How to Tell if A Diamond Necklace Is Real 

How to Tell if A Diamond Necklace Is Real 

Many people dream of owning diamond jewellery, but buying diamonds is not an easy undertaking. With all the nuances of diamond jewellery selection, it can seem like a confusing ordeal to the untrained eye. The decision making process starts with selecting what kind of jewellery you would like to purchase; for example, when you want to pick a diamond pendant, you’ll need to decide whether to purchase one from a specific store or design a custom diamond pendant that is uniquely yours.

Because diamond jewellery is a significant investment, the process doesn’t stop with the purchase, as you must also learn how to insure and clean a diamond pendant. At Holloway Diamonds, we are here to help you with all of this. In light of the increasing number of vendors in the diamond jewellery market, a common concern is how to know when a piece is real. Read on to find out how you can test if your diamond is genuine. 

At-Home Tests Without Any Special Equipment 

If you’re not familiar with the composition and structure of a diamond, you may fall into the trap of confusing a diamond with an entirely different stone such as a cubic zirconia or moissanite. This is why it is essential to know how to spot a fake, and you can conduct the following tests at home without any special equipment. 

The Fog Test 

Hold the mounted diamond between your fingers and breathe on it with a puff of air like you would to fog a mirror. A light mist will form on the diamond due to the moisture and heat in your breath. If the fog dissipates quickly, the diamond is real. If it takes several seconds for the mist to dissipate, the diamond is likely fake. Diamonds are highly effective at conducting heat and therefore quickly dissipate fogging. 

Check the Setting and Mount 

Because of their heavy price tag, real diamonds are always set in high quality jewellery. Stamps on the metals indicating real gold or platinum such as 10K, 14K,18K, 585, 900, 950, PT, Plat, are a good sign. A C.Z. stamp will indicate that the centre stone is not a real diamond—C.Z, stands for cubic zirconia, a kind of synthetic diamond. 

 

Expert Techniques to Test Diamonds 

While tests at home can be useful in determining whether your diamond jewellery is real, it is definitely advisable to consult an expert. Below are some of the techniques that certified gemologists use to ascertain a diamond’s quality. 

Using a Loupe 

A loupe is a specialised magnifying glass used by gemologists to inspect diamonds, gemstones, and jewellery. When inspecting a diamond, experts look for inclusions and blemishes. While a fake diamond is perfectly constructed, a real diamond will most likely have imperfections. 

Using a Thermal Conductivity Probe 

The evenly packed, tight crystalline structure of a diamond makes it an excellent conductor of heat. Because heat disperses quickly through diamonds, they heat up slowly and cool down quickly. If a gemstone disperses heat at a slower rate, the diamond is not likely genuine; however, synthetic moissanite stones are also effective conductors of heat, so this test will not be able to distinguish between real diamonds and moissanite. 

Using Electrical Conductivity 

A sure way for an expert to test a diamond is by using an electrical conductivity tester. Diamonds conduct electricity better than any other gemstone, including synthetic moissanite. Therefore, the electrical conductivity test can provide a clear sign as to whether the diamond is real or fake. 

Final Takeaway 

Although the aforementioned techniques can help you quickly ascertain the quality of your diamonds, it is typically a task that is best left to the experts. The most effective way to ensure you have real, high quality diamonds is to purchase them from a reliable and reputable vendor. At Holloway Diamonds, we invest only in natural diamonds and gems that are carefully examined and selected for our customers. Every diamond larger than 0.7 carats at Holloway Diamonds not only has a standard XXX GIA certificate, it also comes with an HCA and Ideal-Scope assessment–only then is it a true Holloway Diamond.