How to Tell If a Diamond Is Real

Among the most widely used jewels in jewellery are diamonds. They enhance engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and other designs with their brilliance, beauty, and durability. When purchasing diamonds or examining jewellery you may already own, you can be concerned about whether the diamonds are authentic. After all, over the years, imitations of these timeless gems have been made using a wide range of materials and methods.

Glass, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are common diamond substitutes. However, nothing can match the splendour of genuine diamonds, even though some imitations are quite close.

So, how can you tell whether you have the real deal? To find out if your diamonds are real, you'll need to try other methods unless you have a jeweller-grade diamond tester.

How to Visually Identify a Real Diamond?

Genuine diamonds have particular traits that set them apart from fakes. Even if your eyes cannot give you complete assurance, they can provide valuable first hints.

Examining a diamond's shine is the simplest method of determining its authenticity. Because of their high refractive index, real diamonds have a special manner of reflecting light. The dispersion of brilliant white light reflections that happen when light strikes a real diamond is a sign of its unmatched brightness. On the other hand, imitation stones such as glass or cubic zirconia sometimes have a dull appearance or exhibit an overwhelming amount of rainbow-like reflections.

The facet edges of real diamonds are also sharp. A diamond's cuts and angles should be clear and distinct when seen closely; they shouldn't be rounded or badly cut. Furthermore, little natural flaws that developed during the diamond's formation may be present in real diamonds; these flaws are really signs of genuineness.

Real Diamonds Are Sold by LBJ

You may feel more secure about the genuineness of your jewellery if you purchase your diamonds and gemstones from trustworthy jewellers. We provide the documentation to prove that every diamond we sell is genuine, so you can feel secure knowing that.

You may be confident that you are getting real diamonds whether you buy diamond jewellery or loose diamonds from our online jewellery shop or nearby jewellery boutiques. We have a large assortment of lab-grown and natural diamonds that come with GIA diamond certification reports to confirm their authenticity and quality.

Real diamonds are only found in natural and lab-grown forms. All other stones that resemble diamonds are either their jewels or simulants. To find out why lab-grown diamonds may be certified by the GIA or IGI, much like their natural counterparts, you can read more about how lab-grown diamonds are created.

Methods for Validating a Diamond

You might wonder how to verify the authenticity of diamonds you've bought from other jewellery retailers. Bringing a diamond to a jeweller who can use an electronic diamond tester instrument to verify it is the quickest method. You may also use certain at-home methods to identify the type of gemstone you own.

Test of Fog

One of the most often used methods for determining whether a mounted diamond is genuine at home is the fog test. Just breathe on the stone while holding the jewellery to your lips, as if you were fogging a mirror. Whereas simulants frequently remain foggy for a few seconds, a real diamond will immediately remove any moisture from your breath.

 

Examining the Jewellery Setting

You may learn a lot about the quality of any jewels in the item from the setting of your jewellery. Real diamonds are usually placed in metals like platinum or gold. A diamond simulant is frequently used in jewellery that is coated in gold or silver.

It's crucial to use extra techniques to verify the authenticity of your gemstones because the method for identifying diamonds based on jewellery metal types cannot work for bespoke or historic items.

Test Using Black Light (UV Light)

Certain diamonds sparkle when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light; this phenomenon is known as fluorescence. For diamonds that naturally glow, this UV light test can confirm genuineness, however, it is not conclusive. However, since some genuine diamonds don't fluoresce at all, a stone's lack of fluorescence does not always indicate that it is a fake.

 

Test of Sunlight

When exposed to sunlight, real diamonds shine with breathtaking brightness. On a sunny day, take the diamond outside or near a window and look at its reflection. Subtle rainbows will accompany brilliant bursts of white light from a genuine diamond.

 

The Dot Test

The best way to determine whether a diamond is genuine is to use an unmounted diamond to assess its refractivity. A genuine diamond has a very high refractive index. Draw a tiny dot on a sheet of paper for this exam, then cover the dot with your diamond. It is usually difficult to see the dot through an actual diamond due to its strong refraction.

Test of Water

Another method for determining the authenticity of an unmounted diamond is the water test. Natural and lab-grown diamonds weigh more than diamond imitators like quartz and glass. This implies that when a diamond is placed into a little glass of water, it will often sink. Quartz and glass, however, may float or sink gradually.

However, as other simulants like cubic zirconia may also sink rapidly, this method is not infallible for determining whether a diamond is real.

 

Examining the Magnificence

One of the reasons diamonds have been so beloved for millennia is their exceptional brightness. Intense light frequently causes a genuine diamond to shine in grayscale. Moissanite and other jewels will mostly glow like rainbows. A gemstone with a dull glitter that is highly polished for jewellery is probably not a diamond.

Recognising a False Diamond Using Electrical Conductivity

An electrical conductivity test conducted by a jeweller or gemologist can also be used to identify a false diamond. Compared to other stones, such as the challenging synthetic moissanite, diamonds are superior at conducting electricity. A clear indication of whether the stone is real or manufactured in a lab will be provided by an electrical tester.

The Test of Sandpaper

With just sandpaper (and a little elbow grease), this diamond test is really simple. Just rub the stone with the sandpaper's grainy side. Since diamonds are among the toughest materials in the world, a true diamond should not be impacted by sandpaper and will continue to be in great condition. But it will scrape if it's a fake diamond.

The Greatest Expert Tests to Determine Whether a Diamond Is Real

The best course of action would be to take your stone to a certified gemologist if you lack the time to do any of the at-home diamond tests or if you don't trust yourself and need a second opinion. Simply enquire whether the jewellery store has any trained gemologists on staff or if they can recommend a trustworthy local gemologist with diamond expertise.

They are aware of which diamond or gemstone weight and shape would best fit your preferences and price range without compromising the stone's brilliance. A certified gemologist will do more than just the basic tests you can perform at home if you bring your diamond to them.

Loupe Magnifying Glass Test

A loupe, or professional-grade magnifying glass, is used by a skilled jeweller to examine your diamond. A jeweller would examine a diamond under 10x magnification to look for natural inclusions or flaws, which are typical of actual diamonds (unless it is rated VVS+).

Test of Weight

Because diamonds have a certain density, fakes can be identified by weighing the stone about a real diamond of the same size. Diamonds of the same size often weigh less than stones like cubic zirconia. To provide an accurate judgement, jewellers evaluate the difference using precise scales.

The Diamond Tester

To distinguish genuine diamonds from imitations, jewellers utilise a specialised diamond tester that measures heat conductivity. Diamonds, in contrast to many imitations, diffuse heat rapidly.

Diamond Certification

A diamond certificate from a respectable gemological laboratory, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is the most reliable method of confirming a diamond's authenticity. These certifications offer comprehensive details on the qualities of the diamond and, most of all, its authenticity.

The Most Common Questions and Responses Regarding Diamond Testing

How can a diamond's authenticity be determined at home?

Home testing may be used in a number of ways to determine whether a diamond is genuine. Included in this are the water, fog, and dot tests. Determining if you have a diamond may also be done by looking at the stone's brightness and the jewellery it is set in.

Is it possible to use your phone to evaluate a diamond?

To determine whether a diamond is genuine, you may use any flashlight, including the one on your phone. Just shine a light on your diamond and see how the stone scatters the light. A genuine diamond will exhibit powerful light bursts and perhaps rainbows.

How can you determine whether a ring is authentic or not?

Authentic diamond rings are often crafted from premium metals such as gold or platinum. If you want to know if you have a genuine gemstone, this is a fantastic place to start.

The diamond breath test: what is it?

The diamond fog test is another name for this. Using this method, you may test if breathing on your stone causes it to get cloudy. A genuine diamond won't remain cloudy.

How can a flashlight be used to determine whether a diamond is real?

Shine a flashlight closely on your stone. A true diamond will reflect white light and rainbow flashes. A fake diamond will likely not reflect much light.

Does the Scratch Test Work Well to Verify the Veracity of a Diamond?

Although incredibly hard materials are used to produce diamonds, imitations like moissanite and cubic zirconia are also quite resilient and scratch-resistant. These factors make the scratch test inaccurate. Other procedures, such as a thermal conductivity test or having the diamond examined with a qualified loupe instrument, are more beneficial.

How to determine whether a mounted diamond is real?

Unmounted diamonds work well for some tests, such as the water test and the dot test. Other tests, however, can still be used to examine your mounted stone and determine its authenticity. To find out more about your stone, try the flashlight or fog tests. Diamond testers can be used by jewellers to test placed stones. You may also tell if you have a real or fake diamond by looking at the setting of your jewellery. Fake diamonds are frequently seen in less costly settings, but real diamonds are frequently put in valuable metals like gold jewellery.

Finding Authentic Diamond Jewellery

The best method to determine whether a diamond is real is to consult a jeweller, though these tests and methods can give you a better idea. Since each diamond is unique, some of these methods for determining a diamond's authenticity might not work for diamonds with particular cuts, colours, shapes, or clarity levels. You can browse our full selection of diamond earrings, women’s and men’s engagement rings, wedding rings, and jewellery styles to see our wide array of diamond types available.