The decision of buying a diamond is a big one and an emotional one too. And therefore before signing the final contract; one must be exactly sure about the authenticity of the diamond. If it is a real one or a fake one and whether it is the best bang of the buck or not. Today we will get to know how to test a diamond at home
Nowadays; in the jewelry market, diamonds have several looks alike and counterparts. Which may seem real to the naked eye. But if tested by a professional would come out to be a fake one and that, would simply be a disaster. Some extremely similar natural counterparts to diamonds are the colorless zircon, topaz, and sapphire. Some of the lab-grown gems, like GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet), CZ (synthetic cubic zirconia), and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) along with the moissanite are also gems. Which look exactly similar to a diamond and may just fool everyone even some of the pros.
With all these names and variations in the mind; one must be wondering if it is possible to know about the realness of a diamond or not. The expert in the industry has always suggested that one must have the proper knowledge and conception. About the subject before they decide about purchasing a diamond. Now it is not right if we tell that all these substitutes are worthless and have no value to them. Some of these substitutes indeed have a bit of value to themselves. But there are also the other ones that are worthless.
When it comes to the real one, it must be said that. Some qualities about them cannot be replicated or be faked by these counterparts.
How To Test A Diamond At Home?
Before we start with the tips and tutorials about how to check if a diamond is real or not using certain home-based methods; one needs to differentiate between loose and mounted diamonds. As the results of the tests that we are about to discuss will vary according to the state of the diamond; i.e. whether it is set or loose.
It is easier to test a loose diamond for any form of flaws that it might have as mounted diamonds often hide the potential cracks or flaws that they might have. Mountings also make it difficult to assess the stone’s exact color and clarity; as they reflect light into the diamond. Hence, it is best suggestion to one that they should ask the jeweler to remove the stone from the mounting before it is checked and tested thoroughly.
Now, we come to the main point; how to test a diamond at home to check if it is real or not. Below are suggestion some of the basic steps. By which one may assess the authenticity of the diamond he or she has or is going to buy:
1. With The Help Of A Magnifying Glass:
One can check the diamond that they have under a magnifying glass. It should be checked closely and should be looked for any kind of imperfections that it might have. If no such imperfection or flaw is found. Then sorry to say but the diamond is most likely to be a fake one. The majority of natural diamonds have some form of inclusions to them. And the ones that are flawless are either lab-grown or are of a very high price.
2. With The Help Of Water:
This is an easy trick. One needs to drop the diamond into a glass filled with water (devoid of the fact about what type of water or glass it is). If the diamond is a real one, then it should sink completely to the bottom of the glass. Due to its high density, but if by chance it floats at the top or in the middle; then it is most likely to be a fake one.
3. With The Help Of A Loupe:
A loupe is a tool that is used by jewelers to look up a gem closely. It is a bit different from the magnifying glass being that its lens frame is of a more conical shape. And it does not have any handle attached to it. Using a loupe; one can look at his or her diamond very closely and thus can inspect it for its clarity and purity.
It should be noted that if a diamond seems flawless, it does not mean right away. That it is a fake one as nowadays, the lab-grown diamonds are typically made flawless. As they are created under professional jurisdiction. This also suggests that such test results are not an absolute one. And one should get a professional to get full-on proof about their stone’s purity.
If one doesn’t have one, then they need not worry. As loupes are available both in the local and online markets at effective price ranges.
4. With The Help Of Fog:
This one is also very simple to do trick and can be done by anyone. One should fog the diamond up placing the diamond in front of their mouth and exhaling on it. If the diamond is a fake one; then it will stay fogged for a few seconds or less, but if it isn’t then there will be no such formation of fogginess on it. This is because the surface of a real diamond does not tend to attract any form of condensation formation on them.
5. With The Help Of Black Light:
For this test, one needs to have access to a black light them. After getting the light, one must place the diamond in front of the black light. It is also necessary that no other light source is present during the time of the test. If such is done, the real diamonds will reveal a medium to the strong color of blue. If any other fluorescence rather than blue (like green, grey, or yellow) is noticed. Then it is a clear indication that the diamond is a fake one.
But, this is not an ultimate and conclusive test as not all diamonds have a blue fluorescence to them.
There it is, at home a diamond test one can try out to check their diamond’s authenticity. But then and then again, it is suggested that all these tests are merely experimentation. And does not denote any form of absolute decisions. If such evaluation is required, it is best recommended to take the stone for a professional look-up. And trust them according to their specific judgments about it.