How to Spot a Real Diamond
Whether you were gifted a diamond, a diamond bracelet, a diamond necklace, received a family heirloom or are thinking about buying a second-hand piece, you may have wondered how to spot a real diamond. The good news is that you don’t need to be a gemologist or have fancy tools to tell if a diamond is real. We’ll share tips and simple tests that you can do from the comfort of your home to help you spot real diamonds.
What Stones Look Like Diamonds?
There are plenty of fake diamonds on the market that can look just like the real thing to the untrained eye. Some diamond alternatives include:
- Cubic zirconia
- Moissanite
- White sapphire
- White topaz
- Zircon
- Glass
While these stones can be a great alternative to diamonds, they do not have the same value.
What About Synthetic Diamonds?
Also known as man-made diamonds or laboratory created diamonds, these have grown in popularity in recent years. While these are of course real diamonds, much like diamond alternatives, they are not as valuable as mined diamonds. This is simply due to supply and demand, as synthetic diamonds are not a limited resource and therefore less rare.
While synthetic diamonds are a more sustainable and ethical option than mined diamonds, recycled or pre-owned diamonds are also a great eco-friendly option.
How To Spot A Real Diamond?
Below we have listed our top tips for determining if a diamond is real or fake.
Diamond Certificate: The first thing to do when trying to determine if a diamond is real is to see if it has a report from a reputable diamond grading lab such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). This report will demonstrate the authenticity of your diamond and detail its characteristics.
Take your diamond to a local jeweler: Another option you have for determining if a diamond is real or not is to take it to a local jeweler. However, determining a mined diamond from a synthetic diamond is complex and a jeweler will not necessarily be able to determine that.
If neither of these are an option, there are several easy tests you can do at home to help you tell if you have a real diamond. These include:
- Glass Test: The most effective and simple way to tell if a diamond is real is with the glass test. Lightly wet the face of a loose stone and place that end against glass. A real diamond will adhere to the glass while fakes will fall.
- Fog Test: Breathe onto the stone as if you are trying to fog up a window. If the fog clears up after one or two seconds, then your diamond is real. This is because diamonds do not retain heat, unlike their fake counterparts who will retain the fog for a longer amount of time.
- Transparency Test: If your stone is loose place it face down over text, such as a book or newspaper. If you can read the text, the stone is likely fake. Keep in mind that this test does not work well for poorly cut stones and stones under half a carat because they are too small to look through.
- Sandpaper Test: Rub the stone against sandpaper and see if the stone becomes scratched. As diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale, they should not get scratched by the sandpaper’s rough surface. Fake diamonds are softer and will get scratched.
How to Buy Real Diamonds and Real Diamond Jewelry
When you shop at a reputable company like myGemma, you never have to worry about being able to spot a real diamond. All of our loose diamonds and diamond jewelry and watches are authenticated by our team of gemologists who have decades of experience in diamond grading and pricing. What's more, we are completely transparent about what is a diamond and what is not: all of our gemstone jewelry is clearly labelled as diamond or diamond alternative (such as a moissanite).
Enjoy our wide away of diamonds, designer jewelry and luxury watches from your favorite brands such as Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and David Yurman at up to 80% off retail prices. We are committed to selling expertly authenticated, pre-owned diamonds and designer jewelry. MyGemma makes luxury shopping more affordable than ever with our fantastic prices, easy monthly payment plans with our partner Affirm, free US shipping and14 day return policy.
How To Sell Diamonds
Looking to sell loose diamonds or diamond jewelry? Fill out our online form to receive your price quote and our experts will be in touch shortly. Our service is fast, free and entirely secure, with no obligation to sell.
