How to Spot a Fake Diamond
The only way of being 100 percent sure of a diamond’s authenticity is to take it for examinations to an independent, professional diamond appraiser. However knowing a few of the basic tell-tale signs of fake diamonds can help you more easily weed out some of the lesser quality imitations that are out on the market. What is a fake diamond?The most common kind of imitation diamonds are ones made out of cubic zirconia, a material substantially heavier than diamond. Cubic zirconia has many of the same properties as real gems and is a lot cheaper. Crystal is another material used for imitation diamonds, and though it can look quite real, it is cheap and much less durable than diamonds. Moissanite is a very rare mineral that looks like a diamond but has very different properties. Because it’s so rare, though, it can sometimes be more expensive than a real diamond. Finally there are lab created diamonds, which aren’t technically “fake”, as they are made of the same molecular component as the diamonds that are dug up from the earth. The only difference is their origin, and also the fact that, often, expert San Diego jewelers can spot a lab created diamond by its lack of internal imperfections. Spotting fake diamondsKeep in mind that the word “fake” is applicable only if the product is being advertised as a diamond when in fact it is not. Here are some of the ways you can tell apart a real diamonds from fake ones. 1. The Four CsTaking the time to learn about the four quality characteristics of a diamond (color, cut, carat, and clarity) will make it easier to spot shoddier imitations. 2. Quality of the SettingDiamonds are expensive, so not many diamonds are set into cheap metals or with bad craftsmanship. If it’s loose, crooked or if the ring is poorly crafted, chances are that it’s not a real diamond.3. DamageDiamonds are not immune to surface damage despite being the hardest natural material on earth. However, if a gem seems too many scuffs, nicks and scratches, it’s probably not a real diamond. 4. Color ReflectionsA real diamond should sparkle with different shades of white and grey. If a stone gives off rainbow reflections, it’s a clear sign that it is not a real diamond.5. The Transparency TestTo conduct this test, turn a loose diamond upside down and place it on top of newspaper print. If you can read the print clearly through the stone, then it’s not a real diamond. Real diamonds have certain light dispersion properties that don’t allow for complete transparency.6. Fog TestExhale on a diamond so that it fogs up. If the diamond is real, the fog should disperse almost immediately, as diamonds disperse heat very rapidly. If it stays fogged a while, it is definitely a fake.
Ryan Frank is a 23 year writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA.
