Just like any other expensive products, the 'fake' problem is rampant. Even in diamonds for engagement rings and wedding rings, the 'fake' issue is there. Don't give your loved one a fake diamond during your engagement or wedding. Know what the fake diamonds are to avoid buying one. Learn how to distinguish a fake diamond from a genuine one.



Here are some pointers to help you identify the fake diamonds:

• Some jewellers use zirconia instead of a genuine diamond. A zirconia is a white crystal. A type called cubic zirconia is the mostly used as a diamond simulant because it looks like a real diamond. To distinguish a zirconia from a genuine diamond, look through the stone. If you try to use a coloured paper, you will notice that the colour can be seen through a zirconia but not on a genuine diamond.



• To hide the fake diamonds in engagement rings and wedding rings, jewellers normally close the setting of the diamond so as not to expose its bottom. But real diamonds are oftentimes have their bottoms exposed.



• There are jewellers who use glass instead of genuine diamonds in making engagement rings and wedding rings. To distinguish the glass from a diamond, use a magnifying glass. If the stone in the engagement ring has a large number of air bubbles, definitely it is a glass and not a diamond.



• The diamond ring must have an authentic certificate from a certified gemmologist. If the certificate is fake, definitely the stone is fake as well.



• A genuine diamond is reflective. If the reflection is rainbow colour, the diamond is most likely fake. A genuine diamond will have grey and other greyish shade reflections.



• A fake diamond takes a few seconds to clear out fog while a genuine diamond clears instantly. So try breathing on the stone and see if the fog disappears immediately. If it does, then you are dealing with a genuine diamond but if it takes 2-4 seconds to clear, doubt it.



• When the diamond is set on a cheap metal, it is most likely fake. Genuine diamonds are usually set on pure gold or platinum.

It may be hard for someone not an expert on stones to make a clear distinct line that will separate the genuine diamonds from the fake ones but these pointers here will help practically anyone to avoid buying engagement rings or wedding rings with fake diamonds.