Is it Real? How to Tell if a Diamond is Real

Tips to help you spot a fake diamond online

Online thrift shopping for diamond jewelry combines the thrill of discovering one-of-a-kind jewelry finds with the convenience of shopping at home. However, if you don’t know the difference, you might buy a cubic zirconia or lab-grown diamond, thinking it is a natural diamond.

At GoodwillFinds, our team of experts carefully evaluate luxury items like diamonds to ensure our items are described as accurately as possible.

When you shop on an online marketplace where people list their own items, be careful. Make sure you buy real diamonds. Some sellers might mistakenly list an item without knowing if it is real, while others could simply be selling fake items.

How to ensure you buy a real diamond vs a fake diamond

Test for hardness

The best way to ensure a genuine diamond is to use a gem tester to measure the Mohs hardness. Developed by Fredrich Mohs around 200 years ago, the Mohs Scale of Hardness is a scale from one to 10 (10 being the hardest) based on 10 different minerals and gem materials s representing each of those numbers. A diamond has a Mohs hardness of at least 10. We test every diamond we list for sale on GoodwillFinds for hardness to ensure it is real. 

Look at the imperfections

You can also review the product description for the diamond. Look very carefully at the photos, zooming in as much as possible.

Most diamonds have very small black carbon inclusions, which form when the diamond develops. Natural diamond inclusions usually have a more organic shape. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds often have needle-like inclusions. 

Do the sparkle test 

Natural diamonds sparkle with white light exceptionally well. They can also reflect colored light. Lab-created diamonds reflect more colors than natural diamonds. You can see the difference with the naked eye. Simply look at the colors reflected in the diamond's sparkle.  

Know your diamond’s size

Diamond sizes are measured in carats, which is often abbreviated as CT. You might also see the abbreviation CTTW, which stands for carat total weight. The is the weight of all the diamonds in the setting added together. For example, you might see a diamond ring with one center stone and several stones on each side. If you see the weight designated as CTTW, it includes the weight of the center stone plus all the stones on each side of the band.

What is a lab-grown diamond?

Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same chemical structure and visual appearance. 

Lab-grown diamonds (also known as Moissanite) are graded according to the same size, shape, color and clarity grades as natural diamonds. They are certified by the Gemological Institute of America. The difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds is the process in which the diamond is made. Natural diamonds were formed in the earth over billions of years. Lab-grown diamonds are created using two methods, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).

Lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds

Natural diamonds are rare and limited in quantity, which makes them quite expensive. Lab-grown diamonds can be up to 50% less than a natural diamond, which can make it easier to afford a larger stone. 

Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in lab. Some consumers feel that lab-grown diamonds are a more ethical choice because they have a lower environmental impact.

Other consumers believe that natural diamonds have a higher value. In the end, the choice of a natural diamond vs lab-grown diamond is up to you. Both stones offer durability and brilliance.

What is cubic zirconia?

While cubic zirconia can look similar to a diamond, it is far less durable. Cubic zirconia is man made from zirconium dioxide. Diamonds are made of carbon. Cubic zirconia jewelry can scratch when worn daily. It might also develop a cloudy appearance after a few years. 

Buy diamonds with confidence

You can always be confident that you are getting items with accurate descriptions when shopping at GoodwillFinds or any other listing posted by Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago. Whether you choose a natural diamond, a lab-grown diamond, or another gemstone, you will look great. You can also feel good knowing your purchase helps support job training programs in the greater Milwaukee and Chicago area.