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Erika*
Super October 2015

How to tell if a diamond is real or fake? *update*

Erika*, on November 6, 2013 at 5:06 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 95

I had to send my ring back to Kay's because the diamond became loose when I knocked it on a counter and I got it back a week later (over the weekend). Well, when I got it back and ever since I got it back, I swear it's not the same diamond!!! The diamond I was proposed with was soooo clear! On the certificate of the diamond it's classified as colorless. And now, it just looks weird! It doesn't shine the way it used to in the light. I want to take it back to check the serial number and take it to a jewelers to check if it's real. I hated that Kay's had to send it out to get serviced and now I'm paranoid that it was switched. I swear it's not the same diamond!! To ease my mind til I can take it in, does anyone know how to tell if a diamond is real? Without the microscope.

ETA: just got out of a jeweler. He showed me my ring under the microscope and my serial numbers are the same!! Thanks God! He explained that the reason for the lighting difference is because they cleaned it to look brand new. He also explained the at home ways to check a diamond like the whole fog thing, the rainbow color stuff(he said not to trust those methods because they'll make you paranoid!!). Mine was picking up other colors that it didn't before (which was a reason I thought it was different) and he said that when it's cleaned like brand new it'll shine differently than when it has been handled. My band did come back with damage to it (which didn't help with me thinking it was different). He showed me how the damage was done. The pliers used to hold the ring to tighten the diamond damaged my band. So I do have to take it in to get that fixed, but I'll pass. I can live with that damage. He told me that it does happen, when rings will get switched, so he told me I can come anytime I need adjustments and he'll help me out for free. Everything they do is in store! Thanks everyone for the support, I was going crazy.

95 Comments

Latest activity by kim, on February 3, 2014 at 7:45 AM
  • jenna_
    Master March 2015
    jenna_ ·
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    My biggest fear. omg.

    i don't know if there's a way to tell without taking it in... good luck. i'm so sorry you even have to worry about this. i would be so mad.

    • Reply
  • Julie
    Expert September 2014
    Julie ·
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    Isn't the GIA number etched on the diamond? I thought so but not sure...

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  • Mallory Abroad
    Master October 2014
    Mallory Abroad ·
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    Go into another healers and ask - they should be able to tell (try an independent one)

    Or

    Get a glass. A true diamond can only be cut by diamond so if it is real it should be able to cut the glass

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  • Out the Window
    Master May 2014
    Out the Window ·
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    There's no fool proof way to test it at home. The scratch glass test isn't always reliable. Go tomorrow to any jeweler and they will be able to tell you. I would also recommend getting it appraised. An jewelry appraiser can tell you exactly what kind of diamond you have and whatever unique fallacies are in it. Not knocking it, every diamond has some unique markings.

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  • Ashlee
    VIP June 2015
    Ashlee ·
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    There's cut, clarity and color...you can easily tell if one is fake in the sunlight if it looks kind of "rainbow." See below. I hope that girl is not on WW because i completely just put her on blast...hahaha anyways, do you think it might just be dirty? Take it in and get it cleaned...mine looks so different when it gets cleaned. If not like Julie said...check the GIA number. My FH used to work in a jewelry store and taught me stuff Smiley smile


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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    If you are paranoid about your stone having been switched to a lower quality diamond, or worse, a synthetic stone, make the trip to a jeweler. If you want a written appraisal, you'll have to pay a fee (bring your original certificate with you). If you just want to know if your stone is a diamond or a synthetic CZ, find a jeweler who buys gold/silver/diamonds, and tell them you are interested in selling the ring, and you want an estimate on the resale value. They'll be able to shine a special light on the stone and they'll know immediately if your diamond has been replaced with a CZ (if that's the case, it's a legal matter that you need to pursue). Don't be shocked when you learn the resale value of the ring -- it will be far less than what you paid for it.

    Let a professional handle this. Best case scenario, you spent a little bit of time and money for a huge piece of mind. Worst case scenario, you call the police.

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    This was my biggest fear as well! I didn't want to take it in for fear of this happening. But I didn't wanna risk losing my diamond. (Even though it has insurance).

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    @ashlee oh hell no!!! That is exactly what I meant about the shine being different in the light. It's totally rainbowy now!! It was most definitely not like that before. I'm so angry right now!! I want to storm off from work and figure this out right now. Anyone have an idea how much appraisals are? After work I'm going to pick up my certificate and going to a jeweler then to Kay's.

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  • Love Is Real
    Expert April 2014
    Love Is Real ·
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    That happened to my mother.....she had a loose diamond, took it to a jeweler and it was replaced with glass. Luckily she already had her diamond appraised and insured so when she confronted the jeweler with threats of theft and law suit they gave her a flawless diamond worth 28k more than her original. Its so sad that people do things like that but it happens so make sure you get yours checked.

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  • Ashlee
    VIP June 2015
    Ashlee ·
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    Oh noooo! Yeah, take that shit in! I would be seein' red! I think it ultimately depends. Since FH worked in a jewelry store we had hook ups. I'm sure google might know! i.e. "Independent Jewelers should be able to give you a free estimate appraisal with very basic information regarding the diamond necklace. They will give you an estimate retail cost of the piece. FULL written appraisals will range from $50 - 85 for the first item (Keep in consideration it depends who will be doing the appraisal)"

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  • May
    VIP October 2013
    May ·
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    I see I'm not the only one a little worried about people pulling something over on me! Heat can affect a diamond, but it has to be really high heat (used to bend platinum for example). Let us know what happens!

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  • Nadine
    VIP August 2015
    Nadine ·
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    There are all sorts of sites with ideas of testing. Can you see through it, can you breath on it (like breath on it if your breath leaves a fog it is fake) Also the rainbow thing is true and not. A lower quality diamond will have a little rainbow to it. But no were near as much as the photo Ashlee posted

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    Excuse my language!!

    Fuckin shit!!!! I'm soooo beyond angry. I just did the breath test and there is a fog!! I knew it wasn't the same diamond!! I stared at it everyday for a month before I had to send it in. I knew right away it wasn't the same and FH told me I was crazy. Well he's about to see crazy. I'll probably be on the news tonight because I'm raising all kinds of hell!!!!

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  • ItsGoodToBeKing
    Master February 2014
    ItsGoodToBeKing ·
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    I'd be at Kay's RIGHT NOW!!

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    Id be there if I could leave work. I just, I can't even fuckin believe this. I feel like calling tolkowsky headquarters and letting them know what the fuck is going on. That Kay's replaced my tolkowsky diamond and is now saying this fake diamond is their brand. Then raising all kinds of hell at Kay's. I feel like the hulk right now. I should probably try to calm down before I go over.

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  • Candy
    Expert June 2014
    Candy ·
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    Get your original paperwork and go straight to Kay's! Raise holy Hades if you have to!

    When do get out of work? Before they close today? Don't make that call until you go to Kay's first.

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  • ChampagneTaste
    VIP September 2014
    ChampagneTaste ·
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    Omg I'd tell you to stay calm but i'm panicking for you.

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    I get off at 4 so I'll be there before they close. I just don't even know how to calm down. I'm so upset. I knew there was something wrong. I could just tell.

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  • Out the Window
    Master May 2014
    Out the Window ·
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    I wouldn't go to kay's without having another jeweler look at it. At least then you'll have someone to back up your claim

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  • Erika*
    Super October 2015
    Erika* ·
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    OTW: I am gonna go to a different jeweler first. I want proof. FH told me to just go to Kay's and ask to check my serial number, but no. How easy would it be to put the same one on a fake ring. I wish I knew a jeweler so they could help me out.

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