This Is How to Tell If a Diamond Is Real

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but fake diamonds are the enemy.

There's nothing more disappointing than finding out the stone you've been flaunting is fraudulent. Unfortunately, many fake gems are floating around the market, so consumers need to be careful about their purchases.

Do you know how to tell if a diamond is real?

There are a few different methods to distinguishing a real stone from a fake one. The most reliable approach is obtaining a GIA report. However, there are a few simple at-home methods you can also try.

Let's explore all of the different ways you can determine if your diamond is legit.

Ask for a GIA Diamond Grading Report

If you're wondering how to tell a real diamond from a fake one, a diamond grading report can help. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a nonprofit organization. It is an educational institution that provides non-biased diamond and gemstone evaluations. The organization does not sell, buy, or represent diamond retailers. GIA provides objective grading reports on the quality of diamonds. The statement does not offer an appraisal of financial value. GIA reports decipher real diamonds from fake ones and record any enhancements made to the stone. If you are selling a diamond, investing in a GIA Diamond Grading Report can help you justify your diamond's financial value. If you are buying or already own a diamond, a grading report can give you more information about your stone. GIA uses the 4cs to determine diamond quality: color, carat weight, clarity, and cut. In addition, GIA may evaluate the diamond's fluorescence, polish, symmetry, and proportions. A GIA report protects buyers and sellers from fraudulent diamonds. When purchasing a diamond, ask your clerk for a GIA report number. The number references the stone's online listing. The consumer can go online to view the official GIA Diamond Grading Report.

 

How to Tell If a Diamond Is Real: DIY Methods

How do you know a diamond is real? There are a variety of at-home tests you can do to evaluate the legitimacy of your diamond.

 

The Fog Test

A true diamond should not fog up. If you're wondering how to tell a fake diamond from a real one, try this quick and simple fog test.

Clean your diamond and make sure no oils are covering it. External substances can alter the fog's reaction.

Go to a cool area. Hold your diamond close to your mouth between two fingers. Breathe hot air onto the diamond for about thirty seconds.

A real diamond will clear up within one to two seconds. A fake diamond will stay foggy.

Diamonds conduct and disperse heat immediately, making it impossible for the fog to linger on their surface.

Fraudulent diamonds, such as those made from moissanite, do not have the same abilities. Fog lingers on fake diamonds, just like it would on a cell phone screen or mirror.

 

The Floating Test

Real diamonds should not float. To perform the floating test, all you need is your stone and a glass of water.

Drop the diamond into the water. True diamonds have high density and should quickly sink to the bottom of the glass. Fake diamonds are not as thick, and therefore, more likely to float in water.

This test is not always foolproof. Some materials that make up fake diamonds, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, can sink if they are heavy enough. It's best to combine the floating test with another at-home evaluation to tell if your diamond is real.

 

The Newspaper Test

Also known as the transparency test, the newspaper test is a sure-fire way to tell if diamonds are real. All you need is a newspaper and the stone in question.

First things first, wipe your diamond to make sure it's clean before conducting this test.

Place your diamond face down on the newspaper with text. Look closely at the diamond. If you can decipher the letters through the stone, then the diamond is likely fake.

A legitimate diamond is not translucent. The stones refract light, making it hard to see through them. If you cannot make out the text beneath your stone, it's most likely a real diamond.

 

The Temperature Test

Real diamonds are one of the toughest materials in the world, receiving a 10 out of 10 rating on the Mohs scale of hardness. That means it takes a lot for something to alter a diamond's appearance.

A temperature test can determine whether your stone is real or fake. You will need a lighter, a glass of cold water, tweezers, and the diamond you're evaluating.

Use your tweezers to hold the stone over the lighter for 30 to 45 seconds. Drop the diamond immediately into the glass of cold water.

If the diamond is real, it will not react to the sudden change in temperature. The diamond should not have any changes. All you may see is a bit of residual ash from the flame.

A fake diamond cannot withstand an extreme shift in temperature. Fake stones may break or shatter during the test.

 

The Black Light Test

Most true diamonds have natural fluorescence. This means their color may be altered when placed under specific types of lighting, such as a black light.

Place your diamond underneath an ultraviolet or black light. The stone's fluorescence should make the stone appear blue or emit a bluish-color. Fake diamonds will not change colors.

Keep in mind that some real diamonds don't include fluorescence, so they may not give off a blue glow. In fact, only one-third of all diamonds fluoresce. Combine the black light test with other diamond-evaluating methods for more conclusive results.

 

Find Your Diamonds in the Rough

While there are various ways to test a diamond at home, the most fool-proof method is working with your local jeweler. Jewelers can file GIA Diamond Grading Reports and answer questions regarding your stone.

Now that you know how to tell if a diamond is real, let's get you into the diamond of your dreams. Browse our collection of custom-selected jewelry and find the perfect stone for you.