How to Spot a Fake Diamond

Defining Fake Diamonds

There are many types of simulated diamonds available in today’s jewelry market, and while some people may refer to them as “fake” diamonds, they can be beautiful gems in their own right. Understanding the different types of diamond look-a-likes can help couples discover whether they truly want a natural diamond – formed from heat and pressure deep beneath the earth’s crust – or if an artificial stone is suitable.

• Cubic Zirconia: This is a common substitute for diamonds and has many of the same properties as real gems, though it is substantially heavier. Cubic zirconia is often more affordable than real diamonds, and can be found in a variety of stunning engagement ring designs.
• Moissanite: This rare mineral looks similar to diamond but has radically different chemical and physical properties. Due to the rarity of the mineral, however, moissanite engagement rings may be more expensive than many natural diamond rings.
• Lab Created Diamonds: These diamonds have identical physical and chemical properties to natural diamonds, but they are grown under carefully controlled laboratory conditions rather than mined from the earth. Apollo Diamonds and Gemesis are two companies that specialize in lab created gems, some of which can be purchased for use in beautiful jewelry. Because they are not natural, they are often more affordable options.
• Crystal: Faceted crystal can be lovely but it lacks the durability and beauty of a gemstone. Crystal rings may be amazingly cheap, but the lower quality makes them a poor investment.

The only true fake diamond is one that is dishonestly portrayed as diamond when it is, in fact, a different type of stone. By knowing how to check for a diamond’s authenticity, couples can protect themselves from unscrupulous individuals and find a gem they appreciate, whether it is a natural diamond or not.

Tips for How to Spot a Fake Diamond

There are several ways couples can examine gemstones to determine whether or not they are real diamonds. It should be noted, however, that the only way to guarantee a stone’s authenticity is to submit it for an independent, professional appraisal, but these tricks can keep couples from making most poor decisions.

• Understand Diamond Quality: Couples who know how to judge diamond quality by the four Cs – color, cut, carat, and clarity – are less likely to be fooled by false gems because they can immediately discern poor quality imitations.
• Work with Reputable Jewelers: A well-respected jeweler who can answer detailed questions is less likely to be involved with fake diamonds and shady deals.
• Check Setting Quality: Diamonds are expensive gems, and true diamonds are rarely set into inferior metals with poor security or placement. If an engagement ring’s setting is crooked, loose, or poorly crafted, the stone may be less valuable than advertised.

Fake diamonds sparkle with rainbows.

• Check for Damage: Diamonds are very durable gems, and while they are not impervious to surface damage, a stone that shows a lot of nicks, scuffs, scratches, or other damage is less likely to be a real diamond.
• Reflection Color: Because of the refraction index of diamond, the reflection and sparkles within the stone should be in shades of gray. Stones that have rainbow sparkles are most likely fakes.
• Transparency Test: If possible, couples should turn loose diamonds upside down over a newspaper or typed piece of paper – if the printing can be read through the stone, it does not have the proper light dispersion properties a real diamond possesses.
• Fog Test: Diamonds disperse heat rapidly and a light huff of breath on the stone should fog it up but that fog will vanish almost instantly. Fake diamonds may stay fogged for several seconds.
• Loupe Examinations: Use a jeweler’s loupe to examine the diamond closely. A real stone should have sharply defined facets with precise geometry, while fake stones may be less well crafted. On a real diamond, the stone’s thin girdle will also be faceted, and some designer diamond shapes such as the Hearts on Fire diamond will have identification numbers inscribed along the girdle.

Why Appraisals are Vital

While there are several easy tests for how to spot a fake diamond, the only guaranteed valid test is to submit the gem for a professional appraisal. To ensure unbiased results, couples should avoid using a jeweler’s in-house appraiser. An appraiser can do thermal, weight, and fluorescence tests on the gem to certify its composition and value, and will provide a certificate of the gem’s authenticity that can be valuable for insurance purposes.

When Fake is Fabulous

For some couples, choosing a fake diamond may be the best choice. Many fake diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from real stones to the untrained observer, but they can be far more affordable. Furthermore, if the stone is a fake it will be much easier to replace or repair if it is lost or damaged. While a fake diamond should never be passed off as a real one, it can be a suitable alternative for a frugal couple or a bride-to-be more interested in practicality than the prestige of having a “real” stone.

Understanding how to spot a fake diamond can keep couples from making a financial blunder while at the same time helping them realize that not all fake stones are worthless. A diamond engagement ring – real or fake – is only worth as much as the relationship it represents, and even the least expensive crystal ring can be priceless to the couple who shares it.