How to Tell if a Diamond Is Real

Before you begin shopping, make sure you know how to tell if a diamond is real. To avoid being fooled by an imitation, put your trust in a reputable diamond buyer. You can learn about a diamond’s authenticity through a certification report and an inspection by an experienced diamantaire, such as our owner Joshua Fishman. All of our diamond certifications come from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which follows strict grading standards. Certification details provide information on a diamond’s weight, measurements, and other properties. Today there are man-made diamonds, cultured diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and lab created diamonds. And sometimes natural diamonds will be cosmetically enhanced. If you want a natural, non-enhanced loose diamond, we’re here to assist you. Of course, it can help to understand that a cubic zirconia stone weighs more than the same size diamond, or that a glass stone sparkles less. However, to know if a mounted or loose diamond is real and has value, you should trust A. Fishman & Son.

Identify the Differences Between Real and Fake Diamonds at Home Before You Buy

Understand the sparkle in your hand. Learn to identify and spot the differences between real and fake diamonds. Real diamonds have unique characteristics:

• Breathe on a clean diamond. If the fog clears immediately, it’s probably real.
• Check for tiny diamond imperfections called inclusions. They’re often missing from fakes.
• See a genuine diamond reflect gray shades, rather than rainbows.
• Check the mounting. An imposter may be set in an inferior one.
• Hold a loose diamond over a typed paper. Can you see the print? It’s not real.

With our extensive experience, A. Fishman & Son will help you identify the exact differences between real and fake diamonds. Give us a call with your questions.

Be on the Lookout for Synthetic or "Lab Created Diamonds"

An even more problematic situation arises in the case of lab grown diamonds vs real diamonds. All such "diamonds" are, by law, supposed to be identified as such. In fact, the International Gemological Laboratory (IGI) issues "certificates" which identify such "diamonds" as "laboratory grown." These synthetic diamonds sell for about 35% less than natural diamonds (the "real thing"). The problem with these "laboratory grown diamonds" is two-fold:

While these types of artificial diamonds will sell for just a little less than the "real thing," their value for resale is non-existent. No diamond dealer will buy these back from you or take them as a trade in. And the sellers (including the creators) of these diamonds will also refuse to buy them back from you beyond their 30 or 60 day refund policy.

Many of these laboratory grown diamonds and other synthetics are being marketed without disclosure, leaving you, the consumer, at great risk. The New York Diamond Dealers Club has just (June 2012) issued a warning about this.

Your best protection against being "taken" is to consult with an experienced diamantaire, like A. Fishman & Son, who can help you navigate the treacherous waters of synthetics and fake diamonds.