It’s always wise to cross-check whether the diamond you’re eyeing is the real deal or not.
Identifying a genuine diamond without professional tools can be tricky, but there are a few simple ways to spot a real one just by using your eyes. In this article, we will guide you to some effective ways of how to tell a real diamond by eye.
Let’s get into this!
What Are The Common Diamond Lookalikes?
Many gemstones, like white sapphires, garnets, moissanites, and cubic zirconia, can easily be mistaken for diamonds.
To avoid overpaying or undervaluing these stones, it's important to know their unique features. The scratch test, where you scratch a mirror with the stone to see if it leaves a mark, used to be a simple way to identify diamonds.
However, with the improved quality of synthetic stones like cubic zirconia and moissanite, this test isn't as reliable anymore. It's a good idea to use other methods to make sure your diamond is the real deal.
How to Tell A Real Diamond By Eye?- 10 Effective Tests
Here are 10 effective methods to tell a real diamond by eye, ensuring you make a confident and informed decision.
1. UV Test
Place the diamond under a UV light. Real diamonds typically emit a blue fluorescence, although not all do. If the stone glows in another colour, such as green, yellow, or red, it might be a synthetic or imitation stone. This test is not foolproof, but it can provide helpful clues.
2. Scratch Test
Historically, the scratch test involved scratching a mirror with the stone. Since diamonds are extremely hard, they should leave a mark. However, modern synthetic stones like moissanite and cubic zirconia can also scratch surfaces. While still useful, this test should be combined with others for accuracy.
3. Thermal Test
Diamonds disperse heat quickly. To perform a thermal test, breathe on the stone to fog it up. A real diamond will clear almost instantly, while fakes like glass or quartz will take longer to defog. This test can be a quick way to gauge authenticity.
4. Fog Test
The fog test is a simple and effective method. Breathe on the diamond as if fogging up a mirror. A real diamond will dissipate the fog almost immediately due to its excellent thermal conductivity. If the fog lingers, the stone is likely not a diamond.
5. Water Test
Drop the diamond into a glass of water. A real diamond, being dense, will sink to the bottom. Fake diamonds, such as cubic zirconia or glass, are often less dense and may float or sink slowly. This is a quick and easy test for checking density.
6. Shape Test
Examine the diamond's shape under good lighting. Real diamonds are usually cut with sharp, precise edges, reflecting light in a distinctive way. Fake diamonds may have rounded edges or show signs of poor craftsmanship. The brilliance of a well-cut diamond is often unmatched by imitations.
7. Weight Test
Compare the weight of the suspected diamond with a real one of similar size. Real diamonds are denser, so they should weigh more than imitations like cubic zirconia. If you notice a significant difference, the stone might not be a genuine diamond.
8. Clarity Test
Use a jeweller’s loupe to inspect the stone for inclusions or blemishes. Most real diamonds have tiny imperfections, known as inclusions, visible under magnification. A stone with perfect clarity might be a synthetic diamond or a high-quality imitation. Real diamonds are rarely flawless.
9. Light Reflection Test
A real diamond reflects light in a unique way, showing shades of grey and white, while imitations like cubic zirconia often reflect rainbow colours. Hold the diamond under direct light and observe its reflection. The play of light in a real diamond is typically more subtle and refined.
10. Newspaper Test
Place the diamond flat side down on a newspaper. If you can read the text through the stone or see distorted letters, the diamond is likely fake. Real diamonds refract light so strongly that they prevent clear vision through the stone, making text unreadable.
How to Identify Stones That Aren’t Real Diamonds
Identifying stones that aren’t real diamonds can be tricky, especially with so many convincing imitations out there. Let’s go through the key differences between genuine diamonds and common look-alikes can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Recognizing Synthetic Diamonds
Synthetic diamonds, often created in labs, can closely resemble natural diamonds but have distinct differences. They may lack the natural inclusions found in real diamonds or have a unique pattern of inclusions.
Also, synthetic diamonds often exhibit different reactions under UV light, glowing in colours that natural diamonds typically do not.
Identifying White Sapphire
White sapphires are a common diamond alternative but can be identified by their distinct lack of brilliance.
Unlike diamonds, which refract light to produce a dazzling sparkle, white sapphires have a more muted appearance with less fire. They also tend to get scratched more easily and may have visible inclusions that are different from those in diamonds.
Spotting Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is one of the most popular diamond imitations due to its low cost and close visual similarity.
However, cubic zirconia is much less dense than a real diamond, making it feel lighter. It also lacks the sharp brilliance of a diamond, often displaying a rainbow-like spectrum of colours when exposed to light. Over time, cubic zirconia can become cloudy, unlike a diamond that remains clear.
Differentiating White Topaz
White topaz is another diamond substitute but has distinct characteristics. It is softer than a diamond, making it more prone to scratches and wear.
White topaz also lacks the diamond's fire and brilliance, giving off a more subdued sparkle. Additionally, under magnification, white topaz may show visible inclusions and a less sharp facet pattern compared to diamonds.
Identifying Garnets
Garnets are often confused with diamonds, especially when they are cut in similar shapes.
However, garnets have a distinct reddish hue, even when they appear colourless or light in colour.
They also lack the fire and brilliance of diamonds, and under magnification, garnets can show a grainy texture that is not present in diamonds. Additionally, garnets are softer and can be scratched more easily.
Distinguishing between Diamonds and Zircon
Zircon, not to be confused with cubic zirconia, is a natural gemstone that can resemble a diamond.
However, zircon is much more brittle and prone to chipping. It also has a distinct double refraction, causing a "doubling" effect when you look through the stone. This feature is not found in diamonds.
Zircon also tends to have a warmer colour tone compared to the cooler brilliance of diamonds.
FAQs
What Is The Fastest Way to Tell If a Diamond is Real?
The thermal conductivity test is an effective method to check if a diamond is genuine quickly. This test measures how well a stone conducts heat, helping to distinguish real diamonds from imitations. A simple approach is to place a few drops of water on the diamond's surface. If the water remains on top, the stone is real. If the water sinks in, the diamond may not be genuine.
Is There a Real Diamond Tester?
Yes, there are real diamond testers available. These handheld devices measure the thermal conductivity of a stone to determine if it's a genuine diamond. Diamonds conduct heat differently from most imitations, making this test reliable. Some testers also measure electrical conductivity for added accuracy.
Last Thoughts
And our discussion regarding how to tell a real diamond by eye ends here.
Identifying a real diamond by eye involves using a combination of simple tests and careful observation. From checking the stone's brilliance and clarity to performing tests like the fog test or thermal conductivity check, these methods can help you determine if a diamond is genuine.