We consider ‘fake’ diamonds as simulated diamonds; those that have been created to look and act like the real gemstone. These are man-made stones that could be mistaken - or deliberately passed off - as a diamond. The most common examples include Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite. Diamond substitutes are growing in popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

A popular and inexpensive diamond substitute, Cubic Zirconia (known as CZ) looks very similar to real diamonds when set in jewellery. Man-made of zirconium oxide, it is cheap to make and buy, and you’ll often find CZ set into costume or silver jewellery.

Before the arrival of lab-diamonds, Moissanite was sometimes promoted as a cheaper alternative to diamond without being quite as low-cost as CZ. Man-made of silicon carbide, Moissanite has a similar brilliance and hardness to real diamond. However, it is a different mineral entirely.

There are a number of naturally white gemstones, such as white topaz, white spinel, white sapphire, and even quartz. Some people use these stones in jewellery to get the look of diamonds without the cost. These are gemstones in their own right and have a very different brilliance to diamonds. Because of this, they are usually easy to spot in jewellery.

‘Synthetic’ and ‘simulated’ diamonds are both terms referring to man-made stones, but with a significant difference.

Synthetic diamonds are real diamonds, created in a laboratory by replicating the natural diamond growth process. They are made of the same material as natural diamonds - pure carbon - and have the same physical and chemical properties as natural stones.

Simulated diamonds, on the other hand, only mimic the look of a diamond. They are man-made using different materials, so they do not have the same chemical and physical properties as real diamonds. They also don’t have the same value and can be identified by testing. A fake stone may display different behaviors in tests, such as floating in water.

The recent popularity of lab-created diamonds has led to some questioning about whether these created gemstones are real diamonds or not. The answer is yes, lab-created diamonds are absolutely real diamonds. They are made of the same material as natural diamonds, chemically indistinguishable from their minded counterparts.

The only difference between lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds is how they are made and sourced. Natural diamonds spontaneously form below ground and are extracted by mining. Lab-created diamonds are created and harvested entirely above ground, by humans.

Quality simulated diamonds may look like real diamonds to the naked eye, but can usually be identified. It’s perfectly acceptable to choose a simulated diamond if you want to - but unwittingly buying a fake diamond could be disappointing and costly. Stimulants are generally not as hard-wearing as diamond, and may have different care needs to keep them looking new. They also don’t have the same value as real diamonds, now or in the future.

There are some tell-tale signs that a diamond may be fake. Natural diamonds have unique flaws, such as tiny inclusions inside the stone. A too-perfect stone, without any imperfections, could well be a simulated diamond such as cubic zirconia. Read more about diamond clarity. 

CZs also have a lower refractive index than diamonds, so they won’t have the same fire and life when they sparkle. As CZs are less hardwearing than diamonds, you may also find an older stone showing signs of wear - scratches, abrasions, even chips.

Moissanite can often be identified by its brilliance and colour. A higher refractive index means moissanite actually has more sparkle than diamond, but often displays a slightly yellow or green tint in certain lighting.

However, we don’t advise following simple DIY tests such as the scratch or fog test to tell if you have a fake diamond. Even expert gemmologists wouldn’t assess a diamond without looking through magnification! It can also be hard to get a feel for the stone when it is set in jewellery, or if you don’t have a real diamond to compare it to.

So how to know if your diamond is genuine?

If you're not sure whether your diamond is real or fake, there are several ways to definitively find out:

• Take it to your jeweller

If in doubt, trust the experts. A jeweller can examine your diamond and tell you whether it's real or fake. If they aren’t able to identify your diamond in-house, they will send your stone to a reputable lab for testing.

Gemmology labs have equipment that can tell if your diamond is real, and even whether it is a lab-created or natural stone.

• Use a diamond tester

Hand-held diamond testers measure the thermal conductivity of stones; diamonds conduct heat well, while fake diamonds do not. Excellent for testing stones that still set in a piece of jewellery, a diamond tester will tell you in a moment if a diamond is real or not.

• Check the certification

Your diamond may come with a certificate, confirming not only that your diamond is real, but also providing other information such as carat weight and clarity. We supply all diamonds 0.25ct and over with a certificate from GIA, the most respected and reliable lab worldwide.

Watch out for fake diamonds…

Fake diamonds can often be quite sophisticated in look, making it almost impossible to conclusively identify one with the naked eye. We think the safest route is always to buy your diamond jewellery from a trusted and reputable source.

At Harper Tait, we adore diamonds, and only sell real ones. A choice of natural and lab-created stones gives you the choice without any worry. We allow you to personally pick your perfect diamond and ring - begin the journey here.

Authenticity is crucial when it comes to diamonds, as it impacts the value and quality of the stone. Real diamonds are rare and valuable, while fake diamonds are often less expensive and of lower quality. 

When purchasing a diamond, it’s essential to work with a reputable jeweler and have the stone tested and certified by a trained gemologist. 

Certification provides assurance that the diamond is genuine and offers detailed information about its characteristics, such as carat weight and clarity. By ensuring the authenticity of your diamond, you can make a confident and informed investment in a piece of jewellery that will retain its value and beauty over time.

At Harper Tait , we adore diamonds, and only sell real ones. A choice of natural and lab-created stones gives you the choice without any worry. We allow you to personally design your perfect diamond and ring - begin the journey here.