Clutches for Less

Brought to you by diamond solitaire engagement rings in cushion cut.

The surest method to determine  if a diamond is real or not is to go to a professional for an evaluation. It takes more than a jewelers’ loupe for clever amateurs to assess a stone. Even trained professionals are finding it difficult to determine a “real” diamond.

There are some regulations of the thumbs.. If you purchase an already set diamond, look at the bands metal stamp (10k, 14k, 18l, Pl, ect.), as using a precious metal band increases the chances that the ring’s creator used a real stone as well.

If you have a powerful magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe, examine the girdle-band and edges of the cut stone. One way to tell if it is not real is to look at the edges, if they appear soft and have a rolled appearance than you can be sure it is a fake. You can also achieve this effect using a clear, smooth girdle at the junction of the facets around the heart of the stone.

Use a jeweler’s loupe to check the stone for minute fractures, little flecks, and inclusions. These can be very difficult to imitate because they are created naturally and they are very unique. Natural diamonds are most valuable when they have the fewest flaws; unfortunately minor flaws, which are often allowed through, cannot be easily spotted by an amateur.

Generally, weight may be utilized as a normal indicator for those types of things. Substitutions for real diamonds use many materials that are heavier or lighter and the most common substitute, cubic zirconium, is actually a bit heavier than the real gem. You need a precision scale and few genuine diamonds to be able to compare them.

Keep glass away from your diamond to avoid scratching. Any metals present could be affected by any testing that utilizes acids. Don’t give in to your curiosity and try to smash a diamond because it will crush because it is a crystalline material.    Just fog the stone. A pure diamond shifts the heat very fast to clear the stone before you can see it. Thats a small hint, no more, and its far from fail proof. In terms of true worth, and proving comparatively valueless, composition stones that have the base of one material and a table of diamond, will “pass” the test.

A jeweler can tell you whether or not you got ripped off when you bought your “diamond”. That will mean you have to choose your jewelers carefully, and then ask them for paperwork for each gem. (stones are individual and documentation goes a long way in establishing its nature). To get a correct and fair appraisal, a professional jeweler, can be a reliable and helpful source, as long as he has good sources for his information. 

Not making any negative generalizations, but be quite cautious when having a stone appraised at a chain jewelry store.  Mass produced manufacture of broad distribution shows both strength and weakness. Managers of these stores are often talented and honest men and women with honest supporting staff, but very few have the advanced training of managers and employees of higher grade jewelry stores or assessment businesses.

After you’ve found an appraisal service by searching online or in the yellow pages, make sure you thoroughly vet the assessor by looking at his or her experience, licensing and background. The best indicators of a skilled jeweler, is someone who is licensed, a journeyman from a traditional trade program, or someone who used to be a stone dealer.

Whenever you bring in a stone you are well within your rights to ask that it be tested under your supervision. to avoid unscrupulous jewelers changing it out  . If you are turned down, turn around and just walk out. You can ask for complete documentation if you intend to buy a stone.. Regardless of your choice, you will need to understand that even the pros have difficulty in determining if a diamond is real or not, sometimes even looking at them two or three times.

For more please see oval diamond engagement ring and Solitaire Princess Cut Engagement Rings.

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