Emerald Ring Net

Getting a professional to test the diamond is the simplest solution to the problem of determining whether a diamond is real or fake. With new better fake diamonds available, it is more and more difficult to identify a real diamond even for a professional with a jewelers' loupes.

While that may be true, there are still things that have to be considered and followed. If you are thinking of buying a diamond already in a setting, examine the setting and look for a metal stamp inside the band that will show the grade of gold, i.e., 10k, 14k, 18k, or Pl (platinum), as if you see these markings indicating a quality setting, it increases the odds that the stone mounted in it is real.   

If you have a powerful magnifying glass or a jeweler's loupe, examine the girdle-band and edges of the cut stone. One way to tell if it is not real is to look at the edges, if they appear soft and have a rolled appearance than you can be sure it is a fake. So does a clear, waxy-smooth girdle at the place of meeting and changing direction of facets around the stone's belly.

Also you can use the loupe to look inside the stone for damage or nicks. It's hard to replicate these features, which are naturally occurring and very elaborate at the microscopic level. Minor flaws that are all to commonly allowed through cannot be easily spotted by an amateur, and natural diamonds are most valued when they are least flawed.

A common indicator is weight. Many of the materials that are used for fake diamonds are actually heavier or lighter than the real thing. In particular, the most well known fake diamond, cubic zirconium, is heavier. In order to compare diamonds, you require a precision scale and samples of real diamonds.

It is a bad idea to use your diamond to cut glass. Any metals present could be affected by any testing that utilizes acids. If you smash a diamond it will crush like any other crystalline substance.  If it is a diamond, and you breath on it, the moisture will disappear too fast for you to see it; whereas, with a fake, it won't. It's only a hint and even that is not fail proof. Be careful about composition diamonds, which have a base of one material and a table top made of diamonds, this will pass a diamond tester, but be relatively worthless.

Always remember to have a professional appraisal done so that you'll know the diamond isn't a fake. That is why extra caution should be used when choosing a new jeweler, and each new gem or stone should have come with a certificate of authenticity. (stones are individual and documentation goes a long way in establishing its nature). When you put your trust in a reputable, professional jeweler, who works with reliable sources, you will find a person who can be relied upon for a quality grade of appraisal, help in making a selection and reliability.   

Not making any negative generalizations, but be quite cautious when having a stone appraised at a chain jewelry store.   Businesses such as these demonstrate the pros and cons of ass produced distribution and manufacturing. Chain jewelry stores while competent in themselves still will not give you the expertise of a higher end store or assessment business.

Make sure to take the time to learn the background, licensing, and experience of the assessor after checking online or in the yellow pages for advertisements. In order to get the best ring for you, you need someone experienced to guide you and that would be a jeweler who has experience in dealing in stones, someone who is a good business person and has a license to certify his experience.

Request that you be allowed to observe the testing of any stone you bring in. (to discourage switching the product by less than honest jewelers) . If you are turned down, turn around and just walk out. Request complete documentation if purchasing a stone. Regardless of your choice, you will need to understand that even the pros have difficulty in determining if a diamond is real or not, sometimes even looking at them two or three times.