Practical recommendations from professionals on how to choose a diamond, distinguish it from a fake, a selection of photos

When the buyer is faced with the question: “How to choose a diamond?”, then the fundamental aspect is the absolute preciousness of this stone. It is still unpleasant to buy a fake at the price of a real cut diamond. Often, cubic zirconias, zircons, white topazes, rock crystal, leucosapphires, spinel, rhinestones are given out as a diamond. There are also cases when a synthetic diamond was passed off as a real cut diamond.

In order not to get into trouble, you need to know a few important facts about diamonds and the methods used by even the most famous collectors.

Characteristics of a diamond

Diamonds are called cut diamonds, which are formed at a depth of 100-200 km, where the temperature reaches 100-1300 degrees and the pressure is 35-50 kilobars.

80% of the world's top quality diamond deposits are mined in Angola, Russia, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

The main parts of a diamond:

• platform - the upper face, perpendicular to the axis of the diamond;
• crown - the upper part of the diamond;
• pavilion - the lower part of the diamond;
• girdle - a line separating the crown and pavilion;
• The culet is the lowest point of a diamond.

The unit of measurement for a gemstone is the carat.

1 carat is equal to 0.2 g.

Carat - carob seeds, having a constant mass of 0.2 g. Used to measure weight since ancient Rome.

True diamonds are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• processing (cutting);
• the weight;
• color;
• purity.

Cut

Processing, or as it is also called, cutting, is considered one of the fundamental aspects when choosing jewelry. Only after the correct cut can a diamond be called a real diamond.

There are several types of cuts for diamonds:

• round;
• marquis;
• emerald;
• Princess;
• pear.

A more classic option is the round cut with 57 facets (KP57). It applies only to large specimens of at least 0.300 carats. The rest of the cuts depend on the original shape of the diamond. There are several types of cut: A, B, C, D, where A is considered the highest.

The weight

There are the following categories of stones, different in weight ratio:

• small - up to 0.291 carats;
• medium - up to 0.991 carats;
• large - from 1,000 carats.

More popular options are stones in the range of 0.300 - 0.900 carats.

The smallest specimens in carat ratio are used for making earrings and necklaces; small - rings and rings.

Color

It is believed that a true diamond is transparent, but there are also color variations of this stone.

International classification of cut diamonds by color:

• Colorless (most expensive) - D, E, F.
• Colorless with a subtle yellowish tint - G, H, I, J.
• With a slight yellowish tint - K, L, M.
• With a yellow tint - N, O, P, Q, R.
• Yellow - S-Z.

Purity

The term "clarity" refers to the quality, which indicates the number of inclusions in a diamond. There are external, superficial (spots) and internal (blotches).

There are 11 levels of clarity for a diamond, ranging from the most perfect to the most flawed. It is best to choose stones up to level 7.Crystals of levels 8-12 have a lot of cracks, so it is not recommended to purchase them.

In world practice, the clarity of diamonds is determined using a 10x magnifying glass.

How to check

At home, it is very difficult to determine whether a real diamond or a fake is very difficult.

If you do not have much experience and specialized equipment, then it is best to seek the advice of a specialist. If there are doubts about the preciousness of the stone, it is necessary to pass it for examination, which will give an answer to all the exciting questions.

First you need to evaluate the cost of a diamond - such a crystal a priori cannot be cheap. At the moment, the price for a gemstone of 1 carat varies from 8,000 to 10,000 rubles. In addition, you need to add the price for the metal edging the diamond.

It must also be remembered that platinum or gold (white or yellow) becomes predominantly a setting for high-grade diamonds. Silver serves as a frame only for low-quality precious crystals.

A real diamond must have an appropriate quality certificate, which lists all its properties.

Of great importance is how the gemstone is fixed in the frame. If the pavilion in the decoration is not visible, then you have a 100% fake. True diamonds are not attached in this way due to the fact that in this case it is impossible to see the stigma.

Next, you need to take a closer look, with the help of a magnifying glass, at the stigma. If there is a “CZ” mark there, then this indicates that cubic zirconia was used instead of a diamond. The “LG” mark indicates that this is not a natural, but an artificially grown stone.

With the help of a magnifying glass, you can determine whether ordinary glass is issued for a cut diamond.Rock crystal or glass is softer in structure and has smoother edges. In a gemstone, they are more sharply defined.

A true diamond, unlike cubic zirkonia, shines with an even silver color.

A very simple way to distinguish a diamond from semi-precious stones is the method of refraction. If a beam passed through a stone splits in two, then it is definitely cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Other Ways to Check a Real Diamond

• Enough to breathe on the diamond. If condensation is released on the stone, then this is an unambiguous imitation. There will be no marks left on a true diamond.
• Dip a diamond in water, if it is invisible, then it is a true cut diamond.
• The mass of the stone must correspond to the volume according to the table. A diamond is twice as light as cubic zirconia.
• A real diamond is more durable than its semi-precious counterparts. On each of them, a cut diamond will leave traces.
• If you lower the stone for a few minutes in boiling water, and then abruptly shift it into cold water, then cracks will appear on the glass or cubic zirconia, and a real cut diamond will remain unharmed.

Which method is strictly forbidden to use when assessing the value of a diamond.

There is an opinion that if a crystal is heated under an open fire, it will remain the same as before. This opinion is wrong! In this case, the diamond is guaranteed to burn.

Astrologers say that representatives of the fiery signs of the Zodiac will be best in contact with a diamond. But in the modern world, anyone can find an ally in it.

A photo