How can you tell a fake diamond from a real one?

It is not always easy but here are some pointers that may help.

Firstly ensure you deal with a reputable dealer. It is the height of foolishness to 'buy' a diamond from a 'mate' or someone you know or one advertised in a newspaper perhaps. Also do not buy diamonds unseen. You certainly have no way of knowing if a diamond is real if you cannot yourself inspect it.

Ask the dealer if the stone you are looking at is a real diamond. He should be able to tell, if he cannot find one who can. This is not an area to make mistakes in. You can go further and ask if the stone is a genuine diamond, a cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Check the setting and the mount. A genuine diamond will usually be set in quality metal such as gold or silver. Zirconia are cheaper than diamonds of course so an inferior setting may betray the stone.

Check for any scratches, nicks on the stone. A diamond is extremely unlikely to have any of these but a zirconia is no where near as hard so subject to wear and tear.

Any reputable jeweler will be able to tell a fake from a real diamond. You should ask the jeweler if you can look through their loupe yourself.

All diamonds should have a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or a similar reputable organisation. The GIA, the largest impartial diamond grading authority in the world, issues a grading report after it examines the diamond and details it specifications. In addition the stone should be appraised by an independent appraiser such as one associated with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). The certificate should indicate the value and characteristics of the stone.

Sometimes a zirconia is actually mounted in a good quality setting of 18 or more karat gold or platinum. In this case you definitely need to consult an experienced jeweler as it will be difficult to asses if the stone is a fake diamond or not.

The other material, moissanite, is even more difficult to tell from the real diamond. Moissanite is only worth one tenth the value of a diamond but is virtually indistinguishable and it takes a real expert with special equipment to be able to tell the difference.

It is important therefore that in any diamond purchase you ensure you have a certificate and an official appraisal of the stone to establish its authenticity as a genuine diamond and also for any further sale or valuation as well as for insurance purposes.