How to recognize a diamond

To recognize a real diamond from a fake one, with the naked eye, there are several tips. They can provide you with indications, arouse or confirm doubts, but be careful, they do not allow you to make a secure and certain identification.

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How do you recognize a diamond with the naked eye?

Before you see How to recognize a real diamond, it is important to remember that this very hard stone (Mohs scale: 10), and with its splendid brilliance, can only be authenticated with a Precious stone valuation by a professional gemologist. Or you buy a diamond with its laboratory certificate.

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For Recognizing a diamond with the naked eye, do the light test. It simply involves checking how the stone reflects light. This trick makes it possible to detect quite well the stones called Moissanites (SiC). It is less effective for zirconium oxides (ZrO₂), having a brilliance and a “fire” quite similar to diamonds. Fire is the dispersion of light into spectral colors, much like a rainbow. And with moissanites, it's more accented than real diamonds.

Les fake diamonds are mostly zirconium oxides, synthetic stones that are widespread and mimic the appearance of diamonds very well, but much cheaper.

Although popular, the fog test is the least reliable of all the small tests you can do yourself to recognize a diamond. Preferably use a magnifying glass, magnified 10 times, which can show you if the stone is damaged, in which case it is not a real diamond. Even if diamonds are very hard, don't try to scratch glass with a stone.

With a magnifying glass To the power of 10, already, you should see if there are possibly small inclusions, which is never the case with synthetic diamonds and often the case for diamonds. Same principle as for Recognize a sapphire.

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How do you recognize a rough diamond?

It is extremely difficult to Recognize a rough diamond of a synthetic diamond, because they are very similar. In fact, it is even more difficult than recognizing a real diamond cut from a fake. Use our service of gemology in Angers or Paris, and we can help you get a certificate, if you are in possession of a genuine diamond.

Good to know though: a authentic rough diamond is never symmetrically perfect, unlike some imitations. Real diamonds don't normally float in water or sink quickly, while fake diamonds are lighter, but it's not always a reliable method.

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How do you recognize a diamond on a ring?

To recognize a diamond ring, some find papers that allow the identification of materials, especially certificate of authenticity. Otherwise, the dispersion of light can sometimes dispel doubts, because it is really characteristic for an authentic diamond.

The stone seems to shine from within, with a beautiful light that gives the impression of impacting on all facets and then, depending on the lighting conditions, this takes on different aspects.

It is a magnificent phenomenon, as if animated, and that is what makes diamonds exceptional stones. But for Recognizing a beautiful diamond On a ring, or not mounted, a zirconium or another stone, synthetic or natural, it is better not to rely on its impression and to resort to expertise.