HOW DO YOU SPOT A FAKE DIAMOND?
Unfortunately, impersonations or counterfeits are everywhere in the fashion and jewelry industry. From handbags to diamonds—replicas are sometimes so difficult to spot that only a professional can distinguish the imposter.
For first-time diamond shoppers, there is one solid rule to follow: if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. A flawless large diamond will cost thousands, not hundreds. But sometimes the signs aren’t so obvious, and smooth salesmen could steer you into purchasing something that isn’t what you want or isn’t genuine.
Before you jump head first into a dazzling purchase, here are a few tips from the experts on how to ensure that your perfect stone is the real deal:
A Forged Certification or No Certification
The Gemological Institute of America (or GIA) is one of the premier authorities on diamonds and diamond certification. A diamond certified by the GIA will include a diamond grading certificate that lists all the features of the stone. Be sure to request and review a copy of the certificate before making a purchase. To deter forgers, all GIA certificates issued after 2014 feature a QR code and proprietary paper blend to help confirm authentication. If these features are absent, then chances are high that the GIA certificate is not authentic. GIA and other grading laboratories also have online databases of their certifications. If the certificate number doesn’t pull up a result, then there is a good chance that the certificate is a forgery.
Purchase uncertified diamonds at your own risk. Without certification, buyers really cannot be guaranteed of the authenticity of their purchase. For this reason, insist on a certified diamond. If you’re buying vintage jewelry, or an older diamond without a GIA certificate, there are still a few clever tricks to help you spot a fake diamond.
The Gemological Institute of America has updated the format on their grading reports. Founded in 1931, the GIA’s mission is to protect buyers and sellers alike by authenticating and verifying the quality of loose diamonds using specific metrics. Over the years, the report has evolved to respond to different security issues and changes in technology.
The update, effective January 1st, 2014, will address a few security issues and includes technological updates as well.
1) The new report will include a QR code so consumers can easily identify and confirm the authenticity of the document.
2)The report will also feature a proprietary paper blend that will deter forgers and help easily identify legitimate reports.
For more information on exchanging reports for the revised format, visit GIA.edu
Photo credits: GIA
