How Can You Tell If A Diamond Is Real?

You've decided to propose to the woman of your dreams. You spent months looking, but at last, you discovered the ideal diamond ring. You want to make certain that you select the appropriate diamond, though, because it represents an investment in your relationship. Do you want to know how to spot a fake diamond? You can easily find out with just a few simple at-home tests.

In order to determine whether or not a stone is a diamond, the quickest and most accurate method is to invest in a diamond tester. If not, you could spend extra money on a more sophisticated tester that can detect a larger variety of imitation diamonds.

Assume you are unfamiliar with the structure and components of a diamond. It's possible to be fooled into thinking a different type of gemstone, like cubic zirconia or moissanite, is a diamond. Knowing how to identify a fake diamond is, thus, crucial.

Knowing whether or not a diamond is real is important since buying a diamond is an emotional investment. Is there a way to verify the authenticity of a diamond? It's natural to wonder about the legitimacy of a diamond's origins, whether you're looking to buy a ring or just want to check the quality of your collection.

Diamonds' "fake" counterparts are plentiful; sapphire, topaz, and zircon are all colourless gemstones that bear a striking resemblance to diamonds. Lab-grown gems such as yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG), cubic zirconia (CZ), and synthetic moissanite are difficult to distinguish from natural diamonds. You may now be wondering how you can tell the difference between a fake and a real diamond.

Doing your research is recommended by professionals. "The most common misunderstanding is that there is only one kind of 'fake.' Many stimulants and diamond alternatives are available today. Shop for Australia's best and most unique Lab Grown Rings.

Pro Tip: It's also helpful to know if the diamond has been certified by one of the three major gemological labs (GIA, AGS, or IGI). 

You want your stone to be durable, right? We advise you to see a trusted jeweller if you have any doubts about a diamond's authenticity. But if you're in a bind, don't worry; we've got five easy tests you can do at home to determine whether or not a diamond is real.

Here's How To Determine If A Diamond Is Real Or Fake

Water Test

Here's a simple one: Grab a glass and fill it up with water (any kind will do). The diamond should be placed in the water. A genuine diamond's high density causes it to sink if dropped into water. The diamond is not real if it stays at the top of the glass or in the middle. Just basic physics.

This easy test will reveal whether or not a diamond is genuine. Find a glass of suitable size, and fill it with water so that it is just shy of overflowing. Place the loose stone gently into the glass.

A genuine diamond will sink to the bottom of the container. It's not real if it can be floated either below or above the water's surface.

The water test can reveal whether or not your stone has the same high density as a genuine diamond.

Fog Test

To see if your diamond is genuine, hold it up to your mouth and, like such a mirror, fog it up with your breath. The stone is most likely phoney if the fog lasts more than a few seconds. Condensation won't stay on the surface of a real diamond, so it won't fog up easily.

The diamond or ring must be held between two fingers while a puff of air is blown across it to perform the fog test. The diamond will get somewhat misty as a result of the moisture and heat from your breath.

The diamond is real if the fog lifts immediately after being created. It's probably a hoax if the fog clears up after several seconds.

Because of their high thermal conductivity, diamonds are able to quickly dissipate heat.

Mount And Check Setting

When purchasing a diamond that is already mounted, it is important to inspect the setting and mount it.

Diamonds are so expensive that only the finest jewellery can afford to contain one. White gold, platinum, and yellow gold, as well as pave, side-stone, and halo settings, are all common places to find real diamonds in jewellery.

Examine the ring's interior for identifying marks to ensure the setting is exactly as described. For instance, the denomination and karat value of gold used is printed on banknotes. Platinum is indicated by the PT and Plat symbols. The numbers 585, 770, 900, and 950 on platinum and gold indicate their respective purity levels.

Cubic zirconia is not a diamond and can be identified by a "CZ" stamp or etching.

Try Heating The Stone To See If It Breaks.

Diamonds are composed of extremely durable material and will not react to intense heat.

To test this:

1. Get a glass and fill it with some ice water.
2. To hold the stone, you need to wear fireproof gloves or a pair of pliers.
3. Drop the heated stone into the ice water after heating it for about 40 seconds with a lighter.

The stone is not a genuine diamond if it can be easily broken. A genuine diamond will not react in any way.

This technique is used to evaluate the stone's durability and reliability. Weak materials, such as glass or cubic zirconia, will crack and break due to the rapid expansion and contraction of the heart. Consider a glass or Pyrex dish you may use in the kitchen. The sudden temperature shift could crack or break the dish if you take it straight from the oven into the dishwasher.

Diamonds are one of the world's toughest materials. Thus it will survive the high temperatures that would normally destroy other materials. The diamond will remain unaffected by the sudden temperature change since the heat will swiftly dissipate.

UV Light Test

Diamonds can also be tested by subjecting them to ultraviolet light and observing their response. Blue light is emitted by the majority of diamonds, but not all of them. Not all diamonds will emit a UV light when exposed to it. This means that the absence of a glow from the stone is not conclusive evidence that it is a fake diamond.

In order to get a conclusive result, you should have a diamond expert or jeweller examine the stone using their high-tech tools.

The Scratch Test

Did you know that a diamond, one of the world's strongest materials, can easily splinter a piece of glass? A diamond's authenticity could be established with the use of a test like the scratch test. You'll need a piece of plate glass and a loose diamond to perform the scratch test. Scratch the surface of the glass while it is resting on a table (or other suitable platforms) using your diamond. If the diamond scratches the glass, it is likely real. But you should be aware that the scratch test has the potential to damage your diamond. As other gemstones will also leave an imprint on the glass, this is not the best method for authenticating diamonds.

The Fire Test

If you want to know for sure if your diamond is real or fake, you can subject it to a heat test. Put the stove in cold water after lighting it for about 30 seconds with a lighter. If it's a genuine diamond, it won't be damaged at all, but a fake will shatter into a million pieces. This is because, unlike actual diamonds, which were produced under high heat and pressure billions of years ago, weaker materials cannot withstand the rate at which the materials expand and contract to owe to the heat of the fire.

The Transparency Test

You'll need a newspaper and a free diamond for this experiment. Put the pavilion side of the diamond down onto the newspaper article. It's likely that your diamond is fake if you can see the letter through it. Yet, if the writing appears hazy, it could be a sign that your diamond is genuine. Before proceeding with the test, please ensure that your diamond is spotless.

Black Light Test

A black light is required for this one. Turn down the lights and place the diamond in front of the black light to reveal its true identity. Under a black light, most diamonds will emit a blue fluorescence, so if you detect a moderate to an intense shade of blue, you may rest assured that the diamond is authentic. Seeing a greenish, yellowish, or greyish fluorescence instead of the characteristic blue is usually indicative of a fake diamond. Keep in mind, though, that not all genuine diamonds will show a blue fluorescence in this test and that it is not a 100% reliable indicator.

Under UV light, a diamond that has fluorescence will appear blue. But you should realise that only roughly a third of all diamonds will have this happen to them. Under black or UV light, however, a false diamond virtually never appears blue. If you want to discover the truth about your diamond, this is not the best test to use.

The Floating Test

If you want to quickly and easily determine whether or not your diamond is authentic, this is one of the best methods available. A loose diamond and a bowl of water are all that are required for the floating test. Because of its tremendous density, a genuine diamond will sink to the bottom of the glass. A fake diamond can be easily identified by its ability to float on the water's surface. Don't draw any firm conclusions from this test because not all fake diamonds float in water.

Test A Diamond At Home With Refractivity.

A diamond's capacity to disperse and refract light is what makes it sparkle. Light is reflected and refracted from the pavilions (the angled surfaces on the lower half of the diamond) to the table (the top, flat surface) and then to the naked eye. Diamonds are said to have brilliance when they do this well and shine brightly.

Diamonds have a unique ability to refract light, and other stones, such as Cubic Zirconia, do not. Their brilliance will be diminished, if not nonexistent.

Here are some ways to check a diamond's refractivity.

The 'Read-Through' Newspaper Effect

Place the flat side of the diamond onto a newspaper page in an area with a lot of lettering to check its refractivity. Make sure the diamond is well-lit and that nothing will cast a shadow on it.

The diamond is not real if you can make out the newspaper's words, even if they are a little fuzzy. The facets of a genuine diamond will cause light to scatter in several directions rather than just one. Due to the diamond's refraction of light, it will be difficult to read the paper through it.

Loose diamonds are the best candidates for the newspaper test. The fog test or a review by a diamond expert should be considered if the diamond is already set.

The Dot Test

The dot test can be used in place of a newspaper if necessary.

To achieve this, lay down a sheet of white paper and use a pen to make a dot in the centre. The flat side of the stone should be placed onto the dot. Look at the paper through the bottom of the diamond's point. The gemstone is phoney if it has a circular reflection inside. No reflection or visible dot indicates a genuine diamond.

A real diamond's exceptional refractive characteristics lead light to scatter in many directions rather than travel in a single one. Due to this, it is impossible to read anything, not even dots or letters, through a true diamond.

Sparkle Test

There is no special equipment needed for the sparkle test other than your own two eyes. Keep the diamond in question in the light of a standard lamp. See how the stone scatters the light. Do white flashes of light emerge from the diamond's surface? Do you also notice rainbows in the reflected light?

A diamond's brilliance comes from the fact that it reflects white light so well. Diamonds have a tremendous fire, or the ability to reflect many colours of light.

There is a striking contrast between the white and coloured light glitter of a real diamond and that of a fake diamond, like Cubic Zirconia.

Expert Techniques For Determining If A Diamond Is Real

There are a number of ways to determine if a diamond is real, but it's always best to get the opinion of a trained expert. A diamond's authenticity can be verified by a professional gemologist with a Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree.

Bringing your stone to a diamond expert will give you peace of mind, as they will use several tried-and-true methods and tools to verify the stone's authenticity.

Using A Loupe To Examine A Diamond

A diamond expert can examine jewellery and other precious stones with the help of a loupe. A specialist will examine the diamond under magnification to search for flaws. A synthetic diamond's construction could be flawless, while real diamonds always include minute flaws called inclusions.

Jewellers use loupes, miniature magnifying glasses, to inspect minute details. A loupe is similar to a magnifying glass, except that its lens frame is somewhat more conical, and it lacks an attached handle. When evaluating the quality and clarity of a diamond, most jewellers will use a loupe. Strange! If you don't have one,

After you have a loupe, use it to inspect the object for imperfections. Diamonds that come from mines typically have minute, natural flaws that prove their authenticity. Secondly, look for specks of minerals or variations in hue to determine whether there has been any damage. Subtle colour shifts and specks are indications that the diamond is genuine. (Remember that there are such things as perfect diamonds. It's not definitely a fake if there aren't any blemishes or faults, but it probably is a rare perfect diamond if there aren't any. Don't use this as the sole criterion, as real diamonds typically have flaws. Since lab-made diamonds are generated under sterile conditions, the resulting stones rarely exhibit flaws.

So, how do you know if a diamond is genuine? Get your stone's reaction time down with these at-home tests. They won't tell you for sure if your diamond is fake or not, but they'll give you a good notion. And remember, it never hurts to take something to a professional jeweller for examination if you have any doubts about whether or not it is a real diamond, especially if it fails one or more of the at-home tests. They will be able to tell you more specifics about your diamond and offer you confidence in its durability. (It also helps that they are specialists in identifying genuine diamonds.)

Use A Diamond Scale

You can have the diamond weighed at your local diamond jeweller if you don't have a diamond scale at home. A fake diamond of the same size and shape will have a heavier weight than a real diamond of the same size and form. This is because cubic zirconia (a synthetic substance) is around 55% heavier than a natural diamond. A diamond's weight can be verified if it has been certified or comes with a grading report. For this experiment, you'll need two identical stones of roughly the same size and shape (preferably the one you know is genuine).

How To Tell If A Diamond Is Real: Consult A Professional

You should take your stone to a skilled gemologist if you don't have time to complete any of the at-home diamond tests or if you don't trust yourself and want a second opinion.

Keep in mind that not every jeweller also has a background in gemology. They are mostly just salespeople who haven't gone through the rigorous training required to become qualified gemologists. Ask a jeweller whether they employ any gemologists or if they know of any good gemologists in the area who can advise you on diamonds. Here at Temple & Grace, we have expert gemologists on staff who can assist you at any time. Think of them as your personal tour guide as you explore our enormous collection of diamonds and coloured gemstones. They are knowledgeable about what carat weight and cut of diamond or gemstone will best fit your needs.

Conclusion

The most important things to remember are that diamonds are emotional investments and that cheap at-home tests can detect fakes. A diamond tester is the best and fastest way to identify a diamond. CZ, YAG, GGG, and synthetic moissanite look like diamonds. The common misconception is that "fake" has one definition. James Allen director of communications Shannon Delaney says a fake diamond would lack certain qualities that distinguish a real one. Five simple at-home tests can verify a diamond's authenticity.

The water and fog tests will reveal whether the stone is as dense as a diamond. Before buying a mounted diamond, check the setting. Only expensive jewellery can hold a diamond. The best way to spot a fake diamond is to look inside the ring. Pave, side-stone, and halo settings, as well as gold, platinum, and yellow gold karat values, are telltale signs. Diamonds can be tested in cold water and ultraviolet light because they are heat-resistant.

Most diamonds glow blue, but not all. Scratching a plate of glass with a loose diamond can verify a diamond's authenticity. Scratching glass verifies a diamond's authenticity. The heat test is another diamond authentication method. However, it could be more flawless.

Content Summary

• To determine whether or not a stone is a diamond, the quickest and most accurate method is to invest in a diamond tester.
• Assume you must familiarise yourself with a diamond's structure and components.
• Knowing how to identify a fake diamond is, thus, crucial.
• Knowing whether or not a diamond is real is important since buying a diamond is an emotional investment.
• The diamond should be placed in the water.
• Place the loose stone gently into the glass.
• The water test can reveal whether or not your stone has the same high density as a genuine diamond.
• To see if your diamond is genuine, hold it up to your mouth and, like a mirror, fog it with your breath.
• Examine the ring's interior for identifying marks to ensure the setting is exactly as described.
• This technique is used to evaluate the stone's durability and reliability.
• Not all diamonds will emit a UV light when exposed to it.
• A diamond's authenticity could be established using a test like the scratch test.
• You'll need a piece of plate glass and a loose diamond to perform the scratch test.
• Put the stove in cold water after lighting it for about 30 seconds with a lighter.
• Your diamond is likely fake if you can see the letter through it.
• Before proceeding with the test, please ensure that your diamond is spotless.
• Remember, though, that not all genuine diamonds will show a blue fluorescence in this test and that it is not a 100% reliable indicator.
• If you want to discover the truth about your diamond, there are better tests to use.
• A loose diamond and a water bowl are all required for the floating test.
• A fake diamond can be easily identified by its ability to float on the water's surface.
• A diamond's capacity to disperse and refract light makes it sparkle.
• Here are some ways to check a diamond's refractivity.
• Place the flat side of the diamond onto a newspaper page in an area with a lot of lettering to check its refractivity.
• Due to the diamond's refraction of light, it won't be easy to read the paper through it.
• Loose diamonds are the best candidates for the newspaper test.
• Look at the paper through the bottom of the diamond's point.
• Keep the diamond in question in the light of a standard lamp.
• Expert Techniques For Determining If A Diamond Is Real There are some ways to determine if a diamond is real, but it's always best to get the opinion of a trained expert.
• A professional gemologist can verify a diamond's authenticity with a Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree.
• Bringing your stone to a diamond expert will give you peace of mind, as they will use several tried-and-true methods and tools to verify the stone's authenticity.
• A diamond expert can examine jewellery and other precious stones with the help of a loupe.
• A specialist will examine the diamond under magnification to search for flaws.
• When evaluating the quality and clarity of a diamond, most jewellers will use a loupe.
• Subtle colour shifts and specks are indications that the diamond is genuine.
• (Remember that there are such things as perfect diamonds.
• It's not a fake if there aren't any blemishes or faults, but it is a rare perfect diamond if there aren't any.
• Get your stone's reaction time down with these at-home tests.
• They won't tell you if your diamond is fake, but they'll give you a good notion.
• And remember, it never hurts to take something to a professional jeweller for examination if you have any doubts about whether or not it is a real diamond, especially if it fails one or more of the at-home tests.
• You can have the diamond weighed at your local diamond jeweller if you still need to get a diamond scale at home.
• A fake diamond of the same size and shape will have a heavier weight than a real diamond of the same size and form.
• A diamond's weight can be verified if it has been certified or comes with a grading report.
• For this experiment, you'll need two identical stones of roughly the same size and shape (preferably the one you know is genuine).
• You should take your stone to a skilled gemologist if you don't have time to complete any of the at-home diamond tests or don't trust yourself and want a second opinion.
• Ask a jeweller whether they employ any gemologists or know of any good gemologists who can advise you on diamonds.
• They know what carat weight and cut of diamond or gemstone will best fit your needs.