Real or Fake Testing - At Home Self Test


There are several simple tests you can try at home to check if a diamond is real or fake:

Water Test

  • Fill a glass with water and gently drop the diamond into it.
  • A real diamond will sink to the bottom due to its high density, while a fake diamond will float or remain suspended in the water.

  Fog Test

  • Hold the diamond or ring between two fingers and breathe on it with a puff of air.
  • A real diamond will disperse the heat quickly, and the fog will dissipate almost instantly.
  • If the fog takes a few seconds to clear, it might be a fake.

  Dot Test

  • Draw a small dot on a piece of paper.
  • Place the diamond flat side down over the dot and look through the top of the diamond.
  • If you can see the dot or a reflection inside the diamond, it's likely a fake.
  • A real diamond will not show the dot due to its refractive properties.

  Heat Test

  • Use a lighter to heat the diamond for a few seconds.
  • A real diamond will not be affected by the heat, while a fake diamond may crack or shatter.

  UV Light Test

  • Expose the diamond to UV light.
  • Some diamonds will fluoresce under UV light, while others won't3.
  • Note: Not all real diamonds fluoresce, so this test is not definitive.

  Scratch Test

  • Try to scratch a piece of glass with the diamond.
  • A real diamond will scratch glass, while a fake one will not.

  Check the Setting and Mount

  • Look at the metal setting of the diamond.
  • Real diamonds are usually set in high-quality metals like gold, platinum, or silver.
  • If the setting is made of a lower-quality metal, it might indicate a fake diamond.
  • SANDPAPER TEST
    • Riskier test* Acquire sandpaper and sandpaper the stone; make absolutely certain that it is regular sandpaper and not one that is covered with diamond powder.
    • Unscratched? It’s real!
    • Scratched? It’s fake…   
  • SCRATCH TEST
    • Scratch the stone against glass. 
    • Glass is scraped? It’s real!
    • Glass is unscratched? It’s fake…   
  • LOUPE TEST
    • Acquire a loupe (magnifying glass) & look for imperfections. Most diamonds have them but fakes look perfect.  Also counterfeit diamonds typically have somewhat rounded edges.
    • Some imperfections? It’s real!
    • Perfection? It’s fake…
  • SPARKLE TEST
    • Hold the stone in the light to observe its sparkle. Diamonds have high refractive index so they sparkle more than other materials.
    • Outdoors: it reflects rainbow colors? It’s real!
    • Indoors: it reflects rainbow colors? It’s fake…

  Professional Testing:

  • If you're still unsure, consider taking the diamond to a professional jeweler for a definitive test.

Remember, these tests can give you a good indication, but they are not foolproof. For a conclusive result, it's best to consult a professional jeweler or gemologist.