Whether your diamond is real: 11 reliable ways to determine the naturalness of a stone

Diamonds are famous for their beauty and uniqueness, which determines their high price. At the same time, it can be difficult to distinguish a genuine diamond from a fake or a low-quality stone, especially if you are not a jeweler. SSPDaily prepared a few hacks that aloow you to distinguish stone's authenticity.

Nevertheless, according to E Times, there are several surefire methods that allow even a beginner to make sure of its authenticity and high quality. Here's how to tell real diamonds from fakes.

Certification and documentation

The most reliable way to verify the authenticity of a diamond is to request a certificate from a recognized gemological laboratory. For example, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are reputable organizations that evaluate and certify diamonds according to the 4Cs system: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. A genuine diamond will definitely be evaluated by experts and documented in a certificate.

Using a loupe

A jeweler's loupe - a magnifying glass with 10x magnification - will help you examine the characteristics of a diamond. Look for small defects (inclusions) that are usually present in natural diamonds.

Refractive index test

Put the diamond on a piece of newspaper with text. A genuine diamond will refract the light in such a way that the text will not be visible through the stone due to its high refractive index.

Mist test

Breathe on the diamond as if it were a mirror. A genuine diamond will not retain moisture and will clear immediately. A fake stone can remain foggy for a longer time due to its low thermal conductivity.

Thermal conductivity

Diamonds are excellent conductors of heat. Hold a diamond and glass or cubic zirconia (a common diamond imitator) in your hand for a while. Touch them both with your lips. A real diamond will feel cold due to its thermal conductivity, while a fake stone will not.

Ultraviolet radiation test

Some diamonds emit blue fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. Although this test is not conclusive, it can provide additional information about the authenticity of the stone.

Water test

Drop the diamond into a glass of water. A genuine stone will immediately sink to the bottom due to its high density, while a fake will sink slowly.

Black light test

Under black light, real diamonds can show blue fluorescence. However, not all genuine stones react in this way, and the fluorescence may vary.

Brilliance and radiance

Diamonds have a unique brilliance and radiance due to their ability to reflect and refract light. Place the stone under a bright light and watch it diffuse it.

Setting and mounting

Genuine diamonds are usually set in precious metals such as platinum or gold. Pay attention to the setting and the craftsmanship of the product.

Too good a price to be true

If the price seems too low to be true, it most likely is. Diamonds have a certain market value, and "amazingly" low prices may indicate a fake or a stone of poor quality.