All diamonds are gorgeous but brown diamonds are nothing short of extraordinary. You agree, right? With their earthy hue, these gemstones can enhance your look in a subtle almost seamless manner.
But how do you tell the difference between a real and a fake? This article has all the answers you need.
First Things First – What Is Brown Diamond?
A variety of fancy diamonds, this gemstone can be found in several shades ranging from light to very dark brown. It is commonly used to symbolize calmness, confidence, dependability, loyalty, humility and stability.
An interesting fact about this jewel is that it was the first fancy diamond to be used in fine jewellery. However, as time went on, the demand for this gem greatly decreased and the stone was only used for industrial purposes. Having said that, the gemstone was later reintroduced to the public under different, more attractive names and has been a fan-favourite ever since.
Did You Know?
That the world’s largest faceted diamond is actually a brown diamond. Pretty cool, huh? This marvellous yellowish-brown jewel was originally cut from a 755.5-carat rough stone and currently weighs 545.67 carats.
In 1996, the gem was gifted to King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand on the 50th anniversary of his coronation. It was from here that the diamond got its name – The Golden Jubilee. Today, it is recognised as one of the crown jewels of Thailand.
How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Real and a Fake?
Tip #1: The Breath Test
To conduct this test, place the stone about 1 centimeter away from your mouth and breathe on it. If the gem takes longer than 5 seconds to clear up, it is probably a fake made of glass.
Tip #2: The Microscope Test
Place your gem under a bright light and view it through a microscope. If you notice any perfectly round bubbles just under the jewel’s surface, it is a fake.
Tip #3: The Newspaper Test
To do this, place your gemstone on a newspaper and try reading the letters underneath it. If you can’t do the same, your jewel is almost certainly real.
Tip #4: The Touch Test
With the pad of your finger, gently touch the surface of the gemstone. If it feels cool against your skin, it is most likely real.
Tip #5: Take It to a Professional
At the end of the day, only a jeweller will be able to tell the difference between a real and fake brown diamond with 100% certainty. So, remember to have your piece professionally chequeed as soon as you receive it.
Precautions to Take Before Buying Your Gem
Of course, there are!
Unfortunately, one can come across several fake websites and sellers when searching for their perfect piece. To avoid getting duped, we recommend following the tips and tricks mentioned below:
1) Verify the Seller
You can do this by looking at the reviews written under their social media posts on various customer rating websites like Bizrate and BBB, for example. Apart from this, we also suggest going through all the uploaded certificates on the company’s website and ensuring that they are up to date.
2) Read the Return Policy
This is one of the most important pointers when it comes to buying a brown diamond. Remember that a good return policy is one that’ll enable you to return or exchange your stone if it is damaged or doesn’t match the specifications mentioned on the website in any way.
3) Cheque the Certificate of Authenticity
At its simplest, the certificate of authenticity is a document that contains essential information about the gemstone. This includes key facts like the quality grade of the brown diamond and enhancements (if any). Needless to say, with this document, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and will be in a better position to notice any differences between the same and the physical product.
