Introduction
Diamonds are one of the most precious gemstones in the world. They have been treasured since ancient times, and remain popular today because of their beauty and durability. But when buying a diamond, it’s important to know whether it’s real or not. Knowing how to tell if a diamond is real will help you make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
How to Tell if a Diamond is Real
There are several tests you can use to determine if a diamond is real. Here are six methods you can use to identify a real diamond from a fake one.
Examine the diamond’s sparkle and fire
The first thing you should do is examine the diamond’s sparkle and fire. Real diamonds refract light into a rainbow of colors, while fake diamonds don’t have the same sparkle and fire. To test this, hold the diamond up to direct light and look for rainbow colors. If you don’t see any, the diamond may be fake.
Check for inclusions or blemishes with a magnifying glass
Inclusions or blemishes are imperfections found inside a diamond. While real diamonds usually contain some inclusions, fake diamonds rarely have any. To check for these, you’ll need to use a magnifying glass. Look closely at the diamond through the magnifying glass and see if there are any imperfections. If you can’t find any, the diamond may be fake.
Look for a stamp of certification on the diamond
Many real diamonds come with a stamp of certification from a reputable laboratory. The stamp will typically be inscribed on the diamond itself, but it may also be on the band or setting. If you can’t find a stamp, the diamond may be fake.
Test the stone’s thermal conductivity
Real diamonds conduct heat better than fake diamonds. To test this, you’ll need to touch the diamond with a hot object and then a cold object. If the diamond warms up quickly and cools down quickly, it’s likely a real diamond. If it takes a long time to warm up and cool down, it may be a fake.
Use a refractometer to measure the diamond’s refractive index
A refractometer measures the diamond’s refractive index, which is a measure of how much light the diamond bends when it enters the stone. Real diamonds have a refractive index of 2.42, while fake diamonds tend to have a lower refractive index. You can buy a refractometer or take the diamond to a jeweler who can measure the refractive index for you.
Perform a fog test on the diamond
The fog test is another way to tell if a diamond is real. To do this, breathe on the diamond and observe how the fog dissipates. Real diamonds disperse the fog quickly, while fake diamonds take longer. If the fog lingers, the diamond may be fake.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tell if a diamond is real is essential for anyone looking to buy a diamond. By examining the diamond’s sparkle and fire, checking for inclusions or blemishes with a magnifying glass, looking for a stamp of certification, testing the stone’s thermal conductivity, using a refractometer to measure the diamond’s refractive index, and performing a fog test on the diamond, you can determine whether the diamond is real or not. It’s also important to remember that real diamonds often come with a certification stamp, so look for this when buying a diamond.
