How to Tell if a Diamond is Real: What You Need to Know
Diamonds are eternally popular — featured in engagement rings, tennis bracelets, and other classic pieces — but not every piece features authentic diamonds. A fake stone can, at first glance, mirror the appearance, shine, and sparkle of a genuine diamond, but with none of the quality and at a mere fraction of the value of a true diamond.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a professional jeweler to understand how to tell if a diamond is real or not. Here’s everything you need to know about real diamonds vs fake copycats and how to test the gem’s authenticity at home.
What You Will Learn
Real Diamond vs Fake Diamond vs Synthetic Diamond
Before we get into how to know if a diamond is real, it’s important to understand what fakes actually are and how they differ from synthetic diamonds.
What is a Synthetic Diamond?
A synthetic diamond is still a real diamond. While grown in a lab, synthetic diamonds are structurally the same as mined diamonds, with the same overall chemical and physical properties. Any test designed to tell you if a diamond is real will identify a lab-grown diamond as such.
There are many pros to buying lab-grown diamonds and many shoppers prefer synthetic diamonds because of their lower cost.
What is a Fake Diamond?
In contrast, “fake” diamonds are truly frauds. They possess none of the chemical or physical properties of a genuine diamond.
Fake diamonds are often actually:
- Cubic zirconia
- Moissanite
- Garnet
- Glass
How to Tell if Diamonds Are Real
Ready to learn how you can distinguish real diamonds from frauds? Check out these proven methods and learn how to tell if a diamond is real at home.
1. The Sparkle Test (and Other Visual Methods of Determining Diamond Authenticity)
If you want to know how to tell a real diamond by eye without using any extra household items, try the sparkle test. This test is exactly what it sounds like and is quite simple to do.
Look at your diamond under a bright light and observe how it reflects the light source. A genuine diamond will offer not just sparkle but brilliance.
Additionally, during your observation, look for inclusions or slight imperfections in the stone. Truly flawless diamonds are very rare, so it’s likely that your diamond includes a few minor imperfections (though sometimes these flaws can only be seen using special equipment, and the average individual won’t be able to see them even with a magnifying glass).
You can also check the diamond’s luster by holding it to a mirror. If the mirror clearly reflects the gem, it’s more likely to be real. If it does not clearly reflect the diamond, and there are dark spots, the stone may be fake.
2. The Water Test
The water test is another relatively simple option to distinguish between a fake diamond and a real diamond. However, it’s not a foolproof test, as it may be impacted by your jewelry’s other features, such as a ring band.
Fill a glass with water and drop the diamond inside. If it sinks, it’s real. If it floats, it’s definitely a fake diamond.
3. The Fog Test
Another straightforward method is the fog test. Blow a few hot breaths of air onto your stone (similar to how you might breathe on your glass lens before cleaning it). If the diamond quickly fogs over, it’s likely not real.
4. The Scratch Test
A real diamond is so sharp it can scratch glass or pretty much anything else it comes into contact with. As such, the diamond itself is less easily scratched on the surface.
If you’re not worried about potentially damaging a fake diamond, you can take a hard material and lightly scrape the top of the stone. If it’s possible to scratch the gem, it’s a fake.
5. The Black Light Test
If you have access to a black light or other type of UV light, you can likewise use it to test your diamond’s authenticity. While not always true, some diamonds will shine blue or a slight green under ultraviolet light. This phenomenon is known as diamond fluorescence.
6. The Dot Test
Note that this test only works if you have a loose diamond. If you do, take a piece of paper and draw a small dot in the center. Lay your diamond on the dot, flat-side down, covering it. Look down at the gem from directly above. If you can see the dot through the stone, the diamond is fake.
How a Professional Gemologist or Jeweler Identifies Natural Diamonds
Of course, the best assurance of your diamond’s authenticity will come from a professional with the right tools and techniques to test a real diamond without risking damage. Here are a few ways the pros test diamonds.
A Diamond Tester
While you can purchase a diamond tester online, it’s not something the average person will have on hand at any moment. So, how does a diamond tester work? A jeweler will press the end of the tester to individual loose diamonds, and the tester will measure the stone’s thermal conductivity. This heat test reveals how quickly the heat waves travel through the stone. A quicker travel time indicates greater thermal conductivity, meaning you likely have a real diamond on your hands.
A Microscope or Loupe
A professional might also use a microscope or loupe to examine a diamond closely. Using their knowledge of natural diamond makeup and characteristics, they can easily determine whether the gem is real or fake by examining it closely using one of these devices.
Testing if a Diamond is Real FAQs
Is It Possible to Know How to Tell if a Diamond Ring Is Real?
Yes, it is possible to learn how to tell if a diamond ring is real. While a professional can give the best guarantee of authenticity, the average person can test a diamond ring by using at-home tests such as the water test, fog test, scratch test, and more.
What Do Gemologists Test When Testing a Diamond?
Beyond testing whether or not a diamond is real, a professional will also test a diamond’s 4 Cs, which include carat weight, clarity, cut, and color, according to the diamond scale.
Can You Test a Diamond with Your Phone?
You can use your phone’s flashlight to test the diamond’s sparkle and brilliance.
Will a Cubic Zirconia Stone Pass a Diamond Test?
Not typically, especially if you’re using a professional diamond tester.
Will a Lab-Made Diamond Pass a Diamond Test?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds will pass every test a mined diamond will pass since they are made of genuine materials.
Are Your Diamonds Real? Protect Them!
If you’ve decided that your diamonds are real, ensure they’re adequately protected. Invest the time in getting a jewelry appraisal and then purchase the right jewelry insurance to cover them from theft, damage, or loss.
BriteCo offers affordable coverage for all types of jewelry, including diamond jewelry. Get your jewelry insurance quick quote today.
Also Check:
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How to Tell if Pearls Are Real
Pandora Ring Insurance: What It Covers & Why You Need It
Best Custom Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
Mohs Scale Meaning & How It Impacts Gemstones
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