How To Spot A False Diamond

It is a fact of life that not everyone can afford diamond engagement rings. These gemstones are famous for being expensive and are beyond many a couple’s budget. Some of these couples, of course, make do with different and no less appealing types of stones, but others, however, may look for bargain diamond options. These types of less affluent couples are the perfect targets for false diamond scams.

In fact, not all the stones topping diamond engagement rings are authentic. Unlike other precious stones, diamonds can be created artificially, in a laboratory environment, so it is important to know whether the stone you are buying is ‘real’ or not. Fortunately, this is not a hard thing to do at all. There are a number of easy ways to tell false diamond engagement rings from real ones. This article will explain them to you so that you are on your toes when that seemingly unbelievable bargain appears.

The first thing you might try when testing a diamond for authenticity requires a sheet of glass or sandpaper. Real diamonds will leave a scratch on any of these surfaces, so if the shiny stone you are holding does not so much as make a dent, you may want to reconsider your purchase. Alternatively a magazine will do the trick, and if you are able to read the print through your ‘diamond’, return it to the vendor. A real diamond will distort the print and make it impossible to make out.

If these little tips have not convinced you one way or the other and you are still wondering if that stone you bought is real or not, there are a number of more specialised tests that you can run. For instance, real diamond engagement rings will not show up in an X-ray, so if anyone you know happens to be a radiologist, you can ask them for help. Similarly, you can try weighing the stone against another type of gem and compare their weights, as a real diamond should be lighter than your average alternative gemstone of the same size.

Finally, you may buy a jeweller’s loop, which is a simple instrument used by professionals to evaluate diamond engagement rings for colour and clarity. A near-perfect diamond, which should be perfectly clear and colourless, is hard to come by, so if the one you are holding has these characteristics you may want to remain vigilant about its authenticity.

In short, there are a number of relatively simple ways to tell real diamond engagement rings from phony ones. You just have to know what to spot and how to spot it.

Laura L Bolick is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From diamond engagement rings to princess cuts and engraved bands, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.