What Are Some Ways To Differentiate a Fake From A Real Diamond
The simplest, most honest answer to the question of how to tell a real diamond from a fake is "get a professional to test the diamond." That may appear atrocious, or you may have heard that there are habits that clever citizens with jewelers' lopes can just take a glance and know which gravel are real and which are fake, but the truth is that it is attractive harder and harder to conclude a "real" diamond even for trained professionals, and it is perilously not easy for amateurs. nnThere are some regulations of the thumbs.. If you are purchasing a diamond in a setting, check the metal stamp within the band: 10k, 14k, 18k, Pl, and similar markings indicating precious metal increase the odds of the stone mounted in the setting being real. nnIf you have a jeweler's loupe or a high magnification hand magnifying glass, look at the edges and girdle-band of the cut stone. One way to tell if it is not real is to look at the edges, if they appear soft and have a rolled appearance than you can be sure it is a fake. So does a clear, waxy-smooth girdle at the place of meeting and changing direction of facets around the stone's belly. nnLikewise use the loupe to look into the stone for flaws: minor flecks, inclusions, tiny fractures. These can be very difficult to imitate because they are created naturally and they are very unique. Natural diamonds are worth the most when they are flawless and diamonds with minor flaws are not easily seen by most consumers. nnGenerally, weight may be utilized as a normal indicator for those types of things. Many materials used for fakes are heavier or lighter than real diamond: in particular cubic zirconium, the most common fake diamond, is a bit heavier. You need a precision scale and few genuine diamonds to be able to compare them. nnKeep glass away from your diamond to avoid scratching. When checking jewelry for content do not use acid tests primarily used on metals. Don't give in to your curiosity and try to smash a diamond because it will crush because it is a crystalline material. Since a pure diamond shifts the heat fast enough to clear the stone, you can fog the stone and see if you can look at it. But that is a mere hint, no more, and is far from fail proof. In terms of true worth, and proving comparatively valueless, composition stones that have the base of one material and a table of diamond, will "pass" the test. nnWhen you want to know for sure if the diamond is truly real, you must have someone reputable give it his opinion of it. That will mean you have to choose your jewelers carefully, and then ask them for paperwork for each gem. (each is individual and documentation can go a long way to establish the nature of your own stone). To get a correct and fair appraisal, a professional jeweler, can be a reliable and helpful source, as long as he has good sources for his information. nnNot making any negative generalizations, but be quite cautious when having a stone appraised at a chain jewelry store. These example businesses show the positive aspects of mass production and distribution as well as the negative aspects. They are often run very well, by honest men and women with equally honest support staff -- but few in these stores are likely to have the in depth training associated with higher grades of jewelry store, or with highly qualified assessment businesses. nnAfter you've found an appraisal service by searching online or in the yellow pages, make sure you thoroughly vet the assessor by looking at his or her experience, licensing and background. The best indicators of a skilled jeweler, is someone who is licensed, a journeyman from a traditional trade program, or someone who used to be a stone dealer. nnRequest that you be allowed to observe the testing of any stone you bring in. (to discourage switching the product by less than honest jewelers) . Turn around and walk right back out if you are refused. Ask for full documentation if you are purchasing a stone. And whatever you do, know that the challenge of identifying real diamond has become difficult enough to make even pros think twice and look three times.
