5 Tips on How to Tell If a Diamond Is Real!

When it comes to diamonds, there's nothing quite like the real thing. But unfortunately, there are many fake diamonds out there that can fool even the most experienced eye. That's why it's important to know how to spot a fake diamond so you don't end up with a piece of worthless jewelry.

One of the easiest ways to tell whether a diamond is real or fake is by looking at it under a loupe. A loupe is a magnifying device that lets you inspect the diamond up close. Look for imperfections such as blemishes, scratches, and inclusions. A diamond is a natural stone and it's impossible to find one that's completely free from imperfections. If you cannot visibly detect any imperfections, unfortunately the diamond you're looking at is most probably a fake.

Inspect the edges of the diamond. When viewed under this level of magnification, a genuine diamond will have sharp edges, whereas the edges of a fake diamond will appear rounded. The mounting and etchings can also be telling signs of a diamond's authenticity. Chances are if your diamond is real, it will be mounted in high-quality metals like gold or platinum. Be wary of diamonds that are set with low-quality metals like silver or copper.

Another test you can try is the sandpaper test. Diamonds are one of the toughest materials on the planet, so rubbing sandpaper against them won't cause any damage. On the other hand, fake diamonds will appear scuffed and scratched. This is because fake diamonds are often made of materials that are much softer than real diamonds, like glass or quartz.

You can also take a deep breath and exhale onto the diamond. Real and fake diamonds will both fog up, but the difference is that real diamonds will clear up in 1-2 seconds, while fake diamonds will stay fogged for 3-4 seconds.

The way diamonds reflect light is another way to determine their authenticity. Real diamonds produce a gray and white sparkle, while fake diamonds produce a multi-colored sparkle. You can also test this by placing the diamond over a newspaper and observing how it refracts light. Diamonds refract light, so a real diamond will have a high refractive index, while a fake diamond will refract light poorly. Place the diamond over a newspaper and see if you can read the print through it. The light will refract, and you won't be able to read the print clearly if it's a real diamond, whereas a fake diamond will allow you to read the print without a struggle.

If these tests indicate that your diamond is likely fake, don't worry! Your diamond may still be valuable and not just a piece of worthless jewelry. It could be a cubic zirconia, white sapphire, moissanite, white topaz, or even a synthetic diamond.

Cubic zirconia, also known as cubic zirconia, is a synthesized crystal that can be any color, including white. It's quite hard but is known to scratch easily. It's also very cheap to purchase and has a next to worthless resale value. White sapphires are typically blue and occasionally red, black or pink. Even more rarely, a sapphire can be white. Sapphires are the second hardest gemstone and are extremely valuable, so you may want to hold onto your white sapphire. Moissanite is a dazzling stone and the moissanite mineral in its raw form is incredibly rare. The main difference between diamonds and moissanite is the type of sparkle produced. Moissanite will produce a rainbow sparkle, while a diamond will produce a typical sparkle of white and gray. White topaz is a semi-precious gemstone but is softer and more prone to scratching than a diamond. It can sometimes be confused for a diamond when it's colorless or white. Lastly, a synthetic diamond is a diamond that has been grown in a laboratory environment. It looks, feels, and features the typical chemical characteristics of a real diamond. While technically classed as a diamond, a synthetic diamond can be up to 30% less valuable than a natural one.

If these tests still leave you unsure about your diamond, take it to a qualified gemologist for examination and inspection. They will be able to tell you definitively whether your diamond is real or fake. It's always recommended to confirm the authenticity of a diamond before purchasing or inheriting it. When you inherit a diamond, it's important to confirm that it's real in order to properly care for it and insure it. If you're planning on purchasing a diamond, be sure to insist on seeing its certification before paying the price of a real diamond and ending up with a fake.

All in all, it's essential to know how to spot a fake diamond in order to avoid getting ripped off. The tips mentioned above are easy and can be done at home with just a few tools. If you suspect that your diamond is fake, don't worry, it may still be valuable and not just a piece of worthless jewelry. It could be one of the alternative stones mentioned above. Be sure to take it to a qualified gemologist for examination and inspection to confirm its authenticity.