| When you buy a diamond, how do you really | | | | quality look alikes, but a new method has been |
| know if it is real? | | | | developed that creates a diamond in the lab which |
| Of course, if you deal with a reputable jeweler | | | | is of such high quality that most jewelers will not |
| who has a reputation to uphold, your chances are | | | | be able to distinguish it from a natural diamond. |
| pretty good that you will get the real thing. But if | | | | These diamonds that will soon hit the market |
| you come across a deal from a relatively | | | | place will set you back about half the cost of the |
| unknown source and it seems too good to be | | | | same size of a natural diamond. |
| true - it just may be! | | | | So how do you tell the difference? |
| You might think a fake is a fake, but just like | | | | Since you need specialized equipment and training, |
| anything else there are different qualities of | | | | the average person cannot tell the difference |
| simulated diamonds. Some are very inexpensive | | | | between a real and simulated diamond, unless it is |
| and easy to spot. A cheap cubic zirconia ring in a | | | | of terrible quality. The best way to protect |
| plated setting will probably look nice for a while | | | | yourself when buying diamonds is to buy from |
| but will soon lose it's luster and any jewelry would | | | | someone you trust. The other thing is to educate |
| be able to tell right off the bat that it is not an | | | | yourself about the 4 C's of buying a diamond so |
| expensive gem. That's not to say that these are | | | | you will know what to look for when you do go |
| no good - on the contrary - you can buy a very | | | | shopping. |
| nice ring for around $20.00 and have it look | | | | These 4 C's - color, clarity, cut and carat weight |
| gorgeous to the causal observer. It might last a | | | | are what determine the value of the diamond. |
| year if you take care of it and that's not bad for | | | | You may pay less for a large diamond that does |
| the price! | | | | not have good clarity, cut or color then you will |
| Other simulated diamonds can be quite expensive. | | | | for a smaller diamond of better clarity, cut and |
| Some are very high quality and set in platinum or | | | | color but is it really worth it? The answer is |
| 14K rings. These will cost you, but not as much | | | | mostly a matter of personal preference but if |
| as a real diamond in the same setting. These rings | | | | you deal with a jewelry you can trust, he or she |
| will last a long time and are a good value if you | | | | can guide you as to the best value for the |
| want the look but don't want to spend the | | | | money whether you decide to buy a real or |
| money. Most jewelers can tell the difference | | | | simulated diamond. |
| between a real diamond and even these high | | | | |