Do Lab-Created Diamonds Test As Real?

Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds in terms of physical and chemical composition. Many people wonder if a lab grown diamonds can test as real. While they might test as a real diamond when using certain techniques, they might not pass a few tests. Here are different ways of assessing a diamond that might help you understand how testing diamonds works and what you can expect.

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How To Find If A Diamond Is Real Or Lab-Made

There are various ways in which you can determine if a diamond is real or lab-made, which involves certain tests and checking the certificate for the color and imperfections of a diamond. Here’s more about it.

• Color

One good way to tell a fake diamond from a real one is to check the color of the diamond. If you have purchased a diamond from G to Z color ranges, you can check for its color with your naked eyes. When viewed from the side, real diamonds generally have a faintly yellow or brown color. However, fake diamonds like cubic zirconia and moissanite are colorless. It is recommended to check from the diamond’s sides as even real diamonds with hints of yellow and brown may look colorless from the top. The reason why it is nearly impossible to differentiate a fake diamond from a real one in D, E, and F range of colors is that these diamonds don’t have any visible color.

• Clarity

Another means of finding out if a diamond is real or fake is through its clarity grade. If you have the certificate of your diamond, you can check for the clarity grade to check the inclusions and blemishes in your diamond. Clarity grading on the certificate has a map of inclusions for diamonds weighing over 1 carat. Based on the certificate, you can look for inclusion at the locations mentioned in the report using a loupe. You can also bring your diamond to a jeweler to get it checked. Lab-grown diamonds are free from inclusions and blemishes, which makes it easier to test a diamond using this method.

• Two Common Testers Used By Jewelers

Since every type of stone has a unique chemical structure, it would react differently when tested for certain natural phenomena. This principle can help identify real diamonds. Testers generally use two tests to check if a diamond is real or fake, which are as follows-

• Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity is used to measure the speed at which heat travels through the diamond and the amount of heat that passes through the stone. The tip of a tester made to measure the thermal conductivity should be placed on the surface of the stone to measure the rate of heat passing through the stone. Diamonds have the highest thermal conductivity. However, other stones and fake diamonds (except for lab-grown diamonds) do not have the same degree of thermal conductivity, which helps check if the stone is an authentic diamond. However, moissanite has a very similar interaction with heat, which means it might pass off as a real diamond.

• Electrical Conductivity

Much like thermal conductivity, testers made to determine the electrical conductivity of stones can measure the speed and amount of electricity that passes through the stone. Electrical conductivity tests are specifically useful in telling a real diamond from moissanite as they interact differently with electricity, unlike a thermal conductivity test which may mostly fail to distinguish moissanite from a real diamond.

Do Fake Diamonds Pass the Diamond Tester?

Before elaborating on whether fake diamonds pass the diamond tester, it is crucial to mention that lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds as they share the same physical properties and chemical makeup as real diamonds. One major difference between these two types of diamonds is that, while real diamonds are formed in the earth, lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab. While certain types of lab-grown diamonds may pass certain tests, such as thermal and electrical conductivity tests, their origin, whether in a lab or in the earth, can be clarified by viewing inclusions.

Since diamonds found in the earth are exposed to various natural phenomena, they have imperfections. These imperfections make your diamond unique and prove their value. However, lab-grown diamonds are grown in perfect conditions and there’s no way for them to develop these imperfections. However, while some people like to refer to lab-grown diamonds as fakes, they can’t truly be called fake diamonds because of their properties. A truly fake diamond that is only made to look like diamonds and not to match a diamond’s physical and chemical properties cannot pass diamond testers for thermal and electrical conductivity.

Read more: Why Princess Cut Engagement Rings are Becoming Popular?

Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Serial Numbers?

While lab-grown diamonds may also have a serial number, trusted labs such as IGI and GIA mention if the diamond is lab-grown or natural. You can check the girdle of your diamond for the serial number. However, you might need a loupe because the serial number is not visible to the naked eye. If a diamond does not come with a serial number, it is best to not invest in it because there’s no way to tell if the diamond is real or fake.

Is It Possible To Fake a GIA Certificate For a Diamond?

GIA certificates are one of the ways to identify the authenticity and value of a diamond. However, it is no surprise that some people might present a fake GIA certificate when they can’t get on legitimately. GIA certificates, pretty much like money, have unique holograms, micro-print lines, and security screens. These days, people use photoshop to make certain changes to the certificate to make it look authentic. While it is possible to fake a GIA certificate, there are several ways to also check the authenticity of the certificate to be safe from scammers.

One good way to find out if or not the certificate is real is by using the report number. Every GIA certificate has a unique report number. While it is relatively easy to fake the certificate itself, sellers cannot fake a report number. When you request to check the report number, you will know exactly how authentic the certificate is, because the report number of every GIA certificate is stored in their database.

Where to Find The GIA Certification of a Diamond

Many sellers give a GIA certificate for the diamonds they sell. One of the convenient and easy ways of obtaining a GIA diamond grading report, diamond focus report, diamond dossier report, or diamond origin report is by approaching a fine jewelry retailer as they are qualified to obtain and explain the content of GIA reports.

Bottomline

People prefer buying lab-grown diamonds rather than investing in mined diamonds primarily because lab-created diamonds are almost 40 to 50 percent less expensive than their natural counterparts. However, one of the major concerns that buyers have when doing so is if the diamond would test as a real diamond. While lab-grown diamonds may not have the same resale value as mined diamonds, they have the same physical and chemical composition as real diamonds. Therefore, if you’re buying diamond jewelry that shines brilliantly and looks elegant, lab-grown diamonds are just as ideal an option as real diamonds.

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