How to Make Sure a Diamond is Real

*Collaborative Post

Diamonds are an investment, so you want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

But with many fake diamonds on the market, from cubic zirconia and moissanite to lab-grown stones, how can you be confident that the one you’re eyeing is the real deal?

Here are a few simple tests and tips that can help you out, even if you’re not an expert.

Understand the sparkle and setting quality

Real diamonds have a brilliance that fake stones typically can’t replicate.

This comes from their high refractive index, which makes them sparkle in a unique way.

Fake diamonds, like cubic zirconia, tend to look dull in comparison or show too many rainbow colours, which isn’t typical of a genuine diamond.

If you’re unsure, have a closer look at the setting. Most real diamond rings, such as those made from gold or platinum, will feature hallmark stamps.

These tiny stamps indicate the quality of the metal and often appear on the inner band. If you don’t see one, it might be worth asking the seller for more information.

Try at-home DIY tests

There are a few simple tests you can do at home to check if a diamond is real, though none of them are 100% foolproof.

Here are a couple of easy tests you can try:

• The fog test: Breathe on the diamond to fog it up. A real diamond will disperse the fog quickly, while a fake diamond will hold onto the fog for longer. This happens because diamonds conduct heat quickly, whereas fake stones don’t.
• The dot test: Place the diamond over a piece of paper with a small dot on it. If the diamond is real, you shouldn’t be able to see the dot through the stone. Fake diamonds, on the other hand, often let light pass through, allowing the dot to be visible.
• The heat test: Real diamonds are heat-resistant, so if you hold the diamond over a flame for a few seconds and then drop it into cold water, it shouldn’t crack. Fake diamonds, like glass or plastic, might shatter from the temperature change.

While these tests can give you a clue, they’re not foolproof. It’s best to compare the stone against a known real diamond to see the differences more clearly or get professional guidance.

Seek professional verification

Before purchasing, it’s worth seeking professional guidance. An expert will be able to verify a diamond’s authenticity with tools such as a diamond tester.

Professional inspection may also involve a jeweller’s loupe to check for natural inclusions, or “blemishes,” that are unique to each diamond. Fake diamonds won’t have these natural imperfections.

When in doubt, a little professional guidance can go a long way to making sure that sparkle you’re admiring is truly the real thing!

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.