The real diamond shines uniquely in different brilliance and fire, and it creates a colorful rainbow when illumined by light. Also, if the material is all dull or it has simply a single-color flash, then it is most likely to be a fake product. Through visual inspection of real diamonds, we mostly focus on-
When looking at natural diamonds in contrast to those grown in a lab, clarity and inclusions can go a long way. Clarity defines the extent and type of inclusion; the naturality of a diamond is affected by it. Natural diamonds may contain 'clarity' defects that are tiny imperfections formed over millions of years. Graded on a scale from flawless to included (visible to the naked eye), clarity is a key indicator of a diamond's quality.
Synthetic diamonds, produced in a controlled manner, contain fewer inclusions and garner higher clarity levels. Lab-grown diamonds come out clearer and more flawless due to the absence of as many slight defects as naturally mined diamonds.
As already mentioned, real diamonds reflect light uniquely. Its sharp and brilliant reflections create exceptional scintillation, which is known as Fire. A real diamond will reflect the light in such a way that it looks like a disco ball or a rainbow. On the other hand, if the stone in question is absorbing the light instead, then it might very well be a fake.
The lab-grown diamonds are also translucent in nature, and they also exhibit good reflection properties, but there may be minor differences in reflection behavior in terms of light patterns because of the process of their formation. Sophisticated manufacturing methods enhance their ability to reflect light; often, professionals can differentiate them from real diamonds. Cubic zirconia and glass could create an internal play of colors, which resembles a rainbow instead of real brilliance, hinting at imitation.
If you are doing a diamond test at home, here are some easy methods:
Here is a simple method of testing a diamond at your home. Pour enough water into an average drinking glass to make it about two-thirds full. Ease the loose diamond into the glass carefully. The trick is simple: if it is a real diamond, then it will be heavy and sink to the bottom of the water. And if it rises to the surface or floats just lightly on top of the water, it is most probably counterfeit.
Before performing the fog diamond test, place the diamond or ring in between two fingers and blow on it. A light fog will develop from the moisture and heat that your breath produces naturally. A way to test is, if the fog gets cleared then the diamond is natural. If it takes several seconds to clear, it is fake because authentic diamonds possess a natural ability to dissipate heat.
Another test for "how to tell if a diamond is real" is a scratch test! You need to scrape the diamond across the surface of a mirror. If the mirror is broken, the diamond is probably genuine. If the exterior surface of the stone is chipped or worn, there is a high likelihood that the piece is a replica. However, this test can be destructive to your mirror. Also, other materials such as cubic zirconia, moissanite, and other synthetic gems are also very hard and are not easily scratched.
Put the diamond under UV lamp light and look at the interaction. A majority of diamonds will give off a blue fluorescence, but not all will. Note that even though the stone doesn't glow, it does not mean it is an imitation. This isn't a conclusive test, but you may want to take your ring to a diamond specialist or a jeweler for a professional opinion.
How can I tell if a diamond is real? Well, you need to check the refractivity! To check the refractivity of the diamond, place it on a page of a newspaper or any printed material with many letters. Ensure that you are in good lighting with no shadowing. If you can read the letters through the diamond, it is fake." All facets of a real diamond will reflect light differently, and it will be impossible to read the letters clearly.
If a newspaper is not available, the best option is to take the dot test. Take a piece of white paper and make a small point with a pen. Next, place the diamond flat side down on it. Hold the diamond and look through the pointed end of it. If you observe a circular reflection within the gemstone, then it's a replica. It is impossible to see the dot if you have a real diamond, as the stronger refractivity of the material will not allow the dot to show through.
Place the diamond under a normal lamp and note how it reacts to the light. Real diamonds reflect white light brilliantly. You will see exceptional sparkle. The real one will also reflect colored light (fire) magnificently. Looking at a real diamond and a fake one, such as cubic zirconia, you will be able to distinguish a lot of differences in the reflection of light.
If the diamond is mounted in a ring, check the setting and mounting of the diamond. Real diamonds are usually mounted in well-cut jewelry like white gold, platinum, or yellow gold. Inspect the inside of the ring and look for symbols such as 10K, 14K, 18K for gold or PT, and Plat for platinum. Other numbers found on rings may include 585, 770, 900, and 950 with the representations of platinum or gold. A stamp "C. Z." indicates that the gemstone is made from cubic zirconia and not the real diamond at all. This is another trick for how to tell if a diamond is real.
Real diamonds, like any gems, require specific instruments and expertly trained personnel for evaluations. Although there are several different ways that you can use to test diamonds in the comfort of your home, it is wise to seek the services of a professional in the matter to avoid being misled. A professional gemologist with a GG (Graduate Gemologist) degree can conclusively confirm or deny the authenticity of the diamond, thus offering assurance that involves established techniques and instruments.
A loupe is an auxiliary vision-enhancing device that is similar to a magnifying glass and is used to provide the user with a close-up view of certain elements or other objects. Imperfections are always present in a real diamond, and the expert will point to them to prove that the diamond is not fake. The GIA certification may include a micro-laser inscription of the GIA report number on the girdle of the diamonds. These inscriptions are very small and can only be read when viewed under a 10x+ magnifying glass by experts.
Besides a loupe, a gemologist employs a thermal conductivity probe or thermal conductivity meter. This tool determines the heat transfer properties of the gemstone. Real diamonds have the quality of distributing heat at a fast rate; therefore, if the gemstone is distributing heat at a slow rate, then it is fake. So, if you are thinking how can I tell if a diamond is real, you can also get yourself a diamond tester from Amazon or eBay marketplaces.
Labs such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) also scientifically grade diamonds on the 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight and attach certificates to them.
The institution that deserves considerable attention is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which was founded in the 1930s and has traditionally been known as one of the pioneers of the newly developed diamond grading system. GIA is deemed the most accurate and consistent and is the world's leading authority on diamond grading, which offers confidence to anyone in the purchase of diamonds.
Another organization that was formed in the 1930s was the American Gem Society (AGS), which has a very accurate grading band of 0-10, where 0 is used to depict the highest quality while 10 stands for the lowest quality.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is an international diamond laboratory that mainly operates in Asia and Europe. While IGI is internationally accredited, it is not as popular as the GIA or AGS in the United States.
However, even with these certifications, there is always a danger when buying diamonds, especially from unknown dealers or unknown sources. Some counterfeit diamonds may come with falsified certificates, underscoring the importance of buying from trusted and recognized sources.
Real Diamonds are amongst the most valuable minerals, and finding yourself in possession of a fake one can be a disaster. The above steps may assist you in confirming the genuineness of diamonds. But if you have already paid for it and received a fake one, the dealer will not wait for you to return it.
Knowing how to tell if a diamond is real is crucial for a diamond owner. So, be smart and always buy the diamond from jewelers and gemologists who will not mind demonstrating the genuineness of the gem with their access to finely-tuned scales that can detect minute differences in weight.
For genuine diamond jewelry, consider exploring BOLD Precious Metals, a trusted online store known for quality and authenticity. From rings to earrings and from pendants to necklaces, BOLD offers a wide array of jewelry collections.
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