Difference between Real and Fake Diamonds

Diamonds are the most precious natural gemstones composed of 100% carbon atoms. Because of their high demand, fake diamonds are sold in the market. It is usually challenging to tell whether the diamonds are natural or fake ones, just by looking at them. Read through this article to find out the differences between Real and Fake diamonds.

What are Real Diamonds?

Pure diamonds are one of the most complex substances in the world, formed due to extremely high temperatures and pressure-formed inside the earth. Diamonds are known for their durability and industrial purposes. They are called “women's best friends” because of their shine and clarity. Diamonds are generally classified into 4C’s − color, clarity, cut, and carat.

Real diamonds are natural, extracted from the earth’s crust, and take thousands to billions of years to form

What are Fake Diamonds?

Stones like cubic zirconia or moissanite look precisely like diamonds but have different properties. Fake diamonds are artificial and fall under two categories − synthetic diamonds (artificial diamonds) and imitation diamonds.

Synthetic or fake diamonds are made in laboratories by heating carbon gas under high pressure. In contrast, imitation diamonds are made of different materials like glass or cubic zirconia, in which the final product looks exactly like a diamond.

Though fake diamonds are seen negatively, they are not that bad. They are also high in demand and come under budget.

How to Spot a Fake Diamond?

You can also do some tests at home to spot natural diamonds and fake diamonds by using these tricks −

The Sandpaper Test

If you have sandpaper at home, simply scratch the paper on your diamond. Diamond, being scratch-proof and one of the most complex substances in the world, will not get marked. However, you can see the scratches if it's a fake diamond.

The Water Test

Simply take a glass of water and carefully drop your diamond into it. If the stone sinks, then it’s a natural diamond. If it floats on the surface of the water, it’s an artificial diamond because a natural diamond has a higher density than a synthetic diamond.

The Fog Test

Simply hold the loose diamond or embedded diamond near your mouth and fog it up with your breath. If the fog disappears quickly and the diamond is clear, it's a natural diamond, as diamonds are bad conductors of heat. If the mist remains for 3-4 seconds and takes time to disappear, there is a high chance that it is a fake diamond.

Differences between Real and Fake Diamonds

Here are some of the differences you can see between natural diamonds and fake diamonds.

Factors	Real Diamond	Fake Diamond
Determining factor	Naturally acquired	Artificial
Illustration	Natural diamonds are formed of 100% carbon atoms and are one of the most complex and vital substances. They are costly because of their demand.	Fake diamonds are artificial diamonds using materials such as hydrogen, carbon gasses, glass, etc. they are much cheaper than natural diamonds. However, the final products look very similar to natural diamonds.
Categories	4C’s – Color, clarity, cut, and carat	Synthetic diamond and imitation diamond.
Made from	100% carbon atoms	Hydrogen, carbon, high leaded glass, cubic zirconia, or silicon carbide.
Time is taken to form.	Thousands to billions of years	Few weeks
Process	These diamonds are naturally created and must be mined.	Fake diamonds can be made as and when demanded.
Weight	Natural diamonds are lighter in density.	Fake diamonds are usually heavier than natural diamonds.
Light	Inside the diamonds, generally white and gray light is sparkled, Inside the diamonds, generally white and gray light is sparkled,	Rainbow colors are seen inside the diamond.
Refraction	Natural diamonds always refract light. (You cannot see through the diamonds clearly).	Fake diamonds may or may not refract light. Here, you can see through it more clearly than through natural diamonds.
Hardness	Being one of the most complex objects in the world, only natural diamonds can cut other diamonds.	Hardness may vary in fake diamonds, but it’s not as hard as natural diamonds.
Glass	Natural diamonds can cut the glass.	Fake diamonds cannot cut the glass, but some scratches can be made.
Scratches and damage	Natural diamonds will not have any scratches, no matter how old or used.	Fake diamonds will have scratches depending on their age and usage.
Heat conduction	In natural diamonds, the head disappears quickly.	In fake diamonds, heat fades slowly.
Electricity conduction	Natural diamonds are good conductors of electricity	Fake diamonds are bad conductors of electricity.
Cost	Natural diamonds are costly and might cost up to 2500$ on average and might increase based on cuts, carat, clarity, size, etc.	Lab-grown diamonds are much cheaper than natural diamonds, and the average cost might start from 365$ and vary according to size, shape, etc.
Edges	Natural diamonds have sharper edges and mildly imperfect structures.	Fake diamonds have perfect designs and rounded edges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a real diamond is a precious natural stone with multiple uses such as making jewelry, cutting complex sustainers, etc. it is also durable and scratch-resistant. In contrast, fake diamonds are used as a substitute for natural diamonds only for making jewelry and decoration.