5 ways to spot a fake diamond

One of the most common questions that gemologists are asked is how to tell the difference between a real diamond and a fake stone.We spoke with Reyne Hirsch, a 20th-century decorative arts expertandconsultant for theglobal online marketplace Lofty, about how to tell when a diamond is real, and when and why to take it to an expert.Whether it's with jewelry you inherited or something you found at a garage sale, it's easy todo a few simple DIY tests.That necklace you think is justcheap costume jewelry couldend up costing a small fortune.Here arefive easy ways to tellif the stone you have isactually a diamond.SEE ALSO:15 essential terms everyone should know before buying their first watchA loupe is a magnifying glass that you can buy at any jewelry store and will let you take a closer look at your gem and setting."When you're looking at a diamond, there are a few things you'll notice," Hirsch told us. "First, the majority of diamonds are made in nature so that means you're going to see someimperfections in the carbon. A fake stone would be perfectabsolutely perfect."Hirsch explains that certain lab-grown stones will also look perfect through the loupe, and so you should be cautious before discarding perfect gems. It can be a clue, however, that you should take a closer look or bring the stone to an expert.Second, observe the diamond's edges. "When you're taking a look at a diamond through a loupe, a real stone is going to have sharp edges, and a fake stone will have rounded edges," Hirsch explained.Lastly, look at the mounting and etchings, especially any marks that signify what metal was used. "If the metal is gold-plated or silver, chances are it's not a diamond, because why would you put a nice stone mounted in such a cheap metal'" Hirsch said. "Most diamonds are mounted in gold or set in platinum.""Also take a look at the mounting itself and how that diamond is set," she added. If the setting looks like its of poor quality, that probably means its not going to be a real diamond either.This is an easy test, since diamonds are one of the world's hardest materials and won't be scratched by the rough surface. "If it's a diamond, it will remain perfect. If it's a cubic zirconium, it will scratch it up," Hirsch said.Breathe hot air on your diamond the same way you would if you were fogging up a bathroom mirror."A fake diamond will fog up for a short period of time, whereas a real diamond will not because it won't retain the heat," Hirsch explained.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Click here to read full news..