How to identify a diamond by eye?

Counterfeit diamonds are natural or synthetic minerals or other materials that superficially imitate a diamond by having one or more similar characteristics.
Since each counterfeit has its own optical, physical and chemical properties, we can distinguish them. We can call fakes fake diamonds. Counterfeits are fundamentally different from grown or synthetic diamonds, which, having exactly the same characteristics as natural diamonds, can be recognized, and not always, only in expensive laboratories.

A bit of history

Although there are hundreds of precious and semi-precious stones, the majority of counterfeits involve ruby, sapphire (they’re actually the same mineral, corundum, just different colors), emerald, and especially diamond. While well-cut glass, quartz and colorless natural sapphire (leucosapphire) have been used as counterfeit diamonds for many centuries, it was only in the early 1900s that synthetic colorless spinel and synthetic colorless corundum began to be produced.

Attention, there are natural spinel and natural corundum, examples of which are ruby ​​and sapphire. Some have comparable prices to diamond, but synthetic corundum and spinel have virtually no value and are manufactured to be used as fakes.

How to distinguish a diamond from cubic zirconia

Zirconium cube or cubic zirconia

Cubic zirconia was the best and most common diamond imitation between the 1970s and 1990s. Discovered in 1937 by German mineralogists, it was first artificially produced in the laboratory of the Physical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences (hence the name FIANit) in 1970. Natural cubic zirconia is yellow, greenish or brown and cannot in any way be used as a fake diamond. But after heating to 1900 degrees Celsius, cubic zirconia becomes transparent. The addition of certain elements and the high art of cooling make its optical properties even more similar to a diamond, which is why cubic zirconia is now the most common cheap fake diamond. The main way to distinguish cubic zirconia from a diamond is a thermal test, since a diamond has a very high thermal conductivity, while cubic zirconia has a very low one. However, cubic zirconia can be determined much more simply – using a regular ruler and jewelry scales. The specific gravity or density of cubic zirconia (5.65 grams/cm3) is much greater than that of diamond (3.51 grams/cm3). A 1 carat diamond has a diameter of approximately 6.5 mm. And cubic zirconia with a diameter of 6.5 mm has a weight of 1.6 carats. It should be noted that this method is applicable only to loose, unmounted cubic zirconia. Suppose you have identified cubic zirconia using a thermal test or weighing, everything is simple – do not buy it at the price of a diamond. And if you are convinced that this is a diamond, then the second question arises: is it natural or synthetic, that is, laboratory-made? This is impossible to determine not only for an ordinary buyer with conventional testers, but also for a gemologist who does not have access to expensive and regularly updated equipment from the most prestigious laboratories. Unlike the situation in the 1980-90s, when information that the client was looking at not a fake, but a diamond, was enough for a successful purchase, in the 2020s, in any case, in order not to overpay 5 or 10 times, availability is required diamond certificate from independent laboratories HRD, GIA, IGI or, in extreme cases, Moscow State University.

The best way to purchase diamonds with these certificates is to buy them on a diamond exchange from a broker who can deliver a stone with a certificate to the selected country, including Russia.

There is nothing more luxurious and popular than stone. For centuries, the diamond has been considered the most exquisite among other precious inserts. Unfortunately, fame brought him not only benefit, but also harm. Jewelry with diamonds began to be counterfeited en masse, and skillfully. Similar products continue to be sold on the international market. It is not so easy to distinguish a fake from a natural stone

Diamond history

According to legends, it is believed that diamonds began to be mined thousands of years ago. But this is not entirely correct information. For example, in India there was an opinion that the shape of a gemstone should not be categorically changed, otherwise it would negatively affect its magical properties. The first crystal cutting occurred in Europe (15th century). During the process, jewelers smoothed out all the irregularities on the stone and gave it shape. Traditionally, diamonds were sharpened, which made their cutting properties popular. Octahedrons are considered the classic model. During the Renaissance, jewelry with cut diamonds was in great demand. The craftsmen used the so-called “platform cutting”, which practically did not change the shape of the stone and was carried out on the upper and lower parts. But this type of processing was not popular for long. Over time, it was replaced by another – “round simple cut”. The main feature is the rounded shape of the stone. It became the predecessor of facet processing. The rose cut was also known. Its name comes from the shape of the stone – the diamond took the form of a rose with a pointed dome and a flat lower part. Along with it, there was a double rose cut. Jewelry with similar diamonds was used as earrings and additions to watches. Another interesting type of cut is “Mazarin”. New faces were added to the octahedral stones. It was believed that the famous French Cardinal Mazarin had 16 such stones. According to his will, they were given to the crown with the condition that they would be named after him. Such processing was rare because it required painstaking work. True aristocrats afforded such stones. Over time, experiments with jewelry stones began to be carried out in Europe. Craftsmen looked for new types of cuts and created interesting and unique products. Thanks to its own radiance and high cost, the diamond gained great fame in the world, which continues to this day.

How does a diamond differ from cubic zirconia?

1. A diamond refracts light. The sun’s rays pass through cubic zirconia beautifully.
2. Do not try to warm the diamond in your hand – it will remain cold. Cubic zirconia will gradually begin to warm up.
3. Try breathing on the jewelry. The gemstone will not react – the surface of the cubic zirconia will be covered with fog.
4. Take a close look at the edges. In a diamond they are sharper because it is a natural stone. Under natural conditions, minerals do not appear perfectly straight and therefore require cutting with sharpened edges.
5. Cubic zirconia does not tolerate aggressive chemicals and deteriorates under their influence – the diamond retains its natural radiance and other characteristics.
6. Cubic zirconia and diamond shimmer differently in the sun. The first one simply sparkles, the second one creates a rainbow glow.
7. Cubic zirconia bifurcates the sun’s rays, unlike diamond. This is clearly visible under a magnifying glass.
8. Try dipping a colorless diamond and cubic zirconia into clear water. The first one will disappear, the second one will sparkle brightly.

This can be done through various experiments. As an example, you can use animal fat. Drop a little onto the surface – on a diamond surface it will not change, but on a cubic zirconia surface it will spread.

In some cases, when an artificial stone is too good, a professional inspection using equipment in a jewelry workshop will be required. An experienced craftsman will recognize a real gem and tell you its cost.

How is a diamond different from glass?

When choosing jewelry, pay attention to the price. Synthetic and natural diamonds are not cheap, but the same cannot be said about their glass counterparts. If you have your eye on a product from an unverified seller with a surprisingly low price, be sure that this is a fake.

The price of diamonds is quite high, since diamond gemstones are rarely found in nature but are very popular and in great demand. High quality fakes will not be cheap either, as they require painstaking work.

Glass stone is easy to identify when viewed carefully. Simply remove it from the decoration and you will immediately see the glass. If you don’t want to separate the insert from the item, try immersing the ring or other jewelry in clear water. If it floats on the surface and has not sunk to the bottom, it means that in front of you is a cheap fake.

To avoid such an incident, remember: there are no cheap diamonds. The phrase itself sounds funny, although market sellers will assure you that the product is genuine.

The most reliable way is to take the jewelry to a jeweler. Tell the seller about this and watch his reaction. If a person is confident in the product, he will react calmly and with understanding. The other one will get nervous and try to convince you not to do it.

Companies that provide jewelry products vouch for the quality of the models and, if something goes wrong, they will definitely solve the problem to the benefit of the client, because reputation is at stake.

Particularly cunning ones pretend to be employees of well-known organizations and pass off counterfeits as real products. In this case, you can ask for documents or look for other evidence. For example, on the official website of companies, the addresses of all points of sale are often indicated so that the buyer can find them.

How to distinguish a diamond from rock crystal

Beautiful quartz crystals boast a diamond-like luster. Jewelers often use them as natural stone inserts for inexpensive jewelry. They look elegant and sell out quickly. A person who has seen a diamond at least once in his life can easily distinguish it from rock crystal (quartz crystals).

It’s enough just to see how the stones shine in the light. Diamond shimmers much brighter compared to quartz crystals. The latter is characterized by less transparency and milky color. An additional difference is the rapid wear of the stone. Its surface is covered with scratches, and the edges are not sharp compared to diamond ones.

If you are wondering how to distinguish a diamond from most other stones, take it and run the crystal across the glass. The diamond will leave a scratch on the surface. Only topaz can boast of such a characteristic.

But what you definitely shouldn’t do is leave marks on the stone with sandpaper. The fact is that on its surface there is a diamond coating (from artificial raw materials), which can damage a real diamond.

How to check a diamond for authenticity at home

Not all people want to take jewelry with stones to a jewelry workshop, so they carry out checks at home. Such methods are considered classic. The list of the most popular includes:

1. Checking under a magnifying glass. Examining the stone with this tool allows you to identify various defects, including scratches and splitting of light (as happens in the case of cubic zirconia). The features of a diamond can also be detected under a magnifying glass. For example, stones of natural origin are characterized by heterogeneity, while fake ones are flawless. Of course, there are stones with an ideal structure, but they are extremely rare.

Using a magnifying glass you can see the edges. Genuine diamonds have pointed edges, while fake diamonds have rounded edges. You can pay attention to the frame; in most cases it is made of gold or platinum. Cheap material indicates a fake stone.

1. Heat test. A diamond does not conduct energy; it remains cold no matter how you try to heat it. Moissanite successfully passes this test, so you need to be careful and use additional methods.
2. Reading through a stone. The diamond refracts light, so not a single line can be seen through it. The transparent fake stone will allow you to read the text without problems and will quickly heat up in your hand.
3. Light check. Many inserts shine with a rainbow from the inside, which misleads people. The diamond shines from the outside – on its edges you can see a rainbow and the play of the sun’s rays. They are refracted from the inside and do not pass through the stone.

A diamond amazes people with its sharpness, strength characteristics and radiance. This stone cannot be damaged mechanically, or when interacting with aggressive chemicals. Here’s another tip on how to identify a diamond without leaving your home. You cannot harm it with any detergent or knife blade. The exception is when the material contains diamond particles (as with sandpaper). They damage the gemstone, so it’s not worth the risk. If desired, a similar test can be performed with a steel blade or needles. Iron products also do not damage the diamond, rather the opposite: the edges of the diamond can leave marks on the steel surface.