How can I see if a diamond is genuine?
|
My honest answer: You can NOT!
-
You need to be an expert and use specialized equipment to make sure a diamond is real.
- Do not trust ideas like scratching a beer bottle (it may damage the diamond too),
thermal conductivity (Moissanite conducts equally well),
looking through, comparing weight, etc.
- If you can not easily find inclusions under a 10 times magnification you should become suspicious, most likely it is not a real diamond.
But be aware of the fact that some gas bubbles in cubic zirconium may appear like inclusions if you do not look carefully.
- If the diamond is accompanied by the original certificate (from HRD, IGI or GIA) you will know it is real and you will know in addition if it is treated artificially or not.
Can you give me some purchasing advice?
Here are my buying tips:
- Purchase at a reliable diamond dealer (get suspicious if he/she is not on the same address at least five years).
- Avoid tourist traps in foreign countries, the so called 'diamonds' you are purchasing are just glass or zirconia.
- Never buy a diamond above 0.4Ct without a certificate from HRD, IGI or GIA.
- There are price differences, a jeweler store has a 50-150% mark-up to compensate for ie. rent, security and personnel; however bargains do not exist in the open market of the diamond industry, if you get offered a diamond at a very low price you can be sure there is something wrong!
|  | 
|
|
