Differentiating between real and American diamonds is difficult, even for seasoned jewelers. For this reason, getting ripped off as you browse the market for a gem for that special person is possible. Many laboratories generate stones that pass natural diamonds to the naked eye. These include glass, quartz, Cubic Zirconium(CZ), and moissanite. Moissanite is complicated to tell apart because it is quite like a diamond in many properties. The following are some ways to know if you buy real or fake diamonds.
1. Ask for a Certificate: If a certificate of authenticity accompanies a piece, it is likely the real deal. You should review the certificate carefully to determine the credibility of the issuing authority. Various authorities and independent appraisers issue certificates. Ensure the certificate is issued by a reputable organization such as the American Society of Appraisers.
2. Fog Test: Breath on the stone’s surface with your mouth and see if it fogs up. Since diamonds are excellent conductors, the moisture clears up almost instantaneously. Other stones, such as quartz, glass, and zirconium, stay hazed for quite a few moments. Moissanite passes this test quite convincingly, so you may have to go further and perform a total thermal conductivity to differentiate it from a real diamond.
3. Examine the Facets: Diamonds can be cut more precisely than CZ and other simulates. Examining the edges between a real diamond's facets with a magnifying glass should be sharp and crispy. The lines on fake diamonds are usually rounded and have abrasions and dents.
4. Light Test: The shadow cast by a stone can also help you differentiate between a real and an American diamond. The shadows of real diamonds are usually grayish with no rainbows. If you shine a light through the stone, you should see a bright halo around the rim again with no rainbow. In the reflection or shadow, rainbows indicate that the stone is either fake or of poor quality.
5. See Through the Test: If you turn the stone upside down and place it on a print piece, you should not see any pattern through it if it is real since diamonds refract light. With American diamonds, you can see the print. If the diamond is not cut proportionately, it may allow some light to pass across it. Therefore, this test is not very reliable in telling natural diamonds.
6. Look for Impurities: During the natural formation process of diamonds, various minerals, and crystals are embedded in the diamond. These inclusions result in visible spots or flaws on the stone. Rather than being a sign of low quality, these flaws are a stamp of authenticity. American diamonds and enhanced diamonds usually do not have these imperfections.
7. Weigh your Gems: Using a precision scale, you can weigh your stones to bust the fake. For example, Cubic zirconia weighs more than 50% heavier than authentic diamonds of the same size and shape.
8. Consult a Jeweler: If you are still not decided, further tests such as ultraviolet tests, X-ray, and heat and electricity conductivity tests could help. These require complicated equipment that may not be readily available to you. It may help to exploit the expertise and resources of your local jeweler. With some luck and charm, you may not have to part with a dime for his services.