So how can you spot a fake diamond? With the millions of cons today, one has to be extra careful. Here’s an article that can help you avoid fake diamonds.
1. Learn about the 4 Cs
There are 4 diamond languages. The first C is carat weight. Diamonds have a unique weight measurement from other stones. The second C is color. Like form the movie “Blood Diamond” colored diamonds have different values. The third C is clarity. How clear is your diamond? It’s an indicator for genuineness. The last C is cut.
2. Buy only form reputable jewelry shops
Lessen your chances of being doped into buying a phoney by actually choosing a jewelry shop that has a name. Reputable jewelry shops protect their business interests by delivering the actual goods. The chances of them risking their credibility for selling fakes are low.
3. Inquire about the stone’s authenticity
Assess the knowledge of the jeweler who’s recommending the stone sale to you. Does he know what he is talking about? Does his talk match his walk? If he is suspicious and unsure, that’s a warning sign. Hold your wallet and take extra precautions with your dealings with him.
4. Check the clarity of the stone
Place the stone next to fine print like a newspaper or any article with small print. Try to read through the diamond. If you can, it’s a positive indicator that the stone you have is authentic. A blurred image is not a good sign. Beware.
5. Check your diamond for scratches
Diamonds are one of the hardest stones in the world. It’s almost indestructible and it’s very durable. Some actually use its properties to drill over hard surfaces. Your stone shouldn’t have scratches on it. Having scratches on it is a bad indicator.
6. Ask for a weighting scale
Stones like Moissanite which look a lot like real diamonds weight twice as much as a real diamond of equal size. Weight is a good measure to identify if the stone you are buying is a fake if you have a real diamond that’s of equal size for weight comparison.
7. Breathe directly over the stone
Ever wonder why jewel appraisers breathe over diamonds in movie films? Before I use to think that it was just to clear up the stone from dirt but it actually has a purpose. When breathing directly over a diamond, the foggy appearance should clear right away. A foggy appearance that lasts longer than 5 seconds is a bad sign that the stone is a fake.
8. Inspect the mounting and setting
Cheap stones are mounted on cheap substandard material. So try asking the jeweler if the setting is made of gold and how high is the karat. It should be at least 18K. Remember cheap things come from cheap material.
9. Does the jewelry shop offer a diamond certificate?
Genuine diamonds are authenticated with a certificate by the Gemological Institute. So when you purchase a diamond, ask for a certificate.
10. Have the diamond appraised
Get a second opinion. Have a professional evaluate your stone to confirm its authenticity.
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