What Is Involved In Identifying Real Diamonds? How To Identify Real Diamonds
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/articles/1546/1/What-Is-Involved-In-Identifying-Real-Diamonds-How-To-Identify-Real-Diamonds/Page1.html
By Declan Tobin
Published on 24/01/2009
Identifying Real Diamonds – What Can You Do When An Expert Is Not Around? Diamonds are considered the kings of the gem world. No single stone is
sought after as much, or copied as frequently. The problem is, there
are many substances ranging from glass to zirconium that bear a strong
resemblance to a true diamond. So how to you go about identifying real diamonds and How to Identify Real Diamonds?
While most people don't face these kinds of questions every day, identifying real diamonds is something that may come up once or twice in your life.
It is the way of the world, and has been since the early days of commerce. Once something good shows up on the market, someone shows up with a counterfeit. It's true of art, fashion, watches, electronics, even movies. And it's certainly true of gems, particularly diamonds.
Diamonds are considered the kings of the gem world. No single stone is sought after as much, or copied as frequently. The problem is, there are many substances ranging from glass to zirconium that bear a strong resemblance to a true diamond.
So how to you go about identifying real diamonds and How to Identify Real Diamonds?
Like art, only an expert can say for sure whether or not a diamond is real. Unless the stone is serialized and has a reliable certificate of authenticity, you will need to take you doubtful gem to a reliable diamond expert for a positive id.
(Identify Real Diamonds - Diamonds Always Sink)
Man made diamonds are created in the laboratory from the same material (carbon) as natural diamonds. In many cases, it is difficult or impossible to tell them apart, even for an expert. That is why certification, from the mine to the setting is important.
But on the bright side, while you may not be able to certify the real thing, you can often find the phonies.
Put the stone in water. Diamonds always sink. Some counterfeits will float.
Look at the stone under a strong glass. If it has a lot of surface nicks and scratches, it is not a diamond. Diamond is the hardest substance in nature. It doesn't scratch easily.
Diamonds are crystals, and crystals bend light. (Think of the quartz prisms that you saw in 4th grade science class.) Diamonds have one of the highest refraction levels of any crystal. That means that light will bend at a sharper angle through diamonds than most substitutes. By looking at objects though the stone, if you can see it, it's not a diamond.
(Identify Real Diamonds - Real Diamonds Bend Light)
While identifying real diamonds is best left to experts, test tips will help you weed out the obvious fakes.
It is the way of the world, and has been since the early days of commerce. Once something good shows up on the market, someone shows up with a counterfeit. It's true of art, fashion, watches, electronics, even movies. And it's certainly true of gems, particularly diamonds.
Diamonds are considered the kings of the gem world. No single stone is sought after as much, or copied as frequently. The problem is, there are many substances ranging from glass to zirconium that bear a strong resemblance to a true diamond.
So how to you go about identifying real diamonds and How to Identify Real Diamonds?
Like art, only an expert can say for sure whether or not a diamond is real. Unless the stone is serialized and has a reliable certificate of authenticity, you will need to take you doubtful gem to a reliable diamond expert for a positive id.
(Identify Real Diamonds - Diamonds Always Sink)
Man made diamonds are created in the laboratory from the same material (carbon) as natural diamonds. In many cases, it is difficult or impossible to tell them apart, even for an expert. That is why certification, from the mine to the setting is important.
But on the bright side, while you may not be able to certify the real thing, you can often find the phonies.
Put the stone in water. Diamonds always sink. Some counterfeits will float.
Look at the stone under a strong glass. If it has a lot of surface nicks and scratches, it is not a diamond. Diamond is the hardest substance in nature. It doesn't scratch easily.
Diamonds are crystals, and crystals bend light. (Think of the quartz prisms that you saw in 4th grade science class.) Diamonds have one of the highest refraction levels of any crystal. That means that light will bend at a sharper angle through diamonds than most substitutes. By looking at objects though the stone, if you can see it, it's not a diamond.
(Identify Real Diamonds - Real Diamonds Bend Light)
While identifying real diamonds is best left to experts, test tips will help you weed out the obvious fakes.