How can you test a diamond at home?

Another artificial rival to the diamond.
Moissanite is a stone obtained by mixing silicon with carbon under high temperature.

• Moissanite is often mistaken for a diamond due to its brilliant shine. Due to its high refractive index, moissanite sparkles approximately 25% more than diamond.

• The dispersion index, that is, the play of light, is also more than twice as high in moissanite as in diamond.

• The purity of moissanite is higher – various impurities may be present in the diamond.

• When exposed to ultraviolet light, a diamond will have a bluish glow, while moissanite may reflect grey, green or yellow. This method is not always justified, since ideal stones do not create this effect.

• The presence of double refraction, when the light passing through the stone is split into two, indicates that it is moissanite and not a diamond.

• The price of a diamond increases in proportion to the square of its mass. A 2 carat diamond will cost the same as 4 1 carat diamonds. The price of moissanite for 1 carat is unknown, it all depends on its total weight and color. In most cases, it ranges from 1 to 5% of the cost of large natural diamonds with similar characteristics.

But still, it is practically impossible to distinguish these stones from each other at home.
Technologies for creating artificial materials and growing synthetic analogues of natural stones are progressing. Having the same properties and structure, they cannot be distinguished “by eye” from precious stones. In such cases, to identify a synthetic stone, professional expertise is needed, which is carried out using serious equipment, and the researchers have deep knowledge and skills. Currently, the instrumentation base of the Hematology Center of Moscow State University makes it possible to determine all types of stone refining that are found on the market.
Evaluation of stones is not limited to determining their mass. Diamonds have gradations in color, clarity, and cut quality. Diamonds are assessed according to Russian and international systems.
Independent gemological examination is the only way to protect against counterfeits.
BENDES studio experts described several effective ways to verify the authenticity of diamonds:

It is advisable to use not one of them, but several.

• When purchasing, you should immediately check for a certificate, which will be the first check of the stone for its authenticity. When issuing a certificate, experts determine its main characteristics: color, clarity, weight, cut quality. To check the certificate itself, its number must be entered on the official website of the company that issued it. We wrote more about the certificate and performance requirements in the article How to distinguish a genuine GIA certificate from a fake?
• For diamonds, it is important that real, not exaggerated color and clarity characteristics are indicated. For each diamond, the seller must have an appropriate certificate and an expert opinion. In the expert opinion, you need to pay attention to the weight, size, type of stone (natural or refined), a diagram of internal and external characteristics, expert signatures, laboratory details and contacts, and a counterfeit-proof hologram of the form. The number and date of issue are confirmed on the laboratory website.
• When purchasing a product, you need to find out the number of faces in the stone. The classic diamond cut has 57 facets. If the number of faces is smaller, then the glow and refraction deteriorate. Small diamonds of this cut are inferior to cubic zirconia.
• The quality of the cut is determined using complex measurements and tables. The buyer can define it as follows: the cut is bad if the stone does not shine.
• When you hold the stone in your hand, it will not immediately heat up, but will remain cool at first.

To distinguish a stone at home:

• Test with a glass of water: if you throw a gem into water, it will immediately sink to the bottom. The glass imitation will float on the surface.

• Temperature contrast: the stone should be heated over an open fire for 30 seconds, then sharply lowered into a glass of ice water. After cleaning a diamond, you will not find a single change. Any other mineral, including imitation diamond, will turn into crumbs, crack, or other defects will occur.

• Drawing experiment: draw a line or a cross on a piece of paper with a pen and place a stone on it. If the design is visible through the stone, it is not a diamond. But it should be noted that moissanite will pass the test.

• If you have a 10x magnifying glass handy, you can look at the inclusions. If the inclusion resembles a fine hair or a long thin scratch, it is not a diamond, but moissanite or cubic zirconia. Possible inclusions of diamonds are described in the article

Diamond, being the hardest gemstone, confidently holds the championship in the Mohs mineralogical hardness scale.

Despite its significant cost, a diamond has always been a desirable acquisition for every woman. Unscrupulous sellers still do not neglect this circumstance, actively offering counterfeit gemstones on the market. That is why every potential buyer should know how to distinguish a real diamond from a doublet.

1. Blog
2. Effective Ways to Verify the Authenticity of Diamonds

Diamond is the world’s most valuable gemstone, a symbol of status and wealth. It is not surprising that as demand for it increases, so does the number of counterfeits. Determining authenticity is a critical issue for both buyers and jewelry experts. In this article, you will learn ways to test a diamond in a store, at home, and in a professional laboratory.

We suggest starting with what is meant by a diamond. From a scientific point of view, diamond is carbon in crystalline form, capable of refracting and reflecting light, giving rise to brilliance and play of all shades of the rainbow. A diamond becomes a diamond after cutting and polishing. The characteristics of a diamond are determined by four main grading parameters known as the “four Cs”: carat weight, color, clarity and cut. Genuine gemstones are distinguished by their brilliance, hardness and rarity.

Stones that are often passed off as diamonds

The jewelry market today is filled with fakes that look almost like real diamonds. Here are examples of some of them:

• Doublet. Behind the professional name is pure adventure. A small natural diamond is glued to a cheap one, which is used as the base of the insert. Only an experienced technician can identify a substitution and recognize a fake using special tests in the laboratory.
• Zirconia. Inexpensive artificial diamond. It’s based on zirconium dioxide crystals and looks great. It is inferior to real diamond in terms of hardness, but has similar physical and optical properties. Cubic zirconias are extremely difficult to distinguish from genuine ones, especially at home.
• Moissanite. Synthetic silicon carbide, moissanite is so close in chemical composition to diamond that it sometimes deceives even special instruments and professional testers. The refraction of light can give away a fake: in moissanite it is definitely brighter than in the facets of a real diamond. Therefore, remember: if the stone shines too brightly, this is a reason for suspicion. However, the final verdict will be made in laboratory conditions.
• Swarovski. The famous crystals are an analogue of crystal. They look great and reflect light beautifully. They are distinguished from real diamonds by their characteristic cut, as well as their physical structure and the play of internal flashes.
• Leucosapphire. Artificial colorless sapphire is more in demand in the computer and laser industries. But it can also be attractive to underground jewelers. Leucosapphire has a bluish tint. Also, its hardness level does not meet diamond standards.
• Quartz. One of the most common minerals in nature. It looks convincing and is especially often used by scammers as a substitute for a diamond.
• Glass. Fraudsters primarily use borosilicate or quartz compounds, which are highly durable.
• Topaz. The most inexpensive natural analogue of a genuine diamond. It looks attractive and is often sold at a very low cost.

How to check the authenticity of a diamond in a store?

The main rule is that when buying a diamond in a store, you must be given a certificate. Each genuine stone has a unique number and specific accompanying documentation. This is a prerequisite for protection against counterfeiting. What else can you do right in the store?

• Use bright light. Hold the decoration up to a window or other light source and look closely at it. A natural diamond does not transmit light, so you will only see a small, brightly glowing dot inside the gemstone.
• Use a magnifying glass – a magnifying glass with at least 20x magnification. The natural structure of a diamond is imperfect, and you will be able to see certain inclusions and spots. The edges will look crystal clear.
• Estimate thermal conductivity – Hold the jewelry in your fist for a few minutes. A real diamond will not absorb your body heat. You can also use hot breath to check – unlike a fake, the precious crystal will not fog up.
• Study the refractive index: take out the magnifying glass again, but now try to read the letters through the diamond. If it is genuine, nothing will be readable due to the diamond edges.

Do you often buy diamonds? An excellent solution is Diamond Tester. This is a special device for checking authenticity and identifying counterfeits even at home.

How to test a diamond at home

If you need to recognize a fake or verify the authenticity of a precious crystal at home, do the following.

Examine the diamond by eye for any defects. A real diamond usually has clear and sharp edges without rounded corners, abrasions or chips. If the edges of the gemstone are rounded, this may indicate that you are looking at a fake. Use a magnifying glass. Under a loupe, a real diamond may have small inclusions or dark spots. The ideal state may look suspicious and be explained by its artificial origin.

Appreciate the play of light. Real diamonds are distinguished by their brilliance and ability to reflect light. If the glitter is too bright and rainbow-colored, you may have a fake in your hands.

Estimate thermal conductivity. To do this, hold the stone in your hand. If it stays cold for a long time, then it is real.

Another way is a test with printed text: if you have a diamond in a setting, try reading the text through its bottom edge. If the diamond is real, the text will be illegible.

When it comes to valuing gemstones, there is no escape from weighing. Compare the weight of the stone with the existing analogue. A real diamond weighs less than a fake one. For example, cubic zirconia will be heavier.

Do a water test. When immersed in water, the real stone remains visible. You can also find doublets in the water: the border between the glued stones becomes noticeable.

There is a valid “perspiration test”. On the smooth surface of a real diamond, perspiration disappears very quickly. If you breathe on the stone and notice that the perspiration persists, this may be a sign of a fake.

If home tests are not enough for you and you are still unsure about the authenticity of the diamond, contact a professional gemologist or jewelry laboratory. They will help you verify the authenticity of a gemstone or recognize a “dummy”.

How do jewelers determine the authenticity of diamonds?

To reliably determine the authenticity of a diamond, it is best to contact a professional gemological laboratory. Here the gemstone will be studied using high-tech equipment. Based on the results of the study, you will receive a certificate confirming its authenticity, quality and distinctive characteristics.

Here are the main indicators that allow us to determine in laboratory conditions the synthetic origin of a stone or significant differences in its chemical composition:

• Electrical Conductivity — allows you to determine artificial origin with high accuracy.
• Reflection coefficient – instantly detects counterfeit jewelry, but its accuracy is weakened by the presence of additional coatings applied to the crystal.
• Weight (for uncut gemstones) — when measured in a special solution, it reveals differences between types of minerals.

Stages of examination in laboratory conditions:

• Weighing a piece of jewelry or an individual stone with an accuracy of 0,0005 carats.
• Determination of material using thermal conductivity measuring instruments.
• Examination through an electron microscope.
• Placing a sample into a spectrometer to record the results.
• Assessment of cut quality (in comparison with the standard).
• Checking color under different lighting conditions.
• Fluorescence test using a long-wave ultraviolet lamp.
• Control assessment of cleanliness using a microscope.

Based on the actions taken, gemologists form a conclusion that will confirm or deny the authenticity of the diamond. This document also includes all physical parameters and definitions – from mass and dimensions to refractive index and other distinguishing characteristics. The document has legal force and can be used to resolve disputes through court.

Keep in mind: for detailed examination, the jewelry can be disassembled into its components.

What not to do when checking a diamond

Not all methods of testing diamonds for authenticity are safe. It is important to understand all possible risks so as not to damage the jewelry and not destroy its investment value. Let’s talk about the most inappropriate methods for checking stones at home.

Hitting with heavy objects
Do not hit the stone or try to cut the glass with it. The impact may cause the diamond to burst or break.

Sandpaper
Do not use sandpaper to test your diamond. It may contain industrial diamonds that can damage the surface of the precious crystal.

Hydrochloric acid
Do not use hydrochloric acid. This is dangerous both for your health and for the jewelry.

Heating at home
Do not heat the stone with a lighter or matches. This way you can distinguish only some types of imitation and fake.

Conclusion

When choosing a diamond, carefully examine it with a magnifying glass, conduct basic tests for thermal conductivity and light reflection, and request a certificate. If you have doubts about authenticity, seek gemological examination. It is better to spend a little more time testing it in a laboratory and make a great investment than to buy a fake and regret the purchase for a long time.