Do you have a piece of jewelry, but you don't know if the brilliant is a real diamond? To know how to recognize a fake diamond from a real diamond you should pay attention to keys such as color, cut, hardness, heat, or reflection. Below, in this Planderful post, we reveal some simple methods to distinguish a real diamond from a fake diamond.
Source: https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/simulant-diamonds-vs-lab-created-diamonds/?loc_option=jscode#
Diamond Characteristics
If there is one thing that characterizes a diamond, it is four key points, the 4C's: weight (carat), color, clarity (purity), and cut (cut). The price of diamonds varies according to their weight, color, and purity, which makes them the most valuable gemstone on the market.
Methods for recognizing a real diamond from a fake diamond
- Water test
The water test is the simplest and most common way to distinguish a real diamond from a fake. You simply have to fill a glass with water up to 3/4 of its capacity. Then introduce the stone into the glass slowly.
If the diamond sinks we have good news, it is real. On the contrary, if it floats or stays in the middle of the glass, it probably means that you have a fake diamond. This is mainly because real stones have a high density, so this test is usually quite reliable to determine if it is a real stone or a fake.
- Reading through the diamond
Another test that works best to determine if it is a real or fake diamond is to read through it. To do this we will place the stone on a piece of paper that is written on it and check if we can read it. If we are not able to see the text you will know that it is a fake. On the contrary, if you can read through the stone it means that it is a real diamond.
- The brilliance test
Another easy and simple test to distinguish a real diamond from a fake is its brilliance. To do this you will have to place the diamond under a lamp. Once you have placed the stone, you should carefully observe how the light reflects on the stone.
If you see an extraordinary sparkle reflected on the jewel, it is probably a real diamond. The sparkles provided by diamonds are of a grayish tone, which will guarantee you that it is a real jewel.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=BXnTA_1eJwM&ab_channel=CRMJewelers
- The vapor test
Another simple tip to find out if it is a real jewel or a fake is the vapor test. To do this, you simply exhale on the diamond. If no mist appears, the diamond is real.
On the other hand, if you notice that a vapor stain appears, it is probably a fake. This is because diamond is one of the strongest and most resistant raw materials on earth. Therefore, before an exhalation, the diamond remains crystalline and transparent.
- Ask a professional jeweler for advice
If after these tests you still do not feel confident enough that your jewel is real or fake you can ask us or any jeweler in your area, for that, you will have to bring the stone so that he can check with professional means what kind of stone it is and can even certify it or manage an international certificate.
There are several professional tests such as the microscope test, the weight test with a precision scale, or the test with a UV lamp that ensure the authenticity of diamonds.
- Certificate
When you buy diamond jewelry, the way that guarantees you 100% how to know if a diamond ring is real is through a Certificate from a Certification Laboratory that brings validity to the diamond. Some of the most common diamond certifying laboratories are the GIA, AGS, IGI, EGL, GSI, HRD, BGI, and IGE.
How to differentiate a diamond from a zirconia
Diamond is the hardest natural stone in nature, and thanks to its properties, it is also one of the most valuable. Zirconia, popularly known as zirconite, is a synthetic stone of artificial origin and its visual similarity to diamond is incredible.
They are so similar that it can be difficult to differentiate a diamond ring from a zirconia ring. To make this task easier, we recommend that you use one of these tricks:
- Scale test: zirconia will weigh twice as much as a diamond of the same size.
- White paper test: draw a dot with a pencil or black pen on white paper. Place the diamond centered on the dot and see if it is distinguishable or not. In the first case, it will be zirconia, while in the second case, it will be a genuine diamond.
- Lens test: the edges of zirconia are rounded and those of diamonds are pointed. In addition, with a magnifying glass, you will be able to observe if it has scratches on its surface because the diamond is so hard that it does not usually present anomalies, unlike the zirconia.
- Go to a professional jeweler: if you are unable to distinguish and recognize a diamond from zirconia despite using these tricks, a professional jeweler will certify and check whether it is a genuine piece or a zirconia. You can already test your diamond jewelry!
How to differentiate a diamond from a lab-created diamond
Laboratory diamonds, synthetic diamonds, or artificial diamonds, are created by humans. Consequently, they are cheaper and more ethical, as mining has a strong impact on the environment. Laboratory diamonds are created by various means of production and seek to offer the same beauty as real natural diamonds.
To differentiate a real diamond from a lab-created diamond is to look at the grading report. If an expert wants to determine whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown, he uses a magnifying glass to observe its imperfections. The imperfections of a natural diamond are different from those of a lab-grown diamond. Sometimes there are also slight differences in the way the diamond reflects light.
Source: https://www.withclarity.com/blogs/diamond/lab-diamonds-vs-real-diamonds
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