as they consider symmetry, length, depth and height of each facet. Because of this intricacy, you can tell if a diamond is fake when observing the facets, as its edges are not sharp, but round (on account of the fake being moulded rather than cut).
Test No. 3:
Watch for the rainbow.
A real diamond is capable of casting a rainbow onto any surface when it reflects light. Inside the stone itself you’ll be able to see grey and white tones, but outside the diamond you can see all the colours of the rainbow. The difference between a real diamond and a fake one is that a fake one usually shows rainbow colours within the stone itself too. Get yourself plenty of natural light, and go take a closer look.
Test No. 4:
Examine the overall piece.
Whilst one of the less accurate tests you can do, you’d be amazed at what a little common sense and close examination can tell you about the status of your diamond. Diamonds are expensive, which therefore stands to reason that the materials and craftsmanship used for them will also be good quality. If the metal that your diamond is set in is silver or gold plated, it is very likely that your diamond is fake; likewise if the setting is below par or the overall impression of the jewellery piece is ‘off’, then it’s also more than likely that you haven’t got the real deal. Genuine diamond workers want their work to be perfect. If your stone is set in white, yellow or rose gold, or else in platinum, then there’s a better chance that it’s real.
Test No. 5:
Take a deep breath.
A particularly quick and easy test to do, particularly for the bigger diamonds, is to breathe on your stone and try to fog it up. If your diamond clouds up, then unfortunately it’s a dud. A real diamond doesn’t retain the heat of your breath, and so will never fog over. Ideally try this trick with another stone that you know is a fake so that you can directly compare the two.
So there you have it! Five unique tricks to tell exactly how real your diamond really is. Unfortunately no matter how many of these tests you try at home, you can never be 100% sure. If you’re still uncertain or if you have any questions about the status of your stone, then get in touch with our Design Centre team today and get us to help you settle the matter!
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