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How Can You Tell Real Diamonds From Fake?

A real diamond can be summed up as one that originates from the ground, whether it has been mined or found in a place such as a river bed. By contrast, there are diamond simulants that are grown in a laboratory, as well as a variety of diamond lookalikes such as cubic zirconias and even paste --- gems made out of glass. Because mined diamonds are far more rare and valuable than these alternatives, distinguishing real from fake is very important. Unfortunately, without sending the stone to a laboratory to be tested, this can be hard to do definitively. Nonetheless, there are some steps you can take that will point to a probability one way or another.

Things You'll Need

Ultraviolet (U.V.) torch
Diamond tester

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off any overhead lights or shade the diamond under your coat and then shine the beam of an ultraviolet (U.V.) torch on it. Look for signs of fluorescence. Paste won't fluoresce, but real gemstones will. While this is only a rough step to ensure that a stone is a gem of some kind, it is extremely useful as it is quick and easy to apply. U.V. torches are available from some home-security stores.
- 2
  Use your powers of observation and common sense to gather corroborative evidence. Does the so-called diamond seem very cheap for its size? Does it come with any supporting documentation such as a grading report? Most modern --- that is, recently mined --- diamonds should. Are there any other documents such as an original proof of purchase? Ask these questions and be suspicious if no satisfactory answers are forthcoming.
- 3
  Inspect the diamond's setting. If it is not mounted in platinum or gold of at least 18 karats, then the stone is almost certainly not a real diamond. This test, in particular, is a very reliable one in terms of establishing which stones are not real.
- 4
  Look for evidence of the stone's age. The stone might have what is termed "provenance" (i.e., evidence of its history) in the form of documents or an old photograph in which it features. Its mount might have a hallmark that dates it to a certain period or perhaps it is contained within a fitted box that shows signs of age. Age --- say from before World War II --- can be an extremely useful indicator of authenticity as many diamond lookalikes that vex collectors have only appeared in recent decades.
- 5
  Invest in an electronic diamond tester, available from online jewelry accessories stores. These are portable, simple to operate and can be very reliable in telling real diamonds from fake ones.

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