While buying diamond jewelry, you'll probably see some specimens being offered at unbelievable prices. There's a good chance that at least a few of them aren't real, though. There's nothing wrong with fake diamonds, and some couples like them better, but you should never pay real diamond prices for fakes.

There are lots of different ways to fake a diamond. Many of them are beautiful gems in their own right, but if you want a diamond, don't be taken in by them. If you understand the different types of diamond look alikes, you'll learn how to spot them and when you're looking at the real deal.

Moissanite - This is a very rare mineral that looks like a diamond, but it's chemically and physically quite different. This diamond fake isn't as common as some of the others, as its rarity means that moissanite sold as itself can cost more than natural diamonds.

Cubic Zirconia - This common substitute for natural diamonds looks similar but is heavier and less costly.

Artificially Made Diamonds - These real diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural stones, but shouldn't be sold as natural diamonds, since they were made in a lab. They're a lot cheaper than good natural diamonds.

Faceted Crystals - Cut glass is sparkly and attractive, but lower in quality and much more fragile than the real thing. These crystal stones could crack or shatter in a ring.

The four characteristics that help guide you in finding out whether a diamond is real and what quality it is are called the four Cs. These are cut, color, carat and clarity, and learning about them will help you keep from being fooled by unscrupulous jewelers.

You should only work with jewelers you trust, and whose reputation is good. They should be able to tell you in detail about your diamond and answer detailed questions.

When examining a diamond for quality, don't forget to look at the setting. These expensive gems won't be placed in a loose, crooked, or badly made setting, and if yours seems low quality, the stone probably isn't real, either.

While you're looking, see if there's damage on the stone. A diamond is a hard gem that doesn't scratch or scuff easily. It reflects light in gray or neutral tones - rainbow sparkles are for fakes.

Is the stone transparent enough? Turn loose diamonds upside down onto a piece of paper with printing on it. If you do this, you shouldn't be able to read text through the light dispersion of a real stone.

Don't be afraid to look at your diamond closely, through a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass. Real stones are well defined and cut, with fake stones often being asymmetrical or otherwise badly made. The thin girdles of real diamonds are faceted, too, with some designed types bearing numbers in this area to identify them.

Use the fog test on suspected fakes, too. Diamonds disperse heat rapidly, meaning that if you fog the diamond with your breath, it vanishes fast. Imitation stones remain fogged for a while.

Post from: Jewelry Diamonds And Gems

Tips For Spotting A Fake Diamond