While buying diamond jewelry, you'll probably see some specimens being offered at unbelievable prices. There's a good chance that at least a few of them aren't real, though. There's nothing wrong with fake diamonds, and some couples like them better, but you should never pay real diamond prices for fakes.
There are plenty of ways to create a fake diamond. Some imitations are even great gems on they're own, but they're not for someone who's got their heart set on a real diamond. Understanding the different kinds of look alikes will help you learn to spot them and pick out the real thing.
Moissanite - This is a very rare mineral that looks like a diamond, but it's chemically and physically quite different. This diamond fake isn't as common as some of the others, as its rarity means that moissanite sold as itself can cost more than natural diamonds.
Cubic Zirconia - Commonly substituted for diamonds, cubic zirconia weigh more and are much heavier than the real gem.
Artificial Diamonds - These are actual diamonds, with the same chemical and physical properties, but they were made by humans, not by natural forces. They're usually a lot cheaper than natural diamonds.
Faceted Crystal "Diamonds" - Attractive cut glass stones may look good, but they're not very high quality and durability is low. These stones could even shatter in a ring.
The four Cs - carat, cut, color and clarity - can guide you in determining whether something is a real diamond or not, and if it's real, whether it's a good one. Knowing more about diamonds will help you avoid being fooled by false gems or buying cheap ones at a too-high price.
Work with jewelers you trust, and who have a good reputation. Make sure that they can answer detailed, educated questions about your diamond, and keep an eye out for the major scams.
Take a look at the setting when you're determining whether a diamond is real. These are very expensive gems, and they'll never be set in a cheap setting. If the placement is inferior or insecure, crooked, loose, or otherwise badly made, you're probably not looking at a real diamond.
Check the stone for damage, as well. Diamonds shouldn't be scuffed, nicked or scratch, since they resist damage. They sparkle and reflect in neutral tones, while many fakes have a rainbow sheen.
Ask yourself how transparent the stone is, too. If you can turn a loose diamond upside down on a piece of paper with words on it, you should not be able to read the text. Real diamonds disperse light too much for this to happen.
You shouldn't be afraid to take a close look at your diamond, either. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to see if the stone is well cut and if it has a faceted girdle around the middle. Some high end specialty stones are numbered on the girdle, as well.
The fog test is another option. Because of their unique properties, diamonds rapidly disperse heat. That means that if you fog the diamond with your breath, it will vanish quickly, while imitation stones will remain fogged for a number of seconds. - 15252
There are plenty of ways to create a fake diamond. Some imitations are even great gems on they're own, but they're not for someone who's got their heart set on a real diamond. Understanding the different kinds of look alikes will help you learn to spot them and pick out the real thing.
Moissanite - This is a very rare mineral that looks like a diamond, but it's chemically and physically quite different. This diamond fake isn't as common as some of the others, as its rarity means that moissanite sold as itself can cost more than natural diamonds.
Cubic Zirconia - Commonly substituted for diamonds, cubic zirconia weigh more and are much heavier than the real gem.
Artificial Diamonds - These are actual diamonds, with the same chemical and physical properties, but they were made by humans, not by natural forces. They're usually a lot cheaper than natural diamonds.
Faceted Crystal "Diamonds" - Attractive cut glass stones may look good, but they're not very high quality and durability is low. These stones could even shatter in a ring.
The four Cs - carat, cut, color and clarity - can guide you in determining whether something is a real diamond or not, and if it's real, whether it's a good one. Knowing more about diamonds will help you avoid being fooled by false gems or buying cheap ones at a too-high price.
Work with jewelers you trust, and who have a good reputation. Make sure that they can answer detailed, educated questions about your diamond, and keep an eye out for the major scams.
Take a look at the setting when you're determining whether a diamond is real. These are very expensive gems, and they'll never be set in a cheap setting. If the placement is inferior or insecure, crooked, loose, or otherwise badly made, you're probably not looking at a real diamond.
Check the stone for damage, as well. Diamonds shouldn't be scuffed, nicked or scratch, since they resist damage. They sparkle and reflect in neutral tones, while many fakes have a rainbow sheen.
Ask yourself how transparent the stone is, too. If you can turn a loose diamond upside down on a piece of paper with words on it, you should not be able to read the text. Real diamonds disperse light too much for this to happen.
You shouldn't be afraid to take a close look at your diamond, either. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to see if the stone is well cut and if it has a faceted girdle around the middle. Some high end specialty stones are numbered on the girdle, as well.
The fog test is another option. Because of their unique properties, diamonds rapidly disperse heat. That means that if you fog the diamond with your breath, it will vanish quickly, while imitation stones will remain fogged for a number of seconds. - 15252
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