A diamond can be tested to tell if it is real using several methods. Common home tests include the fog test (breath fog should clear immediately on a real diamond), the water test (a real diamond sinks due to its density), and the black light test (real diamonds often fluoresce blue under UV light). Other checks include examining the stone under a magnifying glass for imperfections, looking at the sharpness of the cut edges, and how the diamond reflects light, producing brilliance primarily of white light rather than rainbow colors. For mounted diamonds, inspecting the quality of the setting and metal markings is useful, as real diamonds are often set in precious metals like gold or platinum. Professional diamond testers using thermal conductivity and official lab certificates provide the most reliable confirmation.
Here are some key ways to tell if a diamond is real at home:
- Fog Test: Breathe on the diamond; fog should clear immediately on a real one.
- Water Test: Drop a loose diamond in water; it should sink.
- Black Light Test: Look for blue fluorescence under UV light.
- Magnifying Glass Inspection: Look for natural imperfections or inclusions.
- Reflection and Sparkle: Real diamonds produce sharp, bright white light reflections, not dull or overly colorful.
- Setting Quality: Real diamonds are typically mounted in high-quality precious metals marked with hallmarks like 14K, 18K, 585, PT.
For definitive verification, visit a jeweler or gemologist who can use specialized equipment and certification.
