How to Spot a Fake Diamond: 10 ways

So you want to know how to spot a real diamond. The best thing you can do is to see a label in jewelry store window of an AGS seal. The American Gem Society is suppose to be the seal of approval for gem dealers. As in any business though, cons live. In addition to seeing a AGS logo in a jewelers window, you can still use the tips in this article to help you decipher how to tell if a diamond is real if you are buying from a AGS member or not. There are even more ways to check then in this article, but the article is going to only cover 10 ways to spot a fake diamond in this article.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a conscious effect
• a friend as a witness

1. 
    

   As stated in a previous article I wrote about how to tell if a diamond is real, an electronic device called a diamond tester should be used as the focus point to have a stone in the ball park of maybe being a real diamond or not.

2. 
    

   How to know if a diamond is real could depend on a transparency test. The way to use this test is to flip the diamond upside down and keep it over the print in a newspaper. If when you look through the diamond you can read the newspaper, it is a fake diamond.

3. 
    

   Cubic zirconium, the great fake, is about 50% more in weight, shape and size. If you use a gram or carat scale, it could be easier to tell in deed if the stone is fake or not.

4. 
    

   Look at the stone from above and if you can see all the way to the bottom, it could be a real diamond also.

5. 
    

   To tell if a diamond is real or not could be confirmed by putting the stone in front of your mouth blow on it the way you would onto a mirror to fog a mirror. More than 4 seconds, if any fog: fake. A real diamond will not hold fog but a couple of seconds.

6. 
    

   To spot a fake diamond can be as simple as keeping in mind that a diamond that does not reflect various shades of grey but colors of a rainbow can be a low quality stone and or fake one.

7. 
    

   Fake diamonds tend to sparkle at the top while real diamonds reflect from all sides. You may see signs of dullness on the sides or when viewed from the side. If you do it is most likely fake.

8. 
    

   Now of course, checking the metal that diamonds are mounted on is a good way to know how to tell if a diamond is real too. Don't expect to find diamonds on copper or sterling silver. Gold and platinum is the choice for real diamonds.

9. 
    

   A very interesting and one of the easiest test is to hold the alleged diamond stone under UV light or black light. If the stone reflects blue fluorescence, you could have yourself a real diamond if you see a medium to strong blue color. The bad part is that this does not refer to all diamonds.

10. 
     

    Diamonds are a touchy stone to purchase. There are just so many man made diamonds and fake stones replacing the look of diamonds on all levels of quality and size. You would do good to research the different types of fake stones. Look through the links in the resource tab of this article and maybe any ad on this page that may help determining how to spot a fake diamond.

11. 
     

    Just being a reputable dealer or buying a diamond stone from one is not enough to decipher if a diamond is real or not. Even professionals have had difficulty determining if a stone is real or not. Yes, that's right jewelers themselves can be tricked. Still, it doesn't mean that you want to give empathy to a jeweler because he has sold you a fake. Sorry, but he or she may actually know.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a friend with you when looking at a diamond to help you make a decision using these tips and others.
• If you know someone who has purchased real quality diamonds, ask for a referral and or their advice.
• If you can not return the item and you did not invest a ton of money, it could be the stone is such a good replica that the average person couldn't tell anyway.
• chalk it up as a lost and be very careful the next time. That is if you want to go the route of trying to purchase diamonds again.
• If after you've purchased an item that you are still not sure about try this very effective and maybe only tip you'll actually need to satisfy your curiosity, confirm your suspicion or confirm if a piece is real or not. Take it to a pawn shop. The testers in pawn shops today are equipped to detect if a diamond is fake and even if it's Moissanite. Simply make a gesture if that you may want to pawn the item. They will have to test it before they give you a quote.

Resources

• Diamond Nexus Lab
• How to Spot a Fake Diamond
• Fake Diamonds

[jrockjams]

on 12/21/2009 Very well Written! 5*

[betterbody]

on 11/29/2009 Excellent tips I will try to use when purchasing diamonds. 5 *s and a recommend.

[tammyfrost]

on 11/29/2009 Great information. Thanks!

[kimarkent]

on 1/29/2009 Your title was so catchy I had to stop by!! Man, I bought the most gorgeous ring at a pawn shop in SC,,, for $2500,,, came home and was so nervous it might be a fake after all,, that I had it appraised,, geemontee,, it was worth $6500. It is gorgeous,,but i've been married 32 years, and it was about time for a new ring! 5* and recommendation

[Walkaboutangel]

on 1/29/2009 Interesting...

Angel