Have you ever wondered, "is this diamond actually real?". You are not the only one! In today's market, synthetic diamonds such as cubic zirconia and moissanite make very convincing fakes. These synthetics are so real-looking, you and those around you may never realize that the diamond is actually fake. So, we're giving you a few at-home tests to determine whether your diamond is the real deal or not.

1. Does it Reflect Both Color and Light?

We all love how a diamond shines in the sunlight. Test your stone by putting it in direct sunlight and examining the colors it reflects. A real diamond will reflect both rainbow colors as well as white light. If you only get one of the two, then the diamond isn't real.

2. Is it Blinding You with Rainbow Flashes?

Most synthetic diamonds look too good to be true all due to their extreme brilliance. Does your stone look really bright with lots of rainbow reflected colors? If so, it's most likely cubic zirconia. Yes, real diamonds are brilliant, but they are much more subtle than synthetics.

3. Does it Fog Up?

The easiest at-home test is to breathe on your stone. If your stone fogs up quite a bit and takes time for the condensation to evaporate, then it is most likely fake. Real diamonds do fog up, but only a little and the condensation evaporates quickly.

4 . Does it Get Scratched?

It's important to remember that diamonds are the hardest stone on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it nearly impossible to scratch them unless done so by another diamond. If you're willing to risk it, take a knife and gently scratch the surface of your stone. If it scratches immediately, the stone is synthetic. If there's no scratch, then you have a real diamond!

5. Does it Shatter in Extreme Temperatures?

Again, if you're willing to risk it, perform a simple hot/cold test to determine if your stone is real or fake. Hold your stone over a flame and then drop it into a cold glass of water. If your stone shatters, it's synthetic. A real diamond will not get damaged by extreme temperatures.

6. Does it Float?

Here's a less risky option for you! Drop your stone into a glass of water. If it floats, even just a tiny bit, it is synthetic. Real diamonds always sink.

7. Does it Pass the Tool Test?

The most accurate way to determine whether your diamond is real or fake at home is with a diamond selector tool, which you can purchase on Amazon. This little device touches the stone and immediately determines whether it is real or synthetic.

8. Has it been Deemed Real by a Jeweler?

It can take very expensive equipment and years of expertise to determine whether a stone is real or fake. So, the most foolproof option is to bring the stone to a trusted jeweler. They will have the necessary tools, magnifying equipment, experience, and education to give you the correct information.

If you're wondering whether your diamond is real or fake, bring it into our  Palo Alto store! We would love to assess your stone and give you the answer you've been searching for.