Diamond Information - Diamond Testers

Welcome to a World of Diamonds

What does the word "diamond" mean? The word comes from the Greek word "adamas," and this means "unconquerable and indestructible."

Diamonds were first formed billions of years ago some 100 miles beneath the earth's surface through a process of tremendous pressure and temperatures of 2000 - 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Volcanic activity brings diamond crystals much closer to the earth's surface.
To produce a single one-carat diamond, 250 tons of earth will be mined.
Gem-quality diamonds are made up from less than 20 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide.
The first written notation of precious diamonds dates back to around 500 B.C.
In their purest state, diamonds are brilliant and entirely colorless.

Diamonds: A diamond's value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia.

How to tell if a diamond is real:

The fog test. Put your diamond in front of your mouth and fog it like you would fog a mirror. If it stays fogged for 2-4 seconds, it's a fake. A real diamond will disperse the heat instantaneously so by the time you look at it, it has already cleared up.

The transparency test. Flip your diamond upside down and place it over some newsprint. If you can clearly read through the stone, it's not a diamond.

Test for weight. The most popular diamond simulant (fake) is a cubic zirconia. C.Z.'s will weigh approximately 55% more than diamonds for the same shape and size. Use a carat or gram scale to see if the impostor tips the scales too much.

The U.V. test. Many diamonds will show fluorescence of blue if put under an ultra violet light or black light. 99% of all fakes don't do this; so, a positive identification of medium to strong blue would indicate a diamond. Diamonds with blue fluorescence can be as much as 20% less valuable; however, lack of blue fluorescence doesn't mean it's a fake; it could be a better quality diamond.

If you have access to a diamond tester, you can test for diamonds vs. simulants. (Beware, moissanite is the only stone than can fool the electronic diamond tester.)

Jeweler Loupe Test:
The under the jeweler loupe test. With a loupe magnifier, there are some things you can look for on the stone that might give away its identity: Look at your diamond from the top and see how the facets (the cuts on top of the diamond) are joined. They should be sharp but not rolled.

Is the girdle faceted or frosty (yes, then it's a diamond) or waxy and slick (yes, then it's a fake.)

Under magnification, look into your diamond for flaws (carbon, pinpoints, small cracks.) It's very hard to put inclusions into a fake.

Look at the stamps inside the setting. A stamp of "10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 900, 950, PT, Plat" indicates the setting is real gold or platinum. This gives a better chance that the stone in it is real as well. Look for any "C.Z." stamps. This will tell you the center stone is not a diamond.

Discount Diamonds:
Online diamond retailers providing you with the lowest prices and the highest quality diamonds. We list the top 3 below.

Top 3 Discount Diamond Sites
1	Overstock Jewelry
2	Wal Mart Jewelry
3	Ross Simons

Overstock Jewelry: Editor's Choice
Offers a variety of diamond jewelry in 14kt gold, bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces and more!

Wal Mart Jewelry: Choose from our wide selection of pre-mounted rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, yellow gold, white gold or platinum. Different diamond shapes and sizes up to 2 carats, quality, certified diamonds, satisfaction guaranteed.

Ross Simons: Offers the online shopper a large variety of diamond jewelry. From casual to formal jewelry.

Diamond Facts:

Diamonds are found in a variety of colors. Blue and pink diamonds are among the rarest, and yellow and brown as among the most common.
The diamond is the hardest natural substance found on the earth.
The diamond is rock hard and virtually fireproof. In order for a diamond to burn, it must be heated to one-thousand, two-hundred, and ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit.
In one-thousand polished diamonds, only one will weigh more than one carat.
U.S. accounts for less than one-percent of total global gemstone productions
Australia accounts for producing the most diamonds in volume.
America buys more than half of the world's total gem quality diamonds - accounting for the world's largest diamond market.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the worlds only diamond mine open to the public - this is a dig-for-fee operation for tourists and rock enthusiasts.
Since as far back as 1906, there have been more than 70,000 diamonds discovered in The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas
The 40.23 carat "Uncle Sam Diamond" - the largest diamond of its kind ever found in the U.S discovered in 1924.

Buy Discount Diamonds Online

Overstock Jewelry

Wal Mart Jewelry

Ross Simons

Jeweler Loupe: Perhaps the most important tool in diamond identification and gemology is that of the jewelers loupe...pronounced "LOOP". This most important piece of equipment...in the right hands...can serve as the foremost identification and grading tool. There are two important factors about making the decision regarding which loupe is right for you. The first is the size of the lens. Most good quality loupes will have an 18mm lens in 10x or 10 power. This is the standard for most gemologists...however, larger and smaller size lenses are available...

Diamond Tester: A diamond tester uses light to verify that the stone you are examining is really a diamond. It does not guarantee quality -- just the type of stone. Most testers will still work when the stone is mounted...