‘Diamonds are forever’ is something you often hear people say when they are thinking of buying jewelry. These gems hold more than just monetary value; they symbolize love, commitment, or cherished memories. They have great emotional significance and often represent a heartfelt choice, so you need to make sure that you are purchasing an authentic diamond. Moreover, with many people wanting diamonds that are conflict-free, it has become important to check that the diamond is coming from a responsible source. 

Take this as your go-to guide on how to check if a diamond is real. We will learn more about the visual characteristics of genuine diamonds, simple at-home tests to identify how real your diamond is, and reliable professional methods you can use for authentication. 

Key Characteristics of a Genuine Diamond

Let’s understand the attributes that can help you tell if a diamond is real: 

• Brilliance: Real diamonds reflect light uniquely. They exhibit a strong white light return, which is called its ‘brilliance,’ and show a light grey sparkle in dimmer lighting. This is different from other stones that often emit flashy rainbow effects. 

• Inclusions: A real diamond usually contains tiny imperfections or inclusions, which are internal flaws and external blemishes. A flawless stone is extremely rare and valuable, so remember to get it checked professionally if it is being sold at a lower price; many cheap alternatives can also come without inclusions.

• Sharpness and Structure: The edges of a diamond’s facets should be crisp and well-defined. A genuine diamond has highly precise and sharp geometry, and if it looks overly smooth or rounded like glass, it is mostly an imitation. 

• No Glass-Like Look: Look for a metallic and icy appearance when you are looking for a real diamond; fake gems usually have a glassy or oily sheen. 

What Counts as a Fake Diamond?

Often, materials such as the following are passed off as diamonds: 

• Cubic Zirconia (CZ): This is the most common fake diamond, but CZ is heavy and refracts lesser light. It sparkles differently and has a rainbow hue. 

• Moissanite: This is a high-quality alternative. While it is more convincing than CZ, it can be distinguished by a trained eye. It tends to emit more rainbow-colored flashes and is electrically conductive, unlike real diamonds. 

• Glass: These are usually very easy to distinguish; glass stones can chip or scratch easily and usually lack brilliance. 

Can You Spot a Real Diamond Just by Looking?

Here are some visual clues you can look for to confirm if a diamond is real: 

• Magnification: Use a jeweler’s loupe (that gives 10x magnification) to inspect a diamond. Look for tiny flaws and sharp facet junctions. 

• Facet Precision: Genuine diamonds are cut with extreme precision. Check if the facets are sharp and aligned. If they look blurred or uneven; it is likely fake.

• Rainbow Flashes: Real diamonds also reflect mostly white and grey light. If the diamond reflects a vivid rainbow color, it is mostly a fake. 

Easy At-Home Tests to Check Diamond Authenticity

Flashlight Sparkle Test

Shine a flashlight on the stone. A real diamond will emit a concentrated, sharp sparkle; mainly white light, while a fake one will scatter the light. 

Natural Sunlight Test

When kept in direct sunlight, a genuine diamond reflects strong white light with minimal rainbow dispersion. Overly colorful light indicates that the diamond is fake. 

Mirror Readability Test

Place the stone face-down on a newspaper. If you can read the text through the diamond, it is likely not real. Genuine diamonds refract light so strongly that anything kept under it cannot be seen clearly. 

Jewelry Setting Clues

Real diamonds are usually mounted in high-end metals like gold, platinum or white gold. Look for stamps like ‘14K’, ‘18K’ or ‘PT.’ A cheap setting is often used to hold imitation stones.

Water Test (Sink or Float)

Drop the loose stone in a glass of water. Diamonds are dense and heavy, usually sinking to the bottom. A fake diamond, like CZ, either floats or falls more slowly. 

Fog Breath Test

Breathe on the stone to fog it. A real diamond will disperse heat quickly and clear up instantly, while a fake one will stay foggy for a few seconds longer. 

UV Fluorescence Check

When kept under UV light, many diamonds glow blue. If your stone glows any other color or does not glow at all, check it against certification to get a clear distinction between real diamond v/s fake diamond. 

Paper Dot Visibility Test

Draw a small black dot on a piece of white paper. Place the flat side of the diamond over the dot. If you can see the dot clearly through the stone, it is likely not real. 

Note: 

These home tests can suggest that a diamond might be real, but they do not provide certainty. For a definitive answer, please consult a certified gemologist. 

The Most Reliable Ways to Verify a Diamond

For absolute certainty, you can use the following trusted verification methods: 

• Certification Reports: Always ask for a grading report from recognized institutions like the IGI (International Gemological Institute). These reports include information on color, carat, and any fluorescence or inclusions. 

• Diamond Tester Devices: Many professionals also use devices that measure thermal or electrical conductivity to distinguish a real diamond from a fake diamond. The former will disperse heat faster and is not electrically conductive. 

• Microscopic Examination: A gemologist will check for internal characteristics, symmetry, facet precision, and possible laser inscriptions. 

• Weight and Density Comparison: Imitation diamonds can sometimes differ in weight compared to real ones, either being slightly heavier or lighter. Get the stone evaluated by a professional for a better understanding. 

Final Thoughts: Trust the Experts for Diamond Verification

While visual checks and home tests can offer some useful clues, the only way you can know if your diamond is real for sure is by getting it professionally evaluated. A certified diamond comes with verifiable grading reports that outline the stone’s unique features and confirm that it is authentic. 

Always choose to buy your diamonds from trusted and reputable jewelers like Finerock. Offering a wide selection of fine jewelry crafted with high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds, and IGI certification (with an extra cost). Whether you're shopping for an engagement ring, wedding band, necklace, bracelet, or earrings, you can feel confident knowing you're purchasing a genuine diamond you can truly trust.