| The simplest, most honest answer to the | | | | fast enough to clear the stone before you can |
| question of how to tell a real diamond from a | | | | look at it. But that is a mere hint, no more, and is |
| fake is "get a professional to test the diamond." | | | | far from fail proof. Composition stones, with a |
| That may seem brutal, or you may have heard | | | | base of one material and a table of diamond, will |
| that there are ways that clever people with | | | | "pass" the test while proving comparatively |
| jewelers' loupes can just take a peek and know | | | | valueless in terms of true worth. |
| which stones are real and which are fake, but the | | | | Again, the very best way to tell a fake from a |
| truth is that it is becoming harder and harder to | | | | real diamond is to allow a professional to provide |
| determine a "real" diamond even for trained | | | | a serious appraisal. That means you must choose |
| professionals, and it is dangerously difficult for | | | | your jewelers carefully, and then ask for |
| amateurs. | | | | documentation of each gem (each is individual and |
| That said there are some rules of thumb. If you | | | | documentation can go a long way to establish the |
| are purchasing a diamond in a setting, check the | | | | nature of your own stone). A professional |
| metal stamp within the band: 10k, 14k, 18k, Pl, and | | | | jeweler, working with reputable sources, will be |
| similar markings indicating precious metal increase | | | | reliable, helpful, and able to ensure you an |
| the odds of the stone mounted in the setting | | | | unquestionable grade of appraisal. |
| being real. | | | | With no insult intended towards chain jewelers, |
| If you have a jeweler's loupe or a high | | | | think very carefully before going to one for an |
| magnification hand magnifying glass, look at the | | | | appraisal. These businesses demonstrate both the |
| edges and girdle-band of the cut stone. Soft, | | | | strengths and the weaknesses of mass produced |
| rolled edges indicate a fake. So does a clear, | | | | manufacture and broad distribution. They are |
| waxy-smooth girdle where the facets meet and | | | | often run very well, by honest men and women |
| change direction around the "belly" of the stone. | | | | with equally honest support staff -- but few in |
| Likewise use the loupe to look into the stone for | | | | these stores are likely to have the in depth |
| flaws: minor flecks, inclusions, tiny fractures. | | | | training associated with higher grades of jewelry |
| These are the product of natural creation, and | | | | store, or with highly qualified assessment |
| are hard to mimic. Unfortunately natural diamonds | | | | businesses. |
| are also most valued when least flawed, and the | | | | To find these check the yellow pages or online |
| minor flaws that are commonly allowed through | | | | for advertisements offering appraisal services, |
| are not easily spotted by the amateur. | | | | and then take the time to learn the background, |
| Weight is a common indicator. Many materials | | | | licensing, and experience of the assessor. A |
| used for fakes are heavier or lighter than real | | | | licensed jeweler, a good journeyman in a |
| diamond: in particular cubic zirconium, the most | | | | traditional trade program, a former stone dealer -- |
| common fake diamond, is a bit heavier. If you | | | | these are good indicators of skill. |
| have a precision scale and samples of real | | | | If you are bringing in a stone, ask that it be |
| diamonds you can perform a comparison. | | | | tested in your presence (to avoid swapping by |
| Do not attempt scratching glass with your | | | | dishonest jewelers). If you are refused, turn and |
| diamond. Don't attempt acid tests that might be | | | | walk right back out. If buying a stone, ask for full |
| used on metals. Don't try smashing a diamond -- it | | | | documentation. And whatever you do, know that |
| will crush as well as any other crystalline | | | | the challenge of identifying real diamond has |
| substance and better than many. You can try | | | | become difficult enough to make even pros think |
| fogging the stone: a pure diamond shifts the heat | | | | twice and look three times. |