How to Spot a Real Diamond?

Have you ever been suspicious that the natural loose diamonds you purchased were fake? Or thought whether your diamond ring, bracelets, or other jewelry was genuine? If the diamond comes with a certificate from the GIA or AGS, you can be confident that it is real. If the diamond was a gift and you don’t have the documentation, you are right to wonder.

Ready to find out whether your diamonds are real or fake? Here are some ways you can check the authenticity of your diamonds. 

Perform The Scratch Test:

Previously, the scratch test was the most widely used method to determine if the diamond was real or fake. Although more complex tests are now available, you may still use this method to test your diamond stone.

What You Need for Testing:

A simple, flat mirror is required for the scratch test.

How to Test: For those who don’t know how to detect if a diamond is genuine, simply take the gemstone or your diamond ring and scrape it against the mirror’s surface a few times.

What the results signify: If there are scratches on the stone or the mirror’s surface, it is a fake diamond. Otherwise, the diamond is genuine.

Caution: Materials such as cubic zirconia are as hard as diamonds. As a result, the scratch test may produce identical findings for diamond and cubic zirconia.

The UV Test

The most frequent way to tell if a diamond ring is genuine is to shine ultraviolet light through it, especially black light. The UV diamond test is not always conclusive, depending on the type of diamond. However, skilled gem dealers may use it to certify the authenticity of a real or fake diamond.

What you need:

A blacklight. 

How to Test: In a dark environment, flash a blacklight on your gemstone.

What the results show: If your gemstone emits a blue color under a black light, it will be real. But, if a diamond lights a different color, it will be fake. Some diamonds glow yellow. 

The Magnification Test

What you need:

A magnifying glass with a magnification of 10X or more. A diamond you know is real and a stone you doubt about.

How it works: First, examine the stone under a microscope. Then examine the actual diamond and compare the differences. Genuine diamonds will contain internal or external defects called inclusions. If the other stone is cubic zirconia or moissanite, there will be no internal faults and most likely no visible imperfections.

The Water Test

The water test is a quickfire test conducted in the house. This test is far from definitive, but it can help you identify phony diamond rings or jewels as soon as possible.

What You Need for Testing: You need a bowl of water. Make sure to separate the diamond gem from the metal framework.

How to Test: Fill the basin halfway, then put the gem in. Make sure the water is pure and free of other solvents.

What the results signify: Diamond is denser than water, hence any gemstone that does not sink is a phony diamond ring. Otherwise, the diamond is genuine.

The Fog Test

The fog test also depends on the diamond gem’s high heat conductivity. To determine whether or not a diamond is genuine, simply breathe on it and wait a few seconds.

What You Need for Testing:

You simply require air from your lungs.

How to Test: Clean the diamond ring or stone to remove all contaminants. Hold the stone up to your lips and blow. Monitor the time it takes for the ‘fog’ to dissipate.

What the results signify: Your diamond would be real if the fog clears within three seconds otherwise it is fake.

Key Takeaways

Testing diamond rings or natural loose diamonds for genuineness is a tedious process. However, if done correctly, you will be confident that your diamond is genuine. Use any of the ways listed above to determine if you have a fake or real diamond.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of distinguishing between authentic and fake diamond jewelry, we’ve got you covered. Antariksh Creations will help you through the buying and verification process to ensure you receive the most value for your money. Contact us immediately for consultations.