Unless you happen to be an expert gemologist, it can be a daunting experience shopping for a piece of fine jewelry for yourself or that special someone. There are many factors to consider, including cut, color, clarity, and personal style, not to mention the cost; after all, who doesn’t love a great deal? But buyer beware. 21st-century technology has made it more difficult than ever to spot a fake diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, and other prominent precious gemstones. Challenging, yes, but certainly not impossible. Read on to learn how to discern the real deal from a replica that can cost you loads of cash.
Lab-Created Luster
If the gemstone exudes an extra shiny appearance, it could signify that the piece is a synthetic lab-created imposter. Natural stones are far less likely to have a gaudy glassy gleam that’s associated with manufactured, heat-treated faux jewels.
Certificate of Authenticity
To ensure the authenticity of a gemstone, the seller should happily provide a GIA (gemological institute of America) certificate of authenticity, which verifies if the piece is synthetic, natural, or treated in some way. Several jewelers Williamsburg Va offer authentic, high-quality gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other natural (versus artificial) gemstones that can be customized to meet most individual specifications. When it comes to shopping for fine jewelry, It’s essential to buy only from reputable dealers.
Look for Imperfections
If the gemstone contains imperfections such as scratches, dark spots, bubbles, or dents, the gem is likely fake as natural stones are incredibly durable and not prone to these types of defects.
Generally speaking, wherever there’s a high demand for a specific commodity such as precious gemstones, there’s a thriving underground market churning out carefully crafted counterfeit clones. By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be more informed and, when purchasing fine jewelry, in a better position to separate fact from fiction.
