How to Tell if a Diamond is Real or Fake: A Guide

Diamonds are incredibly popular in many regions for being beautiful and rare - which is why they're some of the most sought-after gemstones in the world! However, with so many synthetic and imitation diamonds on the market, telling a real diamond from a fake one can be difficult. We’re here to help.

Throughout this blog post, we are going to discuss some of the methods and techniques for checking the authenticity of diamonds and avoiding potential scams and counterfeit products.

The Characteristics of Diamonds

Before delving into specific testing methods, you must familiarise yourself with the unique characteristics of diamonds that distinguish them from other gemstones and imitation materials. The four Cs - cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight - are universally recognised criteria for assessing the quality and value of diamonds.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to how it's shaped and polished. This affects how sparkly and pretty it looks. A diamond that's cut well will reflect light in the best way, making it look much better than diamonds that aren't cut as well.

Colour

Diamonds can come in different colours, from clear to more interesting and unique colours, but the most popular ones tend to be the ones that don't have much colour at all. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a scale to grade diamond colour from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with D(colourless) diamonds being the most expensive and Z(light yellow or brown) being cheaper.

Diamonds aren't always the white colour that we generally associate with them. They also come in a variety of other colours such as pink, yellow and blue. In general fancy coloured diamonds are the most expensive.

Clarity

Diamond clarity refers to the imperfections of a diamond both on the inside and outside, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. The clarity of a diamond is graded based on the visibility and extent of these flaws under magnification, with flawless diamonds being exceptionally rare and valuable.

Carat Weight

Carat weight is a measure of a diamond's size and weight, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams. While carat weight influences the perceived size and value of a diamond, it is important to consider other factors such as cut quality and clarity when assessing overall diamond quality.

The Different Types of Diamonds

When determining which diamonds are real and fake, it is important to understand the distinctions between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds (Lab-diamonds). Whether you're looking for an engagement or wedding ring, looking into a family heirloom, or just curious about a diamond's authenticity, it's important to know how to spot a real diamond from a fake one.

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds are diamonds that form naturally deep within the Earth's mantle over billions of years. They're created through a fascinating process of intense heat and pressure acting on carbon-containing materials. Each natural diamond is unique, with variations in size, shape, colour, and clarity, giving them their own individual beauty.

Because they're formed naturally, these diamonds are cherished for their rarity and enduring appeal. While they may come with a higher price tag due to the costs of mining and extraction, natural diamonds hold a certain appeal for those seeking a timeless symbol of love and luxury.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are created in a laboratory instead of being mined from the Earth. They're made using advanced technology that simulates the natural conditions under which diamonds form.

These diamonds have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as natural diamonds, so they sparkle and shine just like the ones you'd find in nature. Because they're grown in a controlled environment, lab-grown diamonds come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours, so you can find the perfect diamond to suit your style and budget.

Testing Methods for Diamond Authentication

There are several ways in which people can check the authenticity of diamonds. The issue that arises when looking at the authenticity of lab-grown diamonds is that they are virtually indistinguishable from real, natural diamonds without a specific set of tools to see the finer details to differentiate between the two.

Diamond Tester

Diamond testers are handheld devices that use thermal conductivity to tell the difference between diamonds and artificials. These testers measure the rate at which heat is conducted through the gemstone, with diamonds exhibiting high thermal conductivity compared to most types of fake.

Unfortunately, diamond testers that test in this way generally do not test between Natural and Lab-Grown diamonds. Diamond testers will usually only detect moissanite, cubic zirconia and white sapphire.

Loupe Examination

Using a jeweller's loupe (a small magnifying lens), examine the diamond for internal and external characteristics that are similar to that of a diamond's natural origins. Look for inclusions, blemishes, and growth patterns that are typical of natural diamonds and may not be present in synthetic or imitation stones.

Ultraviolet (UV) Light Test

Some diamonds can glow under UV light, which can help distinguish them from fake diamonds. Simply place the diamond under a UV light and see if it lights up in blue, yellow, or even a milky white colour.

Water Test

The water test includes putting the diamond in a glass of water to see how it floats and reflects light. A real diamond usually sinks to the bottom because it's dense and has a high refractive index, while most fakes will float or act differently in water.

Natural or Laboratory Grown

Once you have determined if a diamond is real, you need to determine if it is Natural or Laboratory grown. To determine if a diamond is Lab-grown or natural you need specialist equipment and specialist training.

One of the leading pieces of equipment to distinguish the type of diamond is a phosphorescence screener. You also need to look at the different strain patterns within the diamond through a microscope to determine if it is Natural, HPHT or CVD.

Key Takeaways

• Telling apart a real diamond from a fake one requires some prior knowledge in the area, as well as keen observation and testing techniques.
• Getting to know the unique traits of diamonds, like the cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight means you'll be able to judge the quality and realness of a diamond just by looking at it through a loupe and understanding its features.
• Using testing methods like diamond testers, loupe examination, UV light testing, and water testing can give you more clues about whether a diamond is real or not, helping you make smarter buying choices.

While no one test can prove a diamond's authenticity, checking it with a variety of methods can definitely help you avoid getting scammed with fake or man-made diamonds.

Diamond Jewellery at Miltons Diamonds

If you would like to browse a selection of high-quality, real diamond jewellery, we have a wide range of different options available across our website that you can choose from. Our collection ranges from Rolex watches to multiple beautiful engagement rings, we have just about anything that you could ask for. Explore our collection of diamond rings today!