In 1949, Marilyn Monroe ended her iconic song moment in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by stating that “Diamonds! Diamonds! I don’t mean rhinestones! But diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” While the lyrics became an anthem of 50s glitz and glamour, Miss Monroe wasn’t too far off with her opinion on the importance of genuine stones.

The Best Methods

It’s no secret that diamonds raise the price of a piece of jewelry through the roof. Therefore, acquiring one is quite the investment, which is why you will want to ensure that your money goes to the right place. Here are the five best methods of testing a diamond to establish whether it is authentic or not.

1.    Diamond Tester

The regular consumer buys perhaps one or two diamonds during his or her lifetime because it is quite the costly endeavor. But when you purchase the precious stones regularly, investing in a failsafe method to test their authenticity is essential. And what’s better for that if not a diamond tester? Many people mistakenly believe that a diamond tester is rather expensive, but that is hardly the case. There is something to suit every budget out there. The cost-effective ones retail for as little as 15 dollars, while premium gadgets will go for 100 dollars a pop or more. And for something that is more middle of the road, be prepared to spend between 30 and 50 dollars. But before making the purchase, you first need to find out how to choose the best diamond tester. In order to spend your money wisely on such a device, you need to go for something that is efficient on both polished and unpolished stones. Furthermore, the tool should ideally have a clear and easy to read display so that you interpret the results accurately.

2.    Jeweler’s Loupe

Using a magnifying glass to analyze a diamond is certainly tempting because of the accessibility the method has. But if you want to produce a more thorough expertise, you might want to consider purchasing a jeweler’s loupe. The cheaper models retail for 5 dollars per piece, while more advanced options go for as much as 20 dollars. Nevertheless, they tend to be a lot more affordable than a diamond tester, but they are also less reliable. The purpose of the loupe is to analyze a stone and notice if it has any imperfections or mineral discolorations. Naturally mined diamonds tend to exhibit these in their structure. However, some rocks nowadays are lab-produced, which means that they are also clear and flawless. The lack of defects doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dealing with cubic zirconium. Thus, if you are unable to detect this by yourself at this point, you might want to get a second opinion from a licensed professional.

3.    Breath Test

Analyzing the authenticity of a diamond using the breath test is the oldest trick in the book. Real diamonds dispense heat immediately, which means that they won’t remain foggy. Instead, they instantly become transparent. Cubic zirconium and other imitations, on the other hand, cloud up quicker than a rainy October day. Therefore, all you have to do is hold the diamond up to your mouth with its flat surface facing it directly. Then, blow onto it and observe what happens next. If it clears up immediately, you’re in luck because you’re holding a real stone. However, if it doesn’t behave accordingly, you might want to look for a new retailer.

4.    Glass of Water

Another easy and classic way to assess the genuineness of a diamond is by dropping it in a glass of water. Due to their high density, real ones will sink to the bottom. On the other end of the spectrum, diamond simulants will float most of the time. Even though this method might not be the most accurate one, it’s a pretty valid way to make a preliminary determination. Of course, this will only work if you have a loose diamond on your hands. Needless to say, mounted ones won’t deliver accurate results with this particular method. If your purchase involves a ring, a pendant or anything else where the rock is encrusted onto a gold or platinum base, then you will have to think of something else.

5.    Newspaper

When you have a larger stone, the newspaper method is an excellent way to put its legitimacy to the test. All you have to do is place it on top of it, or any other publication for that matter. Because real diamonds refract light in an endless pattern, you won’t be able to read the writing underneath. Cubic zirconium rocks, or other simulations for that matter, are clear as crystal, and you will be able to see right through them. What is more, they might even have magnifying effects. And if you don’t have anything printed lying around, simply draw a dot or write something on a piece of paper yourself. It will work just as well.

Conclusion

The most accurate ways to determine the authenticity of a diamond is by using specialized tools. A diamond tester is always preferred, but a loupe might do just as well if you’ve got a keen eye. Nevertheless, if you don’t want to approach things like a professional jeweler, you can also try out some of the more traditional tests. It’s all up to you.