Fake Diamonds vs Real Diamonds. Diamonds are the hardest-known gemstones to occur naturally.
There are many diamond alternatives, which are sometimes referred to as “fake diamonds”, available to replace real diamonds or naturally obtained diamonds, mostly due to their high cost. Fake or alternative diamonds are categorized into simulated diamonds and lab-grown or synthetic diamonds.
The simulated diamonds are not lab-grown and they also have distinct features from natural diamonds. Examples of simulated diamonds are moissanite and cubic zirconium.
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are chemically made in the laboratory while mimicking the same properties and physical appearance as real diamonds.
A real diamond has very distinct properties and is very durable with a strong appearance. The edges of a naturally grown diamond are always sharp, and for the fake ones, the edges are very rounded.
This is one method of determining the difference between a real and a fake diamond.
What are Fake Diamonds?
Diamond counterfeits are widely available on the market, and many people purchase them without realizing they are not genuine. The prices of fake diamonds are vastly different from those of real diamonds.
Fake diamonds can be categorized as simulated diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, faux diamonds, etc. Below are some of the diamond alternatives that are sometimes mistaken for the real ones.
1. Cubic Zirconia
This is a synthetic diamond, and it is quite popular in the market as a substitute. Cubic zirconia is not as durable or as hard as real diamonds, but it is less expensive.
This diamond substitute loses its brilliance after a long time, and it scratches easily.
2. Spinel
Spinel comes in a variety of colors like red, green, blue, black, etc. It is a natural mineral that is often used as a substitute for diamonds due to its variety of colors.
3. Glass
The use of glass as a diamond substitute is because they are cheaper, although they scratch easily and do not sparkle like real diamonds.
4. Moissanite
Moissanite also known as silicon carbide, is a rare mineral that is created in the laboratory. This mineral and diamond are similar in appearance and sparkle when exposed to light.
5. White Sapphire
The white sapphires are used as a substitute because they have some sort of hardness that is a bit similar to that of the diamond. This gemstone is also durable, hence its use as a popular diamond alternative.
Properties of Real Diamonds
The demand for diamonds has not stopped and it continues to grow with time. This gemstone is a naturally grown hard material that is often used in jewelry making.
Here are some of the properties of identifying a real diamond.
1. Real diamonds are known to be a very hard substance, which cannot be broken into pieces easily. Checking for the hardness of the real diamonds is the first step to identifying the originality of your diamond jewelry.
2. Distinct colors: Diamonds are usually available in three distinct colors blue, yellow, and pink. When you buy a diamond jewelry item of another color, make sure to find out if it is a real diamond or a substitute.
3. Sharp edges: real diamonds have sharp edges, while a fake diamond or substitute would always have round edges.
4. They are opaque: real diamonds cannot be seen through, which means if you have a piece of diamond jewelry and it is placed on any printed surface, you will not be able to read what you see. For a fake diamond, you would be able to see through it.
5. Diamonds do not conduct heat: Diamonds are bad conductors of heat, and they do not absorb heat or feel hot after heating them. A fake diamond would absorb the heat and even shatter.
6. They do not scratch: diamonds are extremely hard gemstones, and even when used to scratch any surface, the diamond is unaffected. A fake diamond would show signs of scratches and may even break.
Benefits of Fake Diamonds
Diamond substitutes are common in the market presently, and people continue to buy them while knowing they are not real diamonds. Let’s look at some of the benefits of buying a fake diamond instead of the real one.
1. Price
Real diamonds are very expensive to buy, and this is why fake diamonds, like those grown in labs or simulated diamonds, thrive because they are cheaper. The fake diamonds are also readily available to purchase and are not in high demand with little supply, as is the case with real diamonds.
2. Easily Accessible
Fake diamonds do not need to go through the rigorous and long process of extraction as they can be lab-grown very quickly for sale. The simulated diamonds are also readily available in supply, and that is why they act as a substitute for real diamonds.
3. Quality
Fake diamonds are not entirely bad, as they can also withstand long wear. They may not be durable like real diamonds, but they can still serve their purpose while mimicking the appearance of real diamonds.
4. A Variety of Colors
Fake diamonds offer a variety of colors to choose from at affordable prices. Since real diamonds are usually scarce and offer distinct colors, fake diamonds satisfy the needs of people who want fancy jewelry.
Benefits of Real Diamonds
Diamonds are rare precious stones that are desired by those who can afford them due to their high cost of purchase. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of owning a real diamond piece in your jewelry collection.
1. Great Source of Investment
Real diamond jewelry is a great piece of investment that can sell at very high prices once you put it out. Since the demand is quite high, the value of a diamond piece increases with the years and does not depreciate.
2. They are Durable
Real diamonds are very durable because of their hardness. It is not as easily damaged or worn as its other substitutes.
Diamonds can also withstand heat and fire without becoming damaged. You can make use of them for as long as possible and also pass them on to your children.
3. It’s a Luxury Item
Diamonds are luxury items with a beautiful appearance and design. They reflect class on those who wear them and shine very brightly when there is light.
The diamonds announce their presence when in a room, bringing class and elegance.
Differences Between Fake Diamonds and Real Diamonds
The differences between the real and fake diamonds cannot be seen by just looking at them because they are made to appear similar, making it difficult to tell them apart. Some of the major differences between real and fake diamonds are:
1. Real diamonds have very little nitrogen in their constituents, while fake diamonds have no traces of nitrogen at all.
2. The fake diamonds are majorly grown in the laboratory under chemical conditions that mimic those of naturally grown diamonds. Fake diamonds are also other minerals used as substitutes for real diamonds.
Whereas real diamonds are carefully extracted from the earth’s crust before they are polished and cut into different sizes.
3. Real diamonds are heat resistant and cannot absorb heat, while fake diamonds can absorb heat as they are not made resistant to heat or fire.
How to Tell a Real Diamond from a Fake Diamond?
Diamonds are very great investments, and you would have to be careful when buying them so as not to be given a substitute instead of real diamonds. Hence, before you go out and pick up that gemstone, you should be able to tell if it is the real one or not.
There are many diamond replicas and imitations that may confuse you when making your purchase. Below are some of the tests that you can use to detect real diamonds apart from fake ones:
1. Scratching test
Because real diamonds do not scratch, the results of this test are very accurate. To carry out the scratch test, you can get a piece of glass and scratch its surface with the diamond.
If it shows a sign of scratch, then you have got the wrong diamond, but if it reveals no scratch at all, it means your diamond is genuine.
2. Water Test
The water test is carried out by dropping your diamond into a glass of water. Since diamonds have a high density, they would immediately sink to the bottom of the glass, but a fake diamond would float at the top of the glass due to its low-density rate.
This water test may not be very convincing for diamond substitutes with a high-density rate.
3. Heat Test
Diamonds are resistant to heat because of their strong nature. Place your diamond jewelry on a heated surface for a few minutes and then drop it into cold water.
If the diamond breaks, you know it’s a fake diamond, but if the diamond still retains its shape, it is a real diamond.
4. Transparency Test
Diamonds are known to be opaque, which means you cannot see through them. For the transparency test, place your diamond on a piece of paper with something written on it.
If you can read the letters through the diamond, it means that your diamond is fake. But if it’s impossible to read right through it, it means that you have a genuine diamond jewelry item with you.
5. The Sparkling Test
Diamonds can reflect light very well, and this allows them to sparkle and shine. To conduct the sparkle test, hold your diamond up to a particular source of light and if it reflects and shines brightly, it is a real diamond.
If it does not, the diamond is fake.
Is Simulated Diamond Good Quality?
Simulated diamonds are also a type of diamond substitute. Although they are not grown in the laboratory, they are natural minerals that mimic the appearance of a real diamond while having no chemical resemblance.
Simulated diamonds are good quality material if you want to get a diamond imitation. These are usually recommended due to their affordability and also their luster.
Simulated diamonds can be worn for a long period, but they are not as durable as real diamonds. Real diamonds certainly have more value than simulated diamonds, but they are attractive and also affordable.
Conclusion
Diamonds are rare gemstones that elude class, luxury, and elegance. They are a good source of investment and can be passed on to future generations after you.
Fake or substitute diamonds are very much available on the market, and they are quite affordable and more accessible than real diamonds. If you want to purchase a fake diamond, it is better to do your research on the type you want while considering its durability and physical properties.
