When you're buying jewelry, you'll see a lot of diamonds at incredible prices. However, there's a good chance that some of them aren't the real thing. While there's nothing wrong with a fake diamond (some couples prefer them), you shouldn't pay real diamond prices for one!
Fake diamonds can be made or presented in many different ways, and some fakes are even nice gems on their own. However, anyone who wants a diamond shouldn't be taken in by them. Anyone who really understands the different kinds of diamond look alikes should learn how to spot them and know when they're looking at the real thing.
Moissanite - a rare mineral that looks a lot like a diamond, but has really different chemical and physical properties. This isn't the most common diamond fake, since its rarity means that it may cost more than a natural diamond.
Cubic Zirconia - Commonly substituted for diamonds, cubic zirconia weigh more and are much heavier than the real gem.
Artificial Diamonds - These are actual diamonds, with the same chemical and physical properties, but they were made by humans, not by natural forces. They're usually a lot cheaper than natural diamonds.
Faceted Crystal - These cut glass stones are beautiful, but they're lower in quality and nowhere near as durable as a real diamond. A "stone" that's really crystal could even shatter in your ring.
The four characteristics that help guide you in finding out whether a diamond is real and what quality it is are called the four Cs. These are cut, color, carat and clarity, and learning about them will help you keep from being fooled by unscrupulous jewelers.
Work with jewelers you trust, and who have a good reputation. Make sure that they can answer detailed, educated questions about your diamond, and keep an eye out for the major scams.
When examining a diamond for quality, don't forget to look at the setting. These expensive gems won't be placed in a loose, crooked, or badly made setting, and if yours seems low quality, the stone probably isn't real, either.
Look at the stone to see if it's damaged, too. Diamonds should never be scratched, nicked, or scuffed - they're just too hard for this to happen. They should also reflect and sparkle in neutral tones, with rainbow sparkles indicating a fake.
Ask yourself how transparent the stone is, too. If you can turn a loose diamond upside down on a piece of paper with words on it, you should not be able to read the text. Real diamonds disperse light too much for this to happen.
You shouldn't be afraid to take a close look at your diamond, either. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to see if the stone is well cut and if it has a faceted girdle around the middle. Some high end specialty stones are numbered on the girdle, as well.
Use the fog test on suspected fakes as well. Diamonds naturally disperse heat at a quick rate, so if you fog the diamond with your breath, the fog will go away quickly. Fakes will stay fogged for a few seconds. - 16651
Fake diamonds can be made or presented in many different ways, and some fakes are even nice gems on their own. However, anyone who wants a diamond shouldn't be taken in by them. Anyone who really understands the different kinds of diamond look alikes should learn how to spot them and know when they're looking at the real thing.
Moissanite - a rare mineral that looks a lot like a diamond, but has really different chemical and physical properties. This isn't the most common diamond fake, since its rarity means that it may cost more than a natural diamond.
Cubic Zirconia - Commonly substituted for diamonds, cubic zirconia weigh more and are much heavier than the real gem.
Artificial Diamonds - These are actual diamonds, with the same chemical and physical properties, but they were made by humans, not by natural forces. They're usually a lot cheaper than natural diamonds.
Faceted Crystal - These cut glass stones are beautiful, but they're lower in quality and nowhere near as durable as a real diamond. A "stone" that's really crystal could even shatter in your ring.
The four characteristics that help guide you in finding out whether a diamond is real and what quality it is are called the four Cs. These are cut, color, carat and clarity, and learning about them will help you keep from being fooled by unscrupulous jewelers.
Work with jewelers you trust, and who have a good reputation. Make sure that they can answer detailed, educated questions about your diamond, and keep an eye out for the major scams.
When examining a diamond for quality, don't forget to look at the setting. These expensive gems won't be placed in a loose, crooked, or badly made setting, and if yours seems low quality, the stone probably isn't real, either.
Look at the stone to see if it's damaged, too. Diamonds should never be scratched, nicked, or scuffed - they're just too hard for this to happen. They should also reflect and sparkle in neutral tones, with rainbow sparkles indicating a fake.
Ask yourself how transparent the stone is, too. If you can turn a loose diamond upside down on a piece of paper with words on it, you should not be able to read the text. Real diamonds disperse light too much for this to happen.
You shouldn't be afraid to take a close look at your diamond, either. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to see if the stone is well cut and if it has a faceted girdle around the middle. Some high end specialty stones are numbered on the girdle, as well.
Use the fog test on suspected fakes as well. Diamonds naturally disperse heat at a quick rate, so if you fog the diamond with your breath, the fog will go away quickly. Fakes will stay fogged for a few seconds. - 16651
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Receiving a diamond pendant is great, but not as great as a diamond engagement rings. Diamond Tree have a great selection of both available.
