How do you tell if a diamond is real or fake?
There are several methods to ascertain whether a diamond is genuine or fake – although many of them are not totally reliable. The most commonly held view is if the diamond scratches glass it has to be a real diamond. But we need to remember that diamonds do scratch glass but so do a lot of the other fakes in the market. 
It is said that if you flip the diamond upside down and place it over some newsprint and can clearly read through the stone, it certainly is not a real diamond. The shortcoming with this test is, you can even read through some real diamonds if cut too shallow. There are those who believe in the fog test. Put the rock in front of your mouth and fog it like you would try to fog a mirror. If it stays fogged for 2-4 seconds, the diamond is a fake. A real diamond disperses the heat instantaneously so by the time you look at it, it has already cleared up. Then there is the weight test. The most popular variety of fake diamond is cubic zirconia (CZ). CZs weigh approximately 55% more than diamonds for the same shape and dimension. If a diamond is heavy, you can certainly suspect its genuineness.
You can subject the diamond to a ultra-violet test. A high percentage of diamonds emit blue when put under an ultra violet light. Since almost all fakes do not, we can conclude that a medium to strong blue would indicate a diamond. But this method may also prove you have a diamond which is worth less. Diamonds with blue fluorescence are as much as 20% less valuable. Remember, lack of blue fluorescence proves it is not a fake but it could just be an ordinary quality diamond.
Using the magnifying lens, you can find out some on the stone that might establish its genuineness or otherwise. Study the rock from the top and see how well the facets (cuts on top of the diamond) are joined. They should be sharp and not rolled. Look at the girdle and if it is faceted or frosty, then it is a clear sign it is a true diamond and if it is waxy and slick, then it is an indication that the diamond is fake. When you are looking at your stone under the magnifying glass, the real diamond will be free from all flaws like carbon, pinpoints or small cracks. While you are examining the interior of the ring under the magnifying glass, look for any “CZ” stamps that would indicate the center stone is not a diamond.
Unfortunately, there are some clever ways that some jewelers manipulate diamonds to make the stones to pass most of these tests. Instead of using a completely fake stone, a very small piece of real diamond is placed on top of the fake stone. This gives the outer surface the hardness and resilience of a real diamond, but the rest of the stone is glass or some other simulated material. Luckily, there’s a home test to detect this, as well.
To detect if your stone has simply been merely topped by a diamond, place it into a clear glass of water and look at the stone. Not only will the water magnify the stone that you’re looking at, but the way that water bends light as it passes through can cause it to strike the stone differently. Of course, the only assured way to know as to exactly what your stone is worth is to get it appraised. You should take it to someone who is certified and who works in a reputed and reliable establishment. That way, you are unlikely to be defrauded with fake diamonds.
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