Some time in your life you might come across jewelry or single stones, either as an heirloom, gift or by some other means, and you might wonder if those diamond-looking jewels are real! While there are many beautiful stones that look like diamonds, you'll still want to know if what you have in your possession is real or not. If your jewels are not in a setting, the process of determining their authenticity is easier because you can see the whole stone. Keep reading for some easy ways to tell if your diamond is real or fake!
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1. Sand Paper Test
A diamond is the hardest mineral on earth. The only thing that can cut a diamond is another diamond. If you suspect you have a fake on your hands, and you don't mind possibly ruining the stone, rub the stone with sand paper. A fake will scuff up no problem while a real diamond will not. Kind of a scary method, however!
2. Buoyancy Test
Diamonds are very dense. Place a diamond, without a setting, into a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom right away, it could be real. If it floats or hangs out in the middle of the glass, it's not real. However, some stones will also sink so pair this test with another!
Diamonds are one of the most treasured gems in the world due to their remarkable beauty and rarity. It is important to know how to tell if a diamond is real or not. One way to test if a diamond is real is to do a buoyancy test. Place the diamond, without a setting, into a glass of water. If the diamond sinks to the bottom, it is most likely real. If it floats or hangs in the middle of the glass, it is likely not real. However, some stones can also sink, so it is best to pair this test with another test to ensure accuracy. Other tests include checking for flaws, using a diamond tester, and inspecting the refractive index.
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3. Brilliance & Fire
Diamonds bend light in such a way that they sparkle grey and white within the diamond. This is called brilliance. It will also reflect rainbow light onto surfaces when held up to the light, called fire. If you look directly at your diamond and you see rainbow colors throughout, and not the grey and white brilliance, it's probably not real.
When it comes to diamonds, there are a few key factors that can help you determine if your diamond is real or fake. One of the most important is to look for the diamond's brilliance and fire. Brilliance refers to the way in which diamonds bend light, causing them to sparkle with grey and white tones. Fire is the reflection of rainbow light onto surfaces when the diamond is held up to the light. If you look directly at your diamond and see rainbow colors instead of the grey and white brilliance, it is likely not real. Additionally, you should also consider the weight, clarity, and cut of the diamond, as well as the certification from a reputable laboratory.
4. Newspaper Test
Because a diamond has a high refractive index, it bends light all over the place. If your stone isn't in a setting, try placing it over a page in a book or newspaper. You should not even see black letters through a real diamond!
5. Look for Imperfections
Most, if not all, natural diamonds have some flaws in them. Little spots of different colors and even the way it's cut won't be perfectly symmetrical. This is known as the clarity of the diamond. More expensive diamonds will have less flaws. So, if you do notice imperfections, you could have the real deal!
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6. The Fog Test
Real diamonds conduct heat extremely well- if you breathe onto a diamond and the fog from your breath disperses quickly, it could be real! Fake diamonds will retain heat for longer. It's best to use this method against a diamond you know is real. This test is also ideal for a stone within a setting.
7. Take It to an Appraiser
The only true way to determine if the jewels you have are real or not, is to take them to a diamond appraiser. A professional gemologist will quickly be able to determine their authenticity. Just make sure the gemologist is legitimate and accredited!
An appraiser will be able to tell the difference between real and fake diamonds by looking at the clarity, cut, color, and carat of the stone. They will also be able to tell if the diamond has been treated in any way. Furthermore, they will be able to tell you the approximate value of the diamond. It is important to make sure that the appraiser is a legitimate gemologist with a good reputation. It is also important to make sure that the appraiser is accredited by a recognized organization. Knowing the value of your diamond is essential to making sure you are getting a fair price when shopping for diamonds.
8. Use a Magnifying Glass
Hold the magnifying glass up and inspect the diamond through the glass. Check for imperfections. If it does have imperfections, it's real, and if not, it's most likely a fake.
When inspecting a diamond through a magnifying glass, look for tiny imperfections such as bubbles, feathers, and knots. If the diamond is real, it will have these natural blemishes. On the other hand, if the diamond appears to be flawless, it is most likely a fake. Additionally, real diamonds will have a slightly cloudy or milky appearance. Fake diamonds may appear to be very clear and shiny. Finally, real diamonds will be heavier than fake diamonds, so you can also test the weight of the diamond to determine if it is real or not.
9. Black Light Test
Turn off the lights and use a black light. Hold the diamond in front of the light, which should reveal blue florescence. A strong color of blue means the diamond is most likely authentic. If you see green, yellow, or gray, it means the diamond is not the real deal.
Diamonds are graded on the 4 C's: carat, cut, color, and clarity. Carat is the weight of the diamond, cut is the shape and style, color is the hue, and clarity is the lack of inclusions or blemishes. To determine if a diamond is real or fake, a black light test can be used. When exposed to a black light, a real diamond will emit a blue fluorescence, while a fake diamond will emit a green, yellow, or gray fluorescence. Additionally, if the diamond has been treated with a laser, it will appear as a tiny dot on the diamond when viewed under a microscope. It's important to be aware of these tests and to purchase diamonds from a reputable dealer.
10. Use a Loupe
A loupe is a small magnification device used by jewelers to examine small details up close. Loupes don't have handles attached and the frame is conical. You can purchase your own online. Examine for inclusions, slight color changes, and flecks, which would indicate that the diamond is real. Lab created diamonds are usually flawless, so if it doesn't have any imperfections, it's fake.
If you think you have a set of jewels that could be real, definitely go through this list of tests! If they happen to be in a setting, the setting should be a quality metal- that's also an easy indicator of a quality stone. But the best way to tell is having a professional evaluation!
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