While it can be difficult for the layman to tell if a diamond is real or fake, there are several tests that you, the consumer, can perform to determine if the gem in your hand is the real deal or a piece of glass. If you happen to be shopping loose stones and you want to assess the validity of a deal that seems too good to be true, just use the newspaper test.
1. Have a piece of newspaper handy when you go shopping.
2. Lay the newspaper on a dark, smooth, solid surface (not a glass counter, as light can leak through).
3. Make sure you’re in an area with a strong overhead light source (but try not to throw your shadow on the surface).
4. Lay the stone face down on some newsprint that is easily readable, but not too large.
5. Look into the stone to see if you can read the print through it.
If you can read the print, there’s a good chance the stone you’re about to buy is a fake. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one thing, a real diamond has flaws which will make it hard to see through clearly (although lab-created stones may be flawless). In addition, real diamonds refract light so that looking through them will not produce a clear image, thus making it impossible for you to read the newsprint underneath. While a shallow-cut could render the results of this test indeterminate, it’s better not to risk such a weighty expense if you’re not sure.
