How to Recognize a Real Diamond?

If we inherit a diamond and wish to sell it, it's crucial to verify its authenticity, even if it’s a family heirloom passed down through generations. We can never rule out the possibility that it may be a fake. Even with an old certificate of authenticity, we can't be certain the stone is real, as it may correspond to a different stone that was lost over the years.

Selling an imitation as a diamond, even unknowingly, constitutes fraud. If the buyer realizes they’ve purchased a fake, we would be legally required to compensate them. So, how can we tell if a diamond is real?

Diamond: How to Recognize It?

There are various at-home tests that claim to help identify a real diamond.

• Water Test: When dropped into a glass of water, a real diamond will sink, while a fake one will float. However, this "test" goes against basic scientific principles—any object denser than water, whether a diamond or not, will sink.
• Breath Test: If you breathe on a diamond, it will fog up for a moment, while a fake will remain clear. Although this test is not reliable in any way, it originates from a gesture commonly used by gemologists. Sometimes, a gemologist will fog up a diamond with their breath to briefly dull its sparkle and assess its color. However, this is never done to determine its authenticity.
• Newspaper Test: When placed on top of small text, a diamond will prevent the letters from being seen, while a fake will allow them to show through. Unlike the other tests, this one has some truth to it, as a diamond, structured like a box of mirrors, indeed doesn't allow you to see through it when placed with the point facing up. However, it's still an oversimplification that doesn't take into account factors such as the stone's cut and size.

Even if we were to carry out these tests, their results cannot be used as proof of a diamond's authenticity. So, let's now focus on the proper way to identify a diamond.

Visual Inspection: What to Look For?

A visual inspection is definitely more effective than at-home tests for determining if a diamond is real, but it should be done using a 10x magnification loupe. Here are some key characteristics to look for.

• Cut and Sparkle: This refers to the diamond's defining characteristics—the cut and its brilliance. The test is performed by placing the diamond against a mirror so that one of its facets reflects the light. A real diamond, when positioned this way, will display what is known as "adamantine luster," an intense, sharp glow. Recognizing this, however, requires a trained eye and, more importantly, a point of comparison.
• Sharp Edges: Diamonds are extremely hard stones (ranked 10 on the Mohs scale). If, when viewed through a loupe, the edges appear worn down, it could indicate a fake. A diamond may have a chip, but typically, its edges remain sharp.

Looking into a stone is a fascinating experience, but to fully appreciate it, it's best done with an expert who can explain what you're seeing. Observing the stone through a loupe allows, among other things, the identification of potential flaws and inclusions. Even with an authenticity certificate, a skilled observer should use the inclusion map to ensure the certificate matches the stone.

How to Find a Reliable Gemologist?

Amateur visual inspection of a diamond cannot replace that of a professional. Therefore, whether buying or selling diamonds, it is essential to have a gemologist involved, as they are the only ones who truly know how to identify a genuine diamond.

A gemologist's training is extensive and completed through both study and experience. Therefore, the most reliable gemmologists are undoubtedly those who have been active for many years and have examined numerous stones. The evaluation must be conducted independently, free from commercial interests. The authenticity of a diamond is primarily assessed by Gemological Laboratories, such as GIA and IGI, which, for a fee, issue a document outlining the physical properties of the stone but will never provide an economic valuation.

Auctentic has a team of certified IGI and GIA gemologists who provide free evaluations of the stone, including identifying its market value. Additionally, unlike an auction house, which has long timelines and high commissions, Auctentic allows for immediate sales with no fees, keeping pace with the fast-moving diamond market.