Diamonds are highly sort after due to their rarity, delicate appearance, strong integrity and, once cut and polished, their brilliant sparkle.

With the increased use of man-made stones and moissanite in jewellery, it has become important to know whether you have an authentic diamond, in this article we will explor the different ways to test whether a diamond is real at home , experts ways to spot a fake diamond, how to know if a diamond is lab grown, and the best practices when buying a diamond.

What is a Diamond?

In order to know the difference between a fake diamond and a real one, you must first have the base knowledge on structural properties of authentic diamonds that give them their appearance and integrity.

Diamonds consist of at least 99.95% carbon atoms that have formed strong covalent bonds in a tetrahedral structure, also known as a ‘lattice’. In simple terms, each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms, forming connecting cubes. It is this structure that provides diamonds with their strength, as diamonds are known as the hardest naturally occurring material on earth.

The other 0.05% of elements found in naturally occurring diamonds are what affect the colour of the diamond, for example: yellow diamonds contain traces of nitrogen, and blue diamonds contain small traces of boron.

How are Diamonds Formed:

Natural diamonds are estimated to have formed between 1 billion and 3.3 billion years ago. The carbon atoms form covalent bonds under intense heat and pressure which are conditions that naturally occur deep under the earths crust. These conditions cause the carbon deposits that are found there to crystallize and form diamonds.

Once this transformation has occurred, the diamonds, the diamonds must be rapidly transported to the earths crust, which usually occurs in structures called volcanic pipes. These pips push the diamonds to the earth’s surface, where they are mined or carried away by nearby rivers and streams to later be discovered.

Now you have the base knowledge of what natural diamonds are and how they are formed, we can move onto how you can test them at home.

Density Test:

Drop the stones into a glass of water. Natural diamonds are have a very high density, and should sink to the bottom of the glass. Many fake stones have a lower density, and so will be seen to float at the top of the glass or stay suspending in the middle.

Fog Test:

Diamonds disperse heat almost instantaneously, so by fogging the diamond with your breath and seeing how quickly the fog dissipates, it can be a good indication of whether the diamond is real or not.

Fake diamonds will be fogged up for a couple of seconds, whereas real diamonds will remain clear and clean.

Check the Mount and Setting:

Real diamonds are very valuable, and their mount and setting should reflect that. The hallmark inside of the mount will indicate what metal it is made up of, no hallmark count indicate it is fake jewellery.

Also, the setting of diamonds is a delicate and precise craft that takes time and ski8ll, the if the prongs look weak and flimsy, or the stone in loose with no visible signs of wear, it could be an indication that the stone just isn’t that valuable.

Use this method in conjunction with the other to get a better indication of whether the diamond is real or not.

Inspect the Diamond:

Mined diamonds, or natural diamonds, usually contain small imperfections that are also known as ‘inclusions’. These are naturally occurring within stones that formed over millions of years in the earth, and although seen as imperfections, can also make stones more desirable among collectors.

They can take the appearance of clouds, feathers pinpoints and chips. Manmade stones usually don’t have these imperfections as they are made in sterile lab conditions, and any imperfections that do occur are usually to gem cutting errors.

Use a jewellers loupe to inspect your stone, and if you are in doubt, take it to a professional, most jewellers will give you their opinion on whether it is real.

How Experts Tell  if a Diamond is Real:

A professional in the diamond world will have a few more tools to determine diamond authenticity at their disposal than you would at home, especially with the recent advancements in technology.

Diamond Testers:

Diamond testers work by measuring the thermal conductivity of the stone and measuring how quickly the heat moves through it. Heat moves differently through diamonds than it would through moissanite, cubic zirconia and glass, and by placing the tip of the diamond tester on the stone, it will use a sound and light indicator to tell you whether the diamond is real  or not. They are one of the surest and fastest ways to test if a stone is real, and most established jewellers will have one on hand.

CVD Testers:

Also known as lab diamond testers, these use the reactions of the stone to UV and visible light to indicate whether the stone is natural or lab grown. Due to the slightly different processes and majorly different growth times, these stones will emit light differently when being scanned with these testers, emitting what is known as a ‘spectral finger print’. Professionals use this light reaction to determine whether diamonds are natural or lab grown.

The Best Practices when Buying Diamonds:

Buying diamonds can be a daunting process, especially with the rising use of lab growns. When shopping for natural diamonds it is important to shop around for reputable dealers that are able to obtained certificates for diamonds, and specialise in diamond jewellery.

At SMP, we supply certified diamonds at wholesale to jewellers all over the country, as well as wholesale diamond jewellery. To enquire about our diamonds and diamond jewellery, fill out an enquiry form or contact us here.