by Bonnie Thomas

Created on: March 01, 2009   Last Updated: March 08, 2009

Many people want to purchase a genuine stone at a discounted price. The problem is that there are those that will try to pass counterfeit stones off as the real thing. There are a few ways that you can find out if the stone you are considering purchasing is real or not. Foremost, it is always a good idea to purchase from a reputable dealer. It is when you attempt to purchase from another source to get a better deal that you may need to employ the following strategies.

First, you can ask for a certificate of authenticity. This is especially important if you are purchasing a stone that you have not seen from the Internet. Make sure the certificate is from a legitimate source that is impartial. Gemological Institute of America, Jewelers Association of Australia, and the American Society of Appraisers are a few reputable sources to consider.

If you are purchasing the stone in person, you can look through it. Diamonds have a high refractive index, which means that you should not be able to see through them. If the stone is actually glass or quartz, then you should be able to see through the stone. Although, this is a good strategy to employ, it may not work on high quality fakes such as Moissanite.

Look at the reflection. Diamonds do not reflect rainbow colors. Their reflection is more of a gray shade.

The setting or mounting can also be a clue to the authenticity. Real stones are not set in cheap metals. The following stamps on a setting may be an indication of authenticity: 10K, 14K, 18K, 586, 750, 900, 950, PT, or Plat. If the metal is stamped CZ, it is a good sign that it is not a precious stone.

A diamond tester is another great way to indicate if the stone is indeed authentic. Most jewelers will have a wand that they use to test stones. A good way to test the stone you are looking at is to bring a nice quality cubic zirconium stone in (preferably a piece of jewelry that you or a friend already owns) to the store. Ask the jeweler to test the piece. The piece should not register, but the stone that you are considering purchasing should make the machine beep and go from green to red.

Another simple way to test an independent stone is to put it in a glass of water. A real diamond will sink. A counterfeit should float.

In closing, there are several ways to check the authenticity of a stone. These methods should help to ensure a successful purchase, but if in doubt, the best advice is to fore go the purchase. It is not truly a good deal if you are scammed into making a false purchase. A reputable jewelry store always carries the advantage of peace of mind.

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