The diamond is the world’s most valuable gemstone, a symbol of status and wealth. Not surprisingly, as demand for it grows, so does the number of fakes. Determining authenticity is a critical issue for both buyers and jewelry experts. In this article, you will learn how to check a diamond in a store, at home and in a professional laboratory.

We suggest starting with what is meant by a diamond. From a scientific point of view, a diamond is carbon in a crystalline form, capable of refracting and reflecting light, giving rise to brilliance and the play of all shades of the rainbow. A diamond becomes a diamond after cutting and polishing. A diamond’s characteristics are determined by four basic grading parameters known as the “four C’s”: carat weight, color, clarity and cut. Genuine gemstones are characterized by brilliance, hardness and rarity.

STONES THAT ARE OFTEN PASSED OFF AS DIAMONDS

The jewelry market today is overflowing with fakes that look almost like real diamonds. Here are examples of some of them:

Duplet

Behind the professional name is a pure gamble. A natural diamond of small size is glued with a cheap one, which is used as the base of the insert. Determine the substitution and recognize the fake will only be able to an experienced master with the help of special tests in laboratory conditions.

Fianite

Inexpensive artificial diamond. Its basis is made up of zirconium dioxide crystals, and it looks great. It is inferior to a real diamond in hardness, but has similar physical and optical properties. Fianites are extremely difficult to distinguish from genuine diamonds, especially at home.

Moissanite

A synthetic silicon carbide, moissanite is chemically so close to diamond that it sometimes deceives even special instruments and professional testers. The refraction of light can give away a fake: mouassanite is definitely brighter than the facets of a real diamond. So remember: if a stone shines too brightly, it is a reason for suspicion. However, the final verdict will be made in the laboratory.

Swarovski

The famous crystals are an analog of crystal. They look great and reflect light perfectly. They are distinguished from a real diamond by their characteristic cut, as well as physical structure and the play of internal flashes.

Leucosapphire

Artificial colorless sapphire is more in demand in the computer and laser industries. But it can also be attractive to underground jewelers. Leucosapphire has a bluish hue. Also, its hardness level is not up to diamond standards.

Quartz

One of nature’s most common minerals. It is convincing looking and is especially often used by scammers as a substitute for diamond.

Glass

Fraudsters primarily use borosilicate or quartz, which are highly durable.

Topaz

The most inexpensive natural analog of a genuine diamond. It looks attractive and is often sold at a very low cost.

HOW TO CHECK A DIAMOND FOR AUTHENTICITY IN A STORE?

The main rule is that when you buy a diamond in a store, you should definitely be given its certificate. Every genuine stone has a unique number and certain accompanying documentation. This is a prerequisite for protection against counterfeiting.

What else can you do right in the store?

Use a bright light. Hold the jewelry up to a window or other light source and look into it carefully. A natural diamond does not allow light to pass through, so you will only see a small, brightly glowing dot inside the gemstone.

Use a magnifying glass – a magnifying glass with at least 20x magnification. The natural structure of the diamond is imperfect, and you will be able to see certain flecks, specks…. The facets will look crystal clear.

Evaluate the thermal conductivity – clasp the jewelry in your fist for a few minutes. A real diamond will not accept your body heat. You can also use hot breath to test it – unlike a fake, a precious crystal will not sweat.

Examine the refractive index: get a magnifying glass again, but now try to read the letters through the diamond. If it is genuine, you will not be able to read anything because of the diamond facets.

HOW TO CHECK A DIAMOND AT HOME

If you need to recognize a fake or authenticate a precious crystal at home, do the following.

Examine the diamond by eye for flaws. A real diamond is usually characterized by clear and sharp edges without rounded corners, scuffs or chips. If the facets of the gem are rounded, it may indicate that you are looking at a fake. Use a magnifying glass. Under a magnifying glass, a real diamond may have small inclusions or dark spots. A perfect condition may look suspicious and may be due to artificial origin.

Appreciate the play of light. Real diamonds are characterized by their brilliance and ability to reflect light. If the brilliance is too bright and iridescent, you may have a fake in your hands.

Evaluate the thermal conductivity. To do this, squeeze the stone in your hand. If it stays cold for a long time, it means it is real.

Another way is a test with printed text: if you have a diamond in a setting, try to read the text through its bottom edge. If the diamond is real, the text will be illegible.

When it comes to gemstone appraisal, there’s no getting away from weighing. Compare the stone in terms of weight to its existing counterpart. A real diamond weighs less than a fake. For example, a fianite will be heavier.

Do a test with water. When immersed in water, the real stone remains visible. You can also detect duplets in water: the boundary between glued stones becomes visible.

There is an effective “vapor test”. On the smooth surface of a real diamond, evaporation disappears very quickly. If you breathe on the stone and notice that the evaporation persists, it may be a sign of a fake.

If the tests at home are not enough for you and you are still unsure about the authenticity of the diamond, contact a professional gemologist or jewelry lab. They can help you verify the authenticity of a gemstone or recognize a fake.

HOW JEWELERS DETERMINE THE AUTHENTICITY OF DIAMONDS

To reliably determine the authenticity of a diamond, it is best to contact a professional gemological laboratory. Here the precious stone will be studied using high-tech equipment. Following the results of the study, you will receive a certificate confirming its authenticity, quality and distinctive characteristics.

Here are the main indicators that allow you to determine in the laboratory the synthetic origin of the stone or significant differences in its chemical composition:

Electrical conductivity – allows you to determine the artificial origin with high accuracy.

Reflection coefficient – instantly identifies fake jewelry, but its accuracy is weaker in the presence of additional coatings applied to the crystal.

Mass (for uncut gemstones) – when measured in a special solution, it reveals differences between mineral types.

Stages of expertise in laboratory conditions:

Weighing a piece of jewelry or an individual stone to the nearest 0.0005 carat.

Determination of the material using instruments for measuring thermal conductivity.

Examination through an electron microscope.

Placing a sample in a spectrometer to record the results.

Evaluating the quality of the cut (compared to a standard).

Checking the color under different lighting conditions.

Fluorescence test using an ultraviolet long-wave lamp.

Control assessment of purity using a microscope.

Based on the actions performed, gemologists form a conclusion that will confirm or deny the authenticity of the diamond. This document also includes all physical parameters and definitions – from mass and dimensions to refractive index and other distinctive characteristics. The document has legal force and can be used to resolve disputes through the court.

Keep in mind: for detailed examination, the jewelry can be taken apart into its components.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN CHECKING A DIAMOND

Not all methods of testing diamonds for authenticity are safe. It is important to understand all possible risks in order not to damage the jewelry and not to destroy its investment value. Let us tell you about the most inappropriate methods of checking a stone at home.

Impact with heavy objects

Do not hit the stone or try to use it to cut the glass. The diamond may burst or crack from the impact.

Sandpaper

Do not use sandpaper to test a diamond. It may contain industrial diamonds that can damage the surface of the precious crystal.

Hydrochloric acid

Do not use hydrochloric acid. It is dangerous to both your health and the jewelry piece.

Heating at home

Do not heat the stone with a lighter or matches. This way you will only distinguish between some imitations and fakes.

When choosing a diamond, examine it carefully with a magnifying glass, conduct elementary tests for thermal conductivity and light reflection, and ask for a certificate. If you have doubts about authenticity, ask for a gemological examination. It is better to spend a little more time checking it in a laboratory and make a great investment than to buy a fake and regret the purchase for a long time.

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