How to distinguish a diamond from cubic zirconia: 9 ways

Diamond ... How much in this word! Jewelry with this gem is considered an expensive gift in every sense. However, in our time, when unscrupulous sellers want to weld on inexperienced customers, you need to be fully equipped. It is very easy to confuse a diamond with cubic zirconia, the cost of which is negligible compared to a diamond. Therefore, when making a purchase, you need to be vigilant and be able to independently distinguish a real diamond from a cheap fake.

What is a diamond?

A diamond is a natural diamond stone, which, through processing, is given a special look. A diamond has a certain number of faces - 57 pieces, which allow light to refract as much as possible. This gives the stone incredible shine and radiance. Diamonds are not scratched even with strong physical impact, because diamond is the strongest stone. The cost of a diamond of 1 carat (0.2 grams) varies from 50 to 500 thousand rubles, depending on the purity of the diamond.

What is cubic zirconia

Cubic zirconia is an artificial stone that was invented by Soviet scientists. At first glance, it is quite difficult to distinguish from a diamond, but looking closely, you can notice several differences. Zirconia can have more faces than a diamond. Its value is practically not considered when evaluating jewelry - only precious metal is taken into account. But do not underestimate this artificial pebble. He took his rightful place in the manufacture of jewelry. The bad thing is that sometimes they want to give him away as a diamond. To prevent this from happening to you, we will tell you about the differences between these stones.

How to distinguish a diamond from cubic zirconia

Here are some simple ways to help you recognize fake gemstones. You can use some right in the store before you buy, while others will come to check on your home decorations.

1. Hardness. The first method is suitable for determining the stone from the home collection. Carefully inspect the jewelry. If there are small scratches on the stone, it faded over time - in front of you is cubic zirconia. The diamond is very hard and almost impossible to damage. To check the hardness of the stone, they spend on the glass. The diamond will not suffer and will leave a deep mark, because it is not for nothing that diamond is used in glass cutting. But cubic zirconia may not cope with the glass surface.
2. Clearance To evaluate the stone in the store before buying, you need to bring it to the rays of natural light. This can only be done with large enough specimens. A true diamond does not let rays through. Through the gem you can only see the cloudy point, but through the cubic zirconia light passes unhindered.
3. Temperature. Jewelers know another effective way to distinguish artificial stone from natural stone. To do this, just put your hand to the product. A true diamond is always a little cool, and cubic zirconia will heat up from the warmth of your hands.
4. Par. Breathe on the stone. There will be no vapor left on the diamond from your breath, but cubic zirconia will easily mist over.
5. The form. Take a look at the stone. Experienced professionals can distinguish a real diamond from a fake only in appearance. They say that a diamond has slightly sharper edges than an artificial stone. In addition, the surface of cubic zirconia is perfectly smooth, as it is made by man. This natural material has small bumps.
6. Stickiness. There is another interesting way to check the quality of the stone that is in front of you. Lubricate it with vegetable oil and apply the largest face to the glass surface.A real diamond will stick without difficulty, and cubic zirconia will not hold.
7. Doubling of light. For the next method of determining the naturalness of the stone, you need a powerful magnifier with a 20-fold increase. To conduct an experiment, you need bright natural light. A well-lit stone must be carefully examined under a magnifying glass. On the brink of a diamond, you will not see bifurcated rays. Zirconia, on the contrary, bifurcates all light fluxes. Imitation of a diamond can be calculated without much effort.
8. Transparency. Dip the stone in a glass of water. A true pure diamond will become invisible if you look at it from the side. This is where the expression “pure water diamond” originates, that is, a diamond that is completely transparent in water. Such diamonds are considered the most valuable and expensive. Zirconia will sparkle from the water and give out its presence. However, this experiment is only suitable for colorless diamonds. If it has its own shade (for example, yellowish), such a procedure loses its meaning.

Experiment with fat

These simple physical properties of stones will help you determine without any special skills and special equipment which stone or diamond is in front of you. So you can determine the cubic zirconia, which is used to create jewelry. However, if in the manufacture of cubic zirconia it was originally intended to pass it off as a gem, then your efforts may be in vain. Modern cubic zirconia is very similar to natural rock and it is almost impossible to distinguish it on its own. In this case, it is necessary to carry the jewelry to a specialist. He using high-precision technology will help determine the quality and origin of the stone.

Having learned to distinguish a real diamond from cubic zirconia, you will not allow yourself to be deceived. And you will pay money only for natural gems.

Video: how to distinguish a diamond from cubic zirconia in a ring