How To Tell If a Diamond Is Real: What To Look For

Danny S.
July 27, 2023
5 min read

Do you want to understand how to recognize real diamonds if you're just starting out buying jewelry? Presented here are five distinctive cues that aid in distinguishing between a real diamond and an imitation. Grasping these vital signs will bestow upon you the self-assuredness and competence needed to make knowledgeable purchases and elude potential scams. Learn how to identify real diamonds from their phony counterparts by reading on!

What Makes a Diamond Real?

The authenticity of a diamond is marked by its origin as a natural gemstone, its carbon atoms shaped over countless millennia through intense heat and pressure within the Earth's crust. The unique geological voyage bestows upon diamonds their unmatched hardness and enduring structural characteristics. Authentic diamonds stand apart from imitation or synthetic counterparts due to distinct features such as brilliance, fire, and the ability to refract light. To tell apart a real and fake diamond, you need expert knowledge about its characteristics.

How To Tell If a Diamond Is Real

Diamond Certification:

One of the most reliable ways to determine the authenticity of a diamond is by checking for a diamond certification. Reputable gemological laboratories, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS), rigorously grade and certify diamonds based on their quality and characteristics. Through these certifications, one gains detailed knowledge about the diamond's cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. Possessing a valid certification from a reputable laboratory instills trust in the diamond's genuineness and caliber.

Diamond's Brilliance:

Real diamonds have exceptional brilliance due to their ability to refract light. As light enters a diamond, it undergoes complete internal reflection, producing the captivating luminosity recognized as brilliance. For examination, position the diamond in a well-lit setting and observe its response to light. If the diamond exhibits a high level of brilliance and reflects a spectrum of colors, it is likely genuine. However, keep in mind that other gemstones can also exhibit similar brilliance, so this test alone is not foolproof.

Diamond's Hardness:

As mentioned earlier, diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. They are skilled enough to easily scratch a variety of surfaces, including glass. You can perform a simple hardness test by gently rubbing the diamond against a smooth surface. If the diamond leaves a scratch, it is likely real. However, be cautious when conducting this test as it may damage the diamond if done too forcefully or on a delicate part of the stone.

Diamond's Refractivity:

Real diamonds have a high refractive index, which means they bend and reflect light in a distinct way. An approach to verify this is by examining the sparkle of the diamond. Turn the diamond upside down and place it on a piece of newspaper or text. If you can still read the text through the diamond, it is likely a fake. Real diamonds have such a high refractive index that they will distort or blur the text, making it difficult to read.

Diamond's Weight:

Another indicator of a real diamond is its weight. Diamonds are denser than most imitation stones, so they will feel heavier for their size. Nonetheless, relying solely on this particular test does not yield a complete understanding of a diamond's authenticity, considering the potential influence of external factors on the stone's weight. Employing this test in tandem with other methodologies is the recommended approach.

Do Synthetic Diamonds Pass The Diamond Test?

No, synthetic diamonds do not pass all the tests used to determine the authenticity of a real diamond. Although synthetic diamonds may exhibit identical physical and chemical attributes to natural diamonds, specific traits exist to differentiate them from their natural counterparts.

Tips To Test Real Diamonds At Home

Fog Test:

Hold the diamond in front of your mouth and breathe on it. The fog should disperse almost instantly. If the fog lingers or takes longer to disappear, it may indicate that the stone is not a real diamond. This is due to the fact that diamonds disperse heat quickly, preventing the fog from lingering on the surface.

Sink Test:

To conduct the sink test, fill a glass with water and gently drop the diamond into it. Real diamonds are dense, so they should sink to the bottom of the glass. If the diamond floats or stays suspended in the water, it is likely a fake. Keep in mind that some imitation stones may also sink, so this test should be used in combination with other methods.

Diamond Tester:

Another reliable method to determine the authenticity of a diamond is by using a diamond tester. Using electrical conductivity, these handheld devices determine if a stone is a true diamond or a simulant. Simply place the tester probe on the surface of the stone and wait for the results. Widely accessible, diamond testers present an advantageous and dependable tool for those new to purchasing jewelry.

Heat Test:

To conduct the heat test, you will need a pair of tweezers and a lighter or torch. Hold the tweezers with the diamond securely and pass the stone through the flame for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to directly touch the flame to the stone, as this can damage it. After heating the diamond, quickly drop it into a glass of cold water. Real diamonds are highly heat conductive, so they will disperse the heat quickly and remain cool to the touch. If the diamond is a fake, it may not conduct heat as well and may still feel warm or hot after being heated.

UV Light Test:

The UV light test involves using a blacklight or UV lamp to examine the diamond. Real diamonds usually emit a blue fluorescence under UV light, while most imitations do not. For this assessment, simply illuminate the diamond with a UV light and observe its fluorescence. Remember that not all diamonds exhibit fluorescence, so the absence of it does not necessarily imply the diamond is fraudulent. However, should the diamond exhibit a noticeable color fluorescence, such as green or yellow, it might suggest its potential lack of authenticity.

Conclusion

To bring this to a close, individuals who appreciate jewelry should familiarize themselves with the skill of distinguishing real diamonds. By knowing what distinguishes real diamonds from fakes, you may buy with confidence. Real diamonds can be distinguished from fake ones by their weight, brightness, hardness, refractivity, and certification. Practical home tests including the fog test, sink test, diamond tester, heat test, and UV light test can also verify a diamond's authenticity. With this knowledge, you may easily negotiate the diamond market and make sure that the brilliance and distinctiveness of your assets accurately reflect those of real jewels. Remember that while each test is important, using numerous procedures together is the best way to identify true diamonds. So, become an adept diamond detector and choose legitimate jewelry.

Final Thoughts

At 6 Ice, we are your go-to experts for all things jewelry. Our specialty lies in creating top-quality chains, bracelets, pendants, and much more. Whether you're looking for our unique in-house designs or custom-made pieces, we guarantee premium quality jewelry without the high price tag. Discover the perfect piece for you at 6 Ice.

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