| We began our search by entering "diamond | | | | crystal will reveal the print clearly. A |
| ratings" into the search box. The results led | | | | similar test uses a small light, such as the |
| us to online gift retailers, where we quickly | | | | one that comes with your key ring. If you |
| found a useful page on on the "4 C's" of | | | | shine the light through the stone and cannot |
| diamond evaluation: color, clarity, cut, and | | | | see it on the other side, but only a bright |
| carat. | | | | halo around the rim, it is more likely to be |
| | | | a true diamond. |
| From that document, we got the sense that the | | | | |
| most reputable ratings are performed by | | | | Diamonds are also very good at conducting |
| independent laboratories such as the | | | | heat. Breathe on the surface of the stone and |
| Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and | | | | immediately check to see if it has fogged up. |
| the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). We | | | | Again, quartz, glass, and cubic zirconium |
| returned to search engines and searched on | | | | will stay hazy for a moment before the |
| the names of these groups. We found both | | | | condensation dissipates, but you shouldn't be |
| listed under the Gemology - Organizations | | | | able to see any moisture on a true diamond. |
| category. | | | | However, one rock, called moissanite, will |
| | | | also pass this test, so the best way is to |
| A visit to the Gemological Institute of | | | | get a complete thermal conductivity |
| America site left us a little disappointed. | | | | evaluation performed by a jeweler. |
| They seemed to offer a great deal of | | | | |
| information on their course offerings, but | | | | Looking closely at the specks, ridges, and |
| little in the way of reference material. | | | | facets can also give you a clue into the |
| | | | identity of your gem. Diamonds do have |
| The EGL site was also underwhelming. Still, | | | | inclusions, tiny bits of other minerals that |
| if you find yourself coming across EGL or GIA | | | | got crushed into the diamond while it formed |
| reports in the course of your diamond | | | | deep under the earth. However, if the facets |
| hunting, it's probably a good idea to | | | | have worn or rounded edges, bubbles, or if |
| familiarize yourself with these | | | | the gem looks rippled or pitted, it is |
| organizations. | | | | probably glass. Those gems that are perfectly |
| | | | clear, with absolutely no inclusions, are |
| Ultimately unsatisfied with the results of | | | | probably quartz. |
| our search, we decided to browse more. | | | | |
| Happily, before long we found a nice site | | | | Finally, some common sense measures can |
| that offers information on the 5 C's (they | | | | prevent you from getting pressured to |
| added "cost"), diamond shapes, "How to Buy a | | | | purchase a gem that turns out to be something |
| Diamond," and "How to Read a Diamond | | | | other than a diamond. It shouldn't be |
| Certificate." | | | | ridiculously inexpensive, or you'll get what |
| | | | you pay for. It also will usually be mounted |
| The only people who can authenticate a real | | | | in an "open back" setting, which means that |
| diamond are certified gemologists | | | | you can see around the rear of the gem and |
| specializing in jewelry. However, if you are | | | | the back surface isn't coated with any |
| browsing rings at a flea market and want to | | | | silvery substance. Although it's true that |
| quickly assess whether a clear stone is | | | | diamonds are the hardest organic substance on |
| probably glass, cubic zirconium, quartz, or | | | | earth, the infamous test of scratching |
| leaded crystal, there are a few easy tests | | | | diamonds across glass or metal might just |
| you can apply without any special equipment. | | | | give you a damaged diamond. |
| These tests at least rule out recognizable | | | | |
| imposters because they rely on the way a real | | | | Even many gemologists cannot distinguish |
| diamond stone refracts light, conducts heat, | | | | "real" diamonds from cultured diamonds. |
| and looks up-close. | | | | Cultured diamonds have been artificially |
| | | | manmade in a laboratory, not mined from |
| If the gem in question is loose and | | | | mountains, yet they are chemically identical |
| unmounted, try placing it over printing. | | | | to those diamonds. Some companies are |
| Diamonds refract so much light that they will | | | | developing new kinds of identification |
| not work as a magnifying glass and you would | | | | methods for those who would like to purchase |
| see no lines, circles, or letters through | | | | a mined diamond or for those that prefer a |
| them. Other clear stones like glass or | | | | cultured one. |