Introduction
Diamond is my all-time favourite item. Every girl sees a dream that his prince charming proposed to her with a diamond ring. But In the old days in India, It was uncommon. But currently, it has become popular because of international dramas. Again I just say that diamond is beautiful, but it is also unaffordable for middle-class families. They buy a diamond with their life-saving, and if it is a fake diamond, it's like a life treat. Not only for the middle-class family, but it is also important for all that we have to know the difference between a real diamond and a fake diamond.
Real Diamond vs Fake Diamond
The main difference between a real diamond and a fake diamond in our open eye is nothing. It's funny. But it is the bitter truth. We can't tell the difference between them. That's why we are easily mistaken for some natural gem (which is similar to a diamond) think diamond. However, we have some tests that simply you can tell the difference between real and fake.
Difference Between Real Diamond and Fake Diamond In Tabular Form
| Parameters of Comparison | Real Diamond | Fake Diamond. |
| Water test | Sinks in water | Float in water |
| Fog Test | The fog instantly dissipates right away. | The fog dissipates after several seconds |
| Setting & Mount | It is always white gold, platinum, yellow gold, pave or side-stone etc. | In setting you see a “C.Z.” stamp or engraving, the gemstone is a cubic zirconia. |
| Heat the stone | After cooling the stone remain same | Fake one is shatters or break |
| UV light test | Glow in blue colour | No effect |
| Newspaper test | You can’t read the newspaper through the diamond | You can read clearly through the stone |
| Dot Test | No reflection appear and can’t see anything through the stone | See a circular effect see the dot through the stone |
| Sparkle Test | Refract the light and colourful sparkles radiantly | White sparkle seen it |
What is Real Diamond?
If you look from a professional's point of view, a diamond is a diamond if it has a characteristic chemical composition and crystal structure. Diamond is composed almost entirely of a single element of carbon. It forms from high temperature and pressure that cause its carbon atoms to bond. Another mineral, graphite, also contains only carbon. But their formation process and crystal structure are very different, unlike a diamond. The result is that graphite is so soft, while diamond is so hard that unbreakable. We can scratch it with another diamond only.
This definition of diamond applies to diamonds that come from the earth, as well as those that are now created in a laboratory with high temperature and pressure. It does not apply to other materials that might disguise as diamonds.
So, when you ask a jeweller for a real diamond, there will be two types of a diamond, one created by nature or another created in a lab – since both materials are called a diamond. So we can just say that many Reputable jewellers avoid the term real diamond altogether and, following U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, clearly determine between natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and diamond simulants (or imitations).
What is Fake Diamond?
Fake diamond is also called diamond simulant. It processes similar diamond-like properties. A diamond simulant may be artificial, natural, or in some experiments combination of human. While their material properties like natural as diamond, simulants have certain desired characteristics—such as dispersion and hardness. So why they are called imitations. Trained gemologists with appropriate equipment can determine between natural and synthetic diamonds from all diamonds, primarily by visual inspection. A diamond simulant is quite different in durability, density, colour, optics, thermal, and electrical from the natural one. We all know that a real diamond is the hardest element in the world. We say that we can't beat nature so easily. Nature-created item is different and unique.
The Tests
Water Test
Let's find a drinking glass or a bowl. Then fill it with water. After that, drop the gemstone into the water. If the stone sinks, that means it's a real one. If it floats at the surface of the water, that means you got the fake one. We already know in our books in childhood that diamonds have high density. That's why diamonds always sink in the water. But every test has some fault like cheat side, cubic zirconia or glass also pretty heavy could pass this test.
Fog Test
Now we hold the diamond or ring between two fingers and breathe on it with a puff of air. Because of the moisture and heat in your breath, a light fog will form on the surface of the stone. If the fog dissipates instantly away, it means it's a real diamond. And if it takes several seconds for the fog to disperse, that means it is fake. We know that diamonds effectively conduct heat and also break up heat quickly.
Setting or Mount
If your diamond is already set in your ring, then you should look at the type of setting and mount of the diamond. Because of a diamond's large price, a real one will only be set in high-quality material. For example, always a real one will be set in materials such as white gold, platinum, yellow gold, pave or side-stone setting, halo setting rings, etc. If the setting material is truly described by the jeweller, then you should look inside the ring's centre. As an example, the notes 10K, 15K, and 20K indicates the type of gold used. The markings P.T. and Plat refer to platinum, and also, you see a number such as 685, 770, 950, 1070 etc., which indicate platinum or gold.
If you see a "C.Z." stamp or engraving, then the stone is cubic zirconia. That means not a real or fake one.
Heat Test
We know that diamonds are one incredibly stable materials, so we say that changing temperature couldn't easily affect their structural unity. So before starting a test, we just need a lighter and one glass of cool water. At first, hold the stone in front of a lighter and heat it for 30 seconds. Then immediately drop it into the glass of cool water. A real one has no effect by the instant changing temperature. But the fake one sinks into the water and is shattered in pieces.
Before you do this test, you should remember that if your diamond is original, then this test will damage your product. If you do this, it's totally your responsibility for the product.
U.V. Light Test
This U.V. test is generally done by an expert one. In this test, we have to place it under a U.V. light and watch the reaction. Most diamonds will glow blue-color, but this effect doesn't work for all diamonds. Some diamonds do not glow under U.V. light for some reason. So from these tests, we can't define the fake one on our own. An expert or jeweller can say that is the real result of the stone.
Because this test is not effective that much, so I suggest that you should ask for help from a diamond expert or jeweller to test the stone with their advanced equipment.
Newspaper Test
In this test, we test the diamond's refractivity. At first, we gently place the stone on the newspaper and then try to read the letter of any page through the diamond. In this test, we have to check the light l and check that no objects or people are casting a shadow on the diamond.
If you're unable to read the letters in the newspaper, it's a real one. And if the letters are able, then the diamond is a fake one. Generally, this test is most effective on loose diamonds. If the diamond is in its setting already, then I suggest the fog test or having a review by an expert.
Dot Test
The dot test is the alternative test to the newspaper test and also the easiest. In this test, we need paper and a pen. At first, we have to draw a small dot with a pen and put the stone on the dot with the flat side down. Then we look at the dot from the pointed end of the diamond onto the paper. If we see a circular reflection inside the stone, then the stone is a fake. However, if you can't see the dot or a reflection in the stone, then it's real.
A real diamond has powerful refractive qualities, and light will always bounce in different directions instead of a straight line. That's why we never see any word from the diamond.
The Sparkle Test
In this test, we just need a lamp or any source of light. Hold the stone under the lamp and watch with your eyes. If the light reflects with a colorful sparkle or reflection off of the stone. Then it's real. A real diamond reflects white light very beautifully with colorful sparkle, and fake one sparkle with white colour. You also test it in sunlight.
Before the test, when you buy a diamond at first, you should check a few things.
- A diamond should come with a grading report from a reputable laboratory like the Geological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS). This report will contain a lot of details like cut, clarity, color, and carat.
- If you're shopping offline, you'll be able to examine your stone easily. Make sure the jeweller shows you the diamond under magnification and from different angles. For online buyers, you should be extra careful.
Conclusion
Nowadays, we can't define the difference between real and fake diamonds with our open eyes. The simulant diamond is quite similar to a natural diamond. So this test may help you to define the difference. Every test has its cheat point, so as my suggestion, before buying, you should be asked help from an honest expert. It may help you to not become a fool and save your money.
References
- https://www.theknot.com/
- https://www.diamonds.pro/
