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If you have inherited jewelry or recently been gifted a piece, you might be wondering if the diamonds are real or of good quality. While you should take the advice of a licensed diamond buyer or jeweler, there are a few simples tests you can perform to gather initial information about the diamond you have.

How to Test Diamond Quality

1. Try the Water & Fog Test

First, you will want to make sure the diamond is real. Try the water test by filling a drinking glass about three-quarters full. Drop the gemstone into the water and see if it sinks or floats. If it is real, it will float, as diamonds are denser than fake gems. For the fog test, hold your diamond between two fingers and breathe on it. The fog creates by hot air should dissipate quickly if the diamond is real.

2. Attempt the Newspaper Test

If you’re still uncertain, try the newspaper test. Place the stone flat side down on a newspaper page. If you can read the letters through the stone under bright light, it is fake. Real diamonds have several facets that refract light, making it difficult to see the words through them.

3. Check Cut Quality

diamond buyer Cincinnati,OHOnce you determine you have a real diamond, you can look at essential characteristics. Excellent cut quality will sparkle and shine brilliantly at every angle. Some shapes will reflect the light more naturally, with round diamonds being the most objective one to judge. Whatever the shape, you want to look for brightness or the white light reflection, fire (that flash of color as your diamond sparkles), and scintillation, which is a balance between light and dark areas of the stone.

4. Inspect Color Quality

For the perfect diamond, you want no color at all. When you see more color in the stone itself, the quality gets lower. You may notice hints of yellow or brown, or it may be so subtle that you would need a diamond buyer’s expert eye to grade it. Place the diamond face down on a white sheet of paper to take note of any tints. This test does not include diamonds individually colored, like yellow, blue, or red varieties.

5. Look for Clarity

Clarity often refers to no inclusions or surface imperfections. The better the clarity, the higher the value, mainly because diamonds with high clarity are hard to find. Poor clarity also makes the gem more susceptible to damage.


If you need help in determining the quality of diamonds or you want to earn money on a few pieces, call the diamond buyers at American Trading Company. These family-owned pawn shops are Cincinnati, OH’s, choice when looking for the best value for items. From rare coins to guns, the shop offers more than 50 years of experience as well as a top-notch inventory to suit your needs. For more on their cash for gold or cash for scrap jewelry offerings, call their Harrison location at (513) 661-3633 or their Galbraith location at (513) 385-6789. Visit their website to view their FAQ page.

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