Knowing whether a diamond is genuine or not is a very tantalizing task indeed - do you want to know for sure? Many become professional jewelers just to unmask imitations. In any case, although the best solution is always to have the evaluation of a trusted jeweler, it is not necessary to be Sherlock Holmes to distinguish a real stone from a fake. All you need is the right lighting, some water (or steam) and a magnifying glass like the one they use in jewelry stores. In this article you will find more details and information about the wonderful world of diamonds.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Mounted Diamonds
Step 1. Use the breath test
Place the stone in front of your mouth and breathe on it as if you want to mist a mirror. If it gets fogged up for a few seconds, it's probably a fake. A real diamond dissipates heat instantly and shouldn't tarnish easily; the moment you look at it it will already be transparent, or if it is still a little tarnished, it will clear much sooner than a fake.
It may be helpful to use a genuine stone next to the one to be tested and to test both. In this way you will be able to observe how the fake tarnishes, while the real diamond remains shiny and transparent. If you do it several times in a row, you will see that more and more condensation will form in the fake, while the authentic stone will always remain clean
Step 2. Check the mount
A real diamond will not be mounted on a metal of little value. Numbers inside the frame indicating that it is real gold or platinum (10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 900, 950, PT, Plat) are a good sign, while a "C. Z." will indicate that the stone is not a real diamond. C. Z. it means that it is cubic zirconia which is a type of synthetic diamonds.
Step 3. Use a jeweler's magnifying glass to inspect the diamond
Mine diamonds usually have small imperfections or inclusions that can be spotted in this way. Look for traces of minerals, visible as specks, or subtle color variations. In these cases you will probably be dealing with a real diamond, even if it is imperfect.
- Cubic zirconia and man-made diamonds (which should pass all other tests) do not have these imperfections. This is because they are produced in sterile environments, unlike the natural process. A gem that is too perfect is almost always a fake.
- However, it is possible that a real diamond does not have any imperfections. Do not use this criterion as a determining factor for the authenticity of the stone. Use the other tests first to rule out fakes.
- Note that even a diamond created in the laboratory will normally not have any imperfections as it is created in carefully controlled environments. The quality of lab-created diamonds can be chemically, physically and visually identical (and sometimes even superior) to naturally formed diamonds. This ability to surpass the quality of "natural" diamonds has caused significant concern among entities trading in the purchase and sale of gemstones that are mined in nature and have gone to great lengths to have an official distinction between "laboratory created diamonds" and "natural diamonds". Synthetic diamonds are "real", but they are not "natural".
Part 2 of 5: Unmounted Diamonds
Step 1. Look through the stone
Diamonds have a high "refractive index" (ie they cause the light passing through them to tilt very much). Glass and quartz have lower refractive indices, and are therefore less bright, even when they are cut with a good technique (the refractive index is an intrinsic physical property of the material and therefore does not depend on the cut of the stone). By looking carefully at the refraction of the stone you should be able to understand if it is a fake or not. Here are some ways to do it:
- The newspaper method: turn the diamond upside down and put it on a sheet of newspaper. If you can read the text through the stone or even just see distorted black spots, it probably isn't a diamond - there are exceptions anyway; an out of proportion cut, for example, would allow you to see the print even through a real diamond.
- The point test: draw a small dot with a pen on a sheet of white paper. Place your unmounted diamond on the center of the dot. Look directly from above. If your stone is not a diamond, you will be able to see a circular reflection in the stone, otherwise you would not be able to see the point through the diamond.
Step 2. Observe the reflections
The reflections of a real diamond manifest themselves in many shades of gray. Look directly through the tip of the stone, if it has rainbow colored reflections, it is a low quality diamond or a fake.
- Instead, check the brilliance. A real diamond shines much more than a piece of glass or quartz of the same size. Bring a quartz or piece of glass with you to use as a reference.
- Don't confuse shine with reflections. The first depends on the intensity of the light that is refracted by the cut of the gem. Reflections, on the other hand, have to do with the color of the refracted light. So, pay attention to the intensity of the light instead of the color.
- There is a stone that is even brighter than diamond: Moissanite. This gemstone is so similar to diamond that even jewelers have a hard time distinguishing one from the other. To spot the differences without specific equipment, hold the stone close to the eye. With a luminous pen it illuminates the stone: if you see the colors of the rainbow, it is a double refractive index, which is a property of moissanite but not of diamond.
Step 3. Drop the stone into a glass of water and see if it reaches the bottom
A diamond will sink due to its high density. A fake, on the other hand, will float on the surface or remain suspended in the middle of the glass.
Step 4. Heat the stone and see if it breaks
Heat a "suspicious" stone with a lighter for 30 seconds, then drop it into a glass of cold water. The rapid expansion and contraction, stronger than the resistance of materials such as glass or quartz, will tear a fake stone into a thousand pieces. A genuine diamond is strong enough not to suffer any damage.
Part 3 of 5: Professional Tests
Step 1. Have the stone tested with a heat probe
The crystalline structure of the diamond allows the heat to be dispersed quickly. Consequently, it is not easy to heat a diamond. The heat probe test takes about thirty seconds and is often done free of charge by jewelers. Furthermore, it does not damage the stone as it happens with other methods of verification.
- The heat probe test is based on the same principle as the DIY "explosive" test. Instead of seeing if the stone splits under the pressure of the sudden contraction, the probe measures how long it holds its temperature.
- If you want your diamond professionally tested, do an online search to find a reputable jeweler in your area.
Step 2. Request a test to distinguish diamond from moissanite
Many jewelers have specific equipment to distinguish diamonds from moissanite and can quickly indicate whether a stone is genuine or a fake.
- A heat probe test will not be able to distinguish between diamond and moissanite. Make sure that the test is done with an electrical conductivity detector and not with a thermal probe.
- If you intend to test several diamonds at home, you can buy this type of tester online or in specialized stores.
Step 3. Perform a microscope test
Place the stone face down under a microscope. If you see an orange light only on the faces when you move the stone, it could be a cubic zircon. It could also indicate that cubic zircon was used to fill in the imperfections of the diamond.
For best results, use a 1200x magnification microscope
Step 4. Subject the diamond to precision weighing
Diamonds are distinguished by small differences in weight, since cubic zircons weigh about 55% more than diamonds of the same shape and size. For this type of comparison, a very accurate balance is required, capable of measuring up to the carat. or to wheat.
The only way to accurately carry out this test is to have a definitely authentic diamond of the same size and shape as the one to be tested. Without a term of comparison it is very difficult to determine if the weight is correct
Step 5. Place the stone under ultraviolet light
Many (but not all) diamonds exhibit blue fluorescence under black or ultraviolet light, so the presence of a medium or intense blue reflection confirms its authenticity. The absence of blue, however, does not indicate that you are dealing with a fake; may indicate a better quality diamond. If you notice a very faint yellow, green, or gray fluorescence under ultraviolet light, it could be Moissanite.
While the ultraviolet test may narrow down the possibilities, don't rely on this alone to distinguish a real diamond. Only some diamonds show blue fluorescence, while it is possible to "dop" some types of stones to have the same effect under ultraviolet light that they naturally would not have
Step 6. Have the diamond analyzed by X-rays
Real diamonds do not appear on x-rays, while glass, cubic zircon and crystals all have slightly radio opaque properties.
If you want to have your diamond X-ray tested, you will need to send it to a specialized laboratory for diamond testing, or X-ray imaging
Part 4 of 5: Distinguishing Diamonds from Other Stones
Step 1. Recognize synthetic diamonds
The synthetically created diamonds in the laboratory are "real", they are not classified as "natural". They are much cheaper than those extracted in nature, but are (usually) chemically identical to natural ones. Distinguishing between one and the other requires the use of very sophisticated machinery by an experienced professional. The analysis tends to be based on detecting the more uniform structures (almost perfect, without any imperfections) that synthetic stones usually possess in addition to the quantity and uniform distribution of distinctive traces of carbon-free elements contained in the diamond crystal. Synthetic diamonds are less valuable than natural ones due to the pressing campaign by major companies in this type of industry, aimed at suggesting that rough diamonds are better than those created in the laboratory simply because they are "natural" and not. artificial. If you have to resell your diamond, it is therefore important to determine if the stone is "natural" or artificial.
Step 2. Recognize moissanite
Diamond and moissanite are very similar to confuse. It is difficult to find differences between them; Although moissanite shines slightly more and produces double refraction, most people find it difficult to see. You can try to pass a light through the stone and, if the light breaks down into various colors, much more than in a real comparison diamond, you are dealing with moissanite.
Diamonds and moissanite have very similar thermal conductivity. If you only use a diamond tester, it will give a lot of false positives. A combination tester should be used to detect diamonds and moissanite, such as those used by professional jewelers
Step 3. Recognize the white topaz
White topaz is a stone that may appear similar to diamond to the untrained eye, but is much softer. The hardness of a mineral is determined by its ability to scratch and be scratched with other materials. A stone that can scratch other materials while remaining intact is hard (otherwise it will be soft). Genuine diamonds are one of the hardest minerals on the planet, so look for scratches in the facets of the stone you own. If they are present, it is likely a white topaz or other imitation.
Step 4. Recognize the white sapphire
Contrary to popular belief, sapphires aren't just blue. They are actually gems that come in any color. The white version of sapphire is often used as a substitute for diamond, even though these stones do not have the sharp and brilliant contrast between light and shadow areas like real diamonds. If you notice that your stone has a tarnished and ice-like appearance it is possible that it is a white sapphire.
Step 5. Recognize the cubic zircon
Cubic zircon is a synthetic stone that looks a lot like a diamond. The easiest way to discover a cubic zircon is by the color of the glows. Cubic zircon has a typical orange glow that makes it easily identifiable. Its artificial origin gives it a much "cleaner" appearance than a natural diamond, which often has some small imperfections.
- Cubic zirconia also exhibits a wider spectrum of colors than real diamonds when shining light on the stone. A true diamond should have predominantly color-toned reflections and glows, while cubic zircon has colorful glows.
- A well-known method to understand if a stone is a diamond is to scratch a glass with the stone itself. The widespread belief is that if the stone manages to scratch the glass while remaining intact, it is a diamond. Instead, be careful as some high-quality cubic zirconia have the same capacity. We cannot rely on this method alone to understand if a diamond is authentic.
Part 5 of 5: Certify Authenticity
Step 1. Find an accredited certification authority
Diamond sellers often have their own gemologists and certifiers, but many consumers prefer to seek certification from independent gemologists who specialize in diamond recognition. If you want to invest in a stone, or are curious about a stone you already own, you will need to make sure it is thoroughly verified.
- A certification requires two basic steps: first it is necessary to identify and evaluate the stone, and then to estimate its value. In selecting your independent certifier, it would be ideal if you find a qualified gemologist who is not directly involved in the stone trade. This will allow you to be sure that the opinion is actually scientific.
- When you bring the stone to someone for certification, make sure they are a qualified and reputable person in the community. Either way, it's a great idea to choose a jeweler who will perform the analysis in front of you, as opposed to one who doesn't show you anything.
Step 2. Ask the right questions
In addition to determining whether the stone is fake or not, a good certifier can answer a number of questions about the quality of the diamond to make sure they aren't scamming you. This is very important when you inherit a stone or have just purchased it. The gemologist should be able to tell you:
- Whether the stone is natural or man-made (note: a synthetic diamond is still a diamond, it just isn't classified as "natural". Go to the section on determining the authenticity of synthetic diamonds for more details)
- If the color has been altered
- Whether the stone has undergone temporary or permanent changes
- If the stone matches the documentation provided by the seller
Step 3. Request the Certificate of Assessment
Whichever test you have chosen to do, or have performed, the best and most reliable way to tell if a diamond is real is to check the documentation and speak to your gemologist or certifier. Certification assures you that the stone has been evaluated and deemed authentic by true experts. This is especially important if you decide to buy a diamond that you have not seen, for example on the internet. Always ask for the certificate.
The best way to check the authenticity of a diamond is to have it certified by a body such as the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA. If there is a location in your area, you can bring the diamond there directly, or you can have it removed from its context by an authorized jeweler and then shipped
Step 4. Look at the certificate carefully
Not all certificates are the same. The certificate should be issued by an authority (GIA, AGSL, LGP, PGGL) or an independent certifier who is affiliated with a professional organization, but no vendor.
- The certificates list a lot of information about the diamond, such as carat weight, measurements, proportions, clarity, color and cut.
-
Certificates can also provide information you wouldn't expect from the jeweler. These include:
- Fluorescence, or the tendency of the diamond to have a reflection when exposed to ultraviolet light.
- The finish, which includes the quality of the polish and the possible presence of imperfections
- The symmetry, or the degree of perfection with which the opposing facets are reflected.
Tell if a Diamond is Real Step 18 Step 5. Have your stone registered
When you are sure that your diamond is genuine, through an independent appraisal or evaluation laboratory, take your stone to a laboratory that can uniquely register and mark it. This will allow you to always be sure that no one has replaced the stone without your knowledge.
Just like humans, each diamond is unique. Recent technologies allow gemologists to quantify this uniqueness by producing a "fingerprint" of your gem. Registration usually costs less than € 100 and can be useful for insurance purposes. If a diamond that they have stolen from you ends up on some international list, you could recover it by showing the documentation that proves it belongs to you
Advice
- Enjoy your jewel. Is the authenticity of your diamond really important when you wear it? Knowing what stone it is is only important at the time of purchase or sale.
- If you decide to have your stone authenticated by an independent professional, make sure it never disappears from your sight, as it could be replaced with a fake.
Warnings
- There is no way to be 100% sure of the authenticity of a diamond except in the presence of a certificate. Buying a used stone or on an internet site always involves risks.
- Don't test a diamond by scratching it with something. If it's genuine, you won't scratch it, but you may break or chip it; it is true that diamonds are hard, but fragile. Also, if you don't scratch it, you can't be sure it's a diamond, because many imitations are very hard.
