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How To Determine A Fake From A Real Diamond

By: Ian D Wright


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Let us be specific and brief. Get a professional to check up a diamond and find out if it is a real one. It takes more than a jewelers' loupe for clever amateurs to assess a stone. Even trained professionals are finding it difficult to determine a "real" diamond.

These are some hard rules to follow. If you purchase an already set diamond, look at the bands metal stamp (10k, 14k, 18l, Pl, ect), as using a precious metal band increases the chances that the ring's creator used a real stone as well.

If you have a jeweler's loupe or a high magnification hand magnifying glass, look at the edges and girdle-band of the cut stone. One way to tell if it is not real is to look at the edges, if they appear soft and have a rolled appearance than you can be sure it is a fake. So does a clear, waxy-smooth girdle at the place of meeting and changing direction of facets around the stone's belly.

Use a jeweler's loupe to check the stone for minute fractures, little flecks, and inclusions. These were created naturally and are difficult to copy. Minor flaws that are all to commonly allowed through cannot be easily spotted by an amateur, and natural diamonds are most valued when they are least flawed.

Generally, weight may be utilized as a normal indicator for those types of things. Substitutions for real diamonds use many materials that are heavier or lighter and the most common substitute, cubic zirconium, is actually a bit heavier than the real gem. With a few diamonds and a professional quality scale, you can do some tests to compare the different cuts and quality.

Keep glass away from your diamond to avoid scratching. Any metals present could be affected by any testing that utilizes acids. You should not try to smash a diamond, it will crush just like another crystalline substance and a lot better than some of them. If it is a diamond, and you breath on it, the moisture will disappear too fast for you to see it; whereas, with a fake, it won't. But that is a mere hint, no more, and is far from fail proof. Composition stones, with a base of one material and a table of diamond, will "pass" the test while proving comparatively valueless in terms of true worth.

When you want to know for sure if the diamond is truly real, you must have someone reputable give it his opinion of it. You must not only choose your jewelers but also ask for documentation of each gem. Each stone is unique and the documentation can go a long way to establish your stone.. A professional jeweler, working with trustworthy sources, would be dependable, helpful, and capable of ensuring you an absolute grade of appraisal.

Although chain jewelry stores are reputable firms, you may wish to consult a gemological laboratory when you desire an independent appraisal. These example businesses show the positive aspects of mass production and distribution as well as the negative aspects. These stores are usually well run and honest, but what they lack is training and expertise.

To find these check the yellow pages or online for advertisements offering appraisal services, and then take the time to learn the background, licensing, and experience of the assessor. A licensed jeweler, a good journeyman in a traditional trade program, a former stone dealer -- these are good indicators of skill.

Be sure that they test the stone in your presence if you are bringing it in. to avoid unscrupulous jewelers changing it out . Turn around and walk right back out if you are refused. If buying a stone, ask for full documentation. Regardless of your choice, you will need to understand that even the pros have difficulty in determining if a diamond is real or not, sometimes even looking at them two or three times.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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