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

This really blows. I used to work for Osterman Jewelers, Kay's sister company, and I quit because I saw things like this happening. I didn't want to be associated with a dishonest company like that.

I just wanted to say, with the breath test, a genuine, real diamond WILL fog up, but will clear the fog in a matter of a second or two, whereas a fake stone will hold the fog much longer, up to five seconds. Also, PLEASE NEVER EVER do the "scratched glass" test with a diamond. This can dull and scratch the edges of the facets, which could cause the diamond to lose a significant amount of value.

@Candy: If you're worried about sending your ring out for sizing, find an independent jeweler (with good reviews of course) that will do it while you wait. My jewelry store sized my ring in five minutes while I stood there and waited.

Anyhow, if your gut was telling you it was switched, it probably was. A woman's intuition is ALWAYS right. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for an update!

If you are worried about going back to the same Kay's...take it into any jeweler store in the mall. Bring your Certified information with you, and ask if you could use their gemscope to see you cert. number. Any of the store would be glad to help you...I'm sure! Jared's is of the same chain as Kay's...so is JB Robinson, Oostermans, and few others.

All store also have diamond testers...they touch it to your diamond and it will beep if it is a true diamond.

Sorry everyone that I didn't update last night. I don't have much of an update. I went to an independent jeweler yesterday after work and told him about my ring and he said he didn't want to be involved!!!! When I went home to pick up my paperwork afterwards, I think I just worried myself sick with so much anxiety. I started throwing up and FH told me that we will just both go today. That way I won't have to deal with it alone and get pushed around. (I'm not good with confrontation unless I'm very angry). I'm so sad that this is something that happens a lot as I'm seeing on this thread. Sorry I kept everyone waiting!! We are both going today and I'll keep y'all updated as soon as we leave. Oh and is it weird that this jeweler said he didn't wanna get involved? Kinda pissed me off!! It's my damn ring. It's important to me!!

It's unfortunate, but not weird. I can understand that he wouldn't want to put himself or his business in the way of a lawsuit with a company like Kay Jewelers. Just take your paperwork in and see what they say. You can't really do much else until you talk to them. If you find out that they did in fact switch out your stone, you have a lawsuit on your hands. If it were me, I would return my ring, take my cash and buy another ring altogether (not from a chain store). I know it won't be the same as the ring your FH proposed to you with, but if they switched out the stone, it's already a different ring.

I had a girlfriend find out that she had a filled diamond after having so many issues with it that she finally took it to three independent jewelers, and none of them would touch it. The jeweler in the mall where her FH purchased it, filled her diamond to correct imperfections virtually rendering it worthless. It really sucked watching her go through that. The ring shes...cont.

Had for four years and paid thousands of dollars for is worth nothing. =( She and her husband are currently going through the process of suing him. I feel so bad for her.

Look for a jeweler appraiser. Their can be independent from actual jewelry stores or they can have their own. But the appraiser's job is to tell you the quality of the stone and what the insured value should be. That said, they will be absolutely able to tell you whether or not it's a fake.

I find it odd the jeweler wouldn't at least give it a look to confirm its a real diamond. Geez.

SunshineJenn, It's not odd for a jeweler to turn someone away if they're having issues with a ring that wasn't purchased that the place they're taking it to. Especially if there are big issues that having been happening for a while with said ring. They're protecting themselves and their business. Would you want to get involved in a potential lawsuit that had nothing to do with you in the first place? Most places will turn you away because it's just not in the best interest of their business. Especially when you're talking diamonds. It turns into one word against another, and then they could get caught up in a lengthy, messy court battle.

Gahh this whole mess makes me want to punch whatever son of a bitch at Kay's did this to her.

OH LAWD! I am so so sorry this is even something you have to think about... if this is the case, and this actually DID happen, get your money and RUN away from any stores like Kay and get your diamond from a place you never feel scared leaving it at!!

It is strange that he wouldnt even test the diamond, i thought my diamonds were fake too but i took the ring to a mom and pop jeweler and asked her if they were real, and she simply stuck the ring inside some sort of machine behind the counter, and a couple of seconds later she handed it back and said they were genuine. She didnt even ask why i wanted to know. Very strange that he turned you away without even testing or cleaning the ring

Oh wow. I couldn't even imagine what you're going through. I don't even know where to begin. Take ToBeMrsM's advice and go somewhere else first but don't tell them why.

I wouldn't have told the jeweler the back story, bc I would have been afraid he would have turned me away, not wanting to get involved in such a messy situation. Hope every thing works out for you.

@Pattycakes. My thoughts exactly. Thinking of doing what Mrs M stated and try to find some one that will do it while we wait. No amount of insurance can cover the history of the stone.

I think the suggestion of having the ring appraised could serve the purpose twofold. Receive a detailed description of the stone and having insured if not already.

Kay's should be able to show the serial number...

So, Erika-- is there an update?

Mine has a teeny "scratch" on the top that literally no one, not even the appraiser noticed. You have to like have it at a certain angle with a certain light to see it. It took FH 10 minutes to see it as I was trying to show him. I hated it at first, but now it puts me at ease as I'd know right away if it was switched

Oh my god, I just saw this. Please keep us updated!!!

I hope you get free huge diamond earrings and a bracelet and necklace for all this!

I've been checking back too!! My grandfather was a jeweler, and this is my worst fear

Anyone else keep checking back??

I keep watching, and waiting.