Synthetic diamonds possess the same visual and chemical properties as mined diamonds.
Synthetic diamonds, also known as lab-created or lab-grown diamonds, are real diamonds. Unlike imitations, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which merely look like diamonds, synthetic diamonds have all the same physical properties as a diamond - the same hardness, thermal conductivity and chemical composition. While accurate identification of a synthetic diamonds requires expensive and scientific equipment, the average shopper can use a few tricks to detect a synthetic diamond. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Observe the color vibrancy. Mined diamonds come in a variety of colors such as blue, yellow, brown, black, pink or red. The most common synthetic diamond colors are yellow or blue. The colors of synthetic diamonds are very bright and vibrant, whereas mined diamond colors are more often pale and muted.
2. Use a jeweler's loop to inspect the stone for inclusions. Inclusions are small imperfections in the stone. Mined diamonds contain inclusions that appear as feathery, crystalline pinpoints or cloudy areas. Synthetic diamonds form in a metallic solution and when not completely transformed, the metal deposits as metallic slivers or globules. Under the 10x magnification of the jewelers loop and a bright light, all inclusions in a synthetic diamond will appear shiny, whereas inclusions in a mined diamond will appear dull.
3. Look for an inscription on the girdle of the stone. The girdle is the outer rim of the top of the stone. Synthetic diamond labs laser inscribe the words "CREATED" and a lab identification number on the stone. Again, use the jeweler's loop to see the inscription. If the stone is in a setting that completely surrounds the stone, take the setting to a jeweler to have it checked. Removing a stone at home may damage the setting, leading to costly repairs.
4. Consider where you are purchasing the diamond. All jewelry stores must indicate if a diamond is mined or lab-grown. In addition, jewelry stores purchase their product from known manufactures. However, if you are in a pawn shop or antique store, the source of the stone may be grandma's attic or an estate sale. An inexperienced or dishonest shop owner may list a synthetic diamond as a mined diamond.
5. Consider the age of the stone. Synthetic diamonds were first created in the 1950's. If the item is older than 1950, the diamond is mined.
Tags: diamond mined, mined diamond, synthetic diamond, Synthetic diamonds, diamond colors
