Quck answer
To determine if a diamond is real or fake, there are several tests you can perform. Firstly, you can use the breath test by fogging the diamond with your breath. If it clears up quickly, it is likely real. Secondly, you can use the water test by placing the diamond in a glass of water. A real diamond will sink, while a fake one will float. Additionally, you can use a magnifying glass to inspect the diamond for imperfections, as real diamonds often have small flaws. Lastly, you can consult a professional jeweler who can use specialized equipment to authenticate the diamond.
Some of our gemologist Wonder friends may already be aware of the various methods to distinguish real gold from fool’s gold, but do you have the knowledge to differentiate between real diamonds and fake diamonds?
Naturally, if you possess a specific diamond — or what you believe to be a diamond — and it’s crucial to determine its authenticity in order to assess its value, there is truly no substitute for taking it to a jeweler to be authenticated and appraised. However, there are some tests you can conduct by yourself to get an idea of whether the gem you’re dealing with is a genuine diamond or a counterfeit one.
Some of you might assume that this task should be easy. After all, diamonds are unique gemstones that are easily recognizable, right? Well, not so fast! Nowadays, there are numerous gemstones that are artificially produced to resemble diamonds. They are typically much cheaper and therefore provide competition for genuine diamonds in the jewelry market.
One of the most popular synthetic gemstones is known as CZ, which is short for cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. When synthesized in a laboratory or factory, the resulting gemstones are usually hard, flawless, and colorless. Their similarity to real diamonds has made them a popular and affordable alternative to sometimes expensive genuine diamonds.
Synthetic moissanite is a more recently developed artificial gemstone that can also imitate a genuine diamond. Fake diamonds have also been crafted out of simple glass.
So, how can you determine if you’re dealing with a real diamond? There are several tests and guidelines you can follow. For instance, one popular technique involves placing the gemstone over a newspaper or any other piece of printed text. If you can read the text or see clear indications of lines, circles, or even complete letters, chances are it’s a fake. Real diamonds refract light so thoroughly that you wouldn’t be able to see much at all.
Another guideline involves assessing the weight of the stone. Cubic zirconia will weigh about 50-100% more than a genuine diamond of similar size. However, if you’re not accustomed to weighing diamonds, this test might not be of much help.
If you have a magnifying glass or a microscope at your disposal, you can closely examine and compare the stones. If you search for scratches and scuffs, you’ll notice that a cubic zirconia, regardless of its age, will likely have at least a few small scratches and scuffs. These are highly unlikely to be found on real diamonds due to their greater hardness. Moreover, the edges of a genuine diamond will appear much sharper because its hardness allows for ultra-sharp cuts.
If you ask people how to differentiate between real and fake diamonds, you may hear about a couple of other tests that seem popular. However, be warned that these tests may not be very accurate with today’s synthetic gemstones.
For example, one old saying suggests that a real diamond can cut glass while a fake one cannot. While it’s true that diamonds are hard enough to cut glass, some synthetic gems can also scratch glass.
You might also be instructed to breathe on a precious stone in the same way you would breathe on a mirror to create fog. Because diamonds are excellent heat conductors, the fog from your breath should disappear almost instantly on a genuine diamond. However, synthetic moissanite can also pass this straightforward test.
If you truly wish to ensure the authenticity of a diamond without consulting a jeweler, you can buy a device called a diamond tester. These gadgets typically examine the thermal and electrical conductivity of a stone to confirm that it is indeed a genuine diamond.
Give It a Try
Did you find it interesting to learn more about valuable diamonds in today’s Wonder of the Day? We hope you will continue your learning journey by exploring one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Do you believe you could distinguish between a real diamond and a fake one? Test yourself! Go on a field trip with a friend or family member to a local jewelry store. Discuss with an expert what you have learned about diamonds so far. Ask them to challenge you by presenting both a real diamond and a fake one. Can you tell the difference? If so, perhaps you have a future as a jeweler!
- Go online and visit Diamond Ratings to gain more knowledge about how individual diamonds are rated based on four specific characteristics: clarity, cut, carat weight, and color. Which characteristics do you think should be the most important in determining the price of a specific diamond? Why?
- You probably already know that diamonds are extracted from underground, but how do they go from there to the jewelry store? Check out The Complete Story of How Diamonds are Mined online for…well…the complete story of how diamonds are mined! You will learn a great deal about the extraction, processing, and eventual cutting and preparation of diamonds for sale to consumers!
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