Diamonds are a truly amazing creation of nature, pure carbon that has been compressed at tremendous pressure for millions of years, and are one of the hardest substances known to man.
Of course, diamonds are very valuable, yet unless you know what to look for, it is difficult to tell a genuine diamond from a piece of glass.
In this article we shall examine ways to check if a diamond is authentic, with the aim of helping you to make the right choices when investing in precious stones.
How to tell if a diamond is real
Diamond Certification
Every genuine diamond would have a certificate issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), or one of the other recognised diamond grading experts.
This document contains all the information about the stone. Including the 4Cs, which are cut, clarity, colour and carat. Never buy a diamond that does not come with certification.
Indeed, you can always buy from a specialist company that sells wholesale diamonds in Sydney or in your local area, which would save you some money.
The Fog Test
While we do not advocate buying any diamond without recognised certification, there are a few simple at-home tests that you can do, such as the fog test.
Hold the loose stone close to your mouth and breathe on it. If you see condensation immediately, the stone is likely a fake, as a real diamond hardly reacts to condensation.
This is because condensation cannot stick to the diamond’s surface. However, do remember that the fog test alone is not enough to ensure you are buying the real thing.
The Water Test
This is very simple; take a glass of tap water and drop the stone in. If it is a real diamond, it will quickly sink to the bottom, as a diamond is very dense, yet if it floats or hangs around somewhere in the middle, then it is not genuine.
Seek Professional Advice
There are indeed many home methods to check a diamond’s authenticity. But frankly, you should not rely on any of these, not with such an expensive investment.
Simply buy your stones from a recognised diamond wholesaler and insist on certification, then you can be sure that your diamonds are genuine.
If, for example, you are looking to buy a diamond engagement ring for your bride-to-be, it doesn’t cost anymore to buy the stones loose and have the ring custom made. There is also some information from the GIA on how to get a GIA diamond certificate, which is worth a read.
One of a Kind
Having a diamond ring custom made ensures that it is truly unique, something that every girl would love. If you know her taste in jewellery, you can have the ring designed along those lines.
Why settle for something that another designed, when for a reasonable price, you can have the ring designed from scratch?
It is always stressful investing in a valuable commodity if you don’t know much about it. It’s the reason why you should stick to a diamond certification from a respected authority. When you buy loose stones, always ask about certification.
SEE ALSO: THE TRUTH BEHIND BUYING WHOLESALE DIAMOND MYTHS BRILLIANT ADVICE ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT DIAMOND RING
