DIAMOND IMPOSTERS: 3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Diamond

February 21st, 2019

Buying a Diamond substitute is okay if it saves a few bucks, right?

Get real! The answer is No. In fact…Kick fake rocks. That’s right – avoid them at all costs. As you journey into the world of Diamond buying, you’ll sometimes be offered Diamond alternatives that dazzle the eye but offer little of the cache, rarity and lasting value of a real Diamond. With so many Diamond imposters out there, it can be tempting to settle for one in an effort to save money. But, bonded leather is not real leather. Gold plating does not last like real Gold. Diamond imposters are not real Diamonds. Why settle for fakery when you can have the real thing?

2014, Diamond and Jewelry Gallery, pic, loose diamonds
Whether you have a safe full of them, or whether this is your very first purchase, be sure you know exactly what type of Diamond you are buying. You can avoid Diamond imposters by asking details; and, not just: “Is it real?” You need to know more than that since “real” can mean a host of different things in the retail industry. Here are the top three questions to ask before you buy any Diamond:

Question #1. Is this Diamond Lab Created?

You may be hearing a lot right now about CVD diamonds. Though it’s quite a popular trend, CVDs aren’t real, but, instead, are synthetic, lab-created diamonds. Also known as cultivated or cultured diamonds, these are manmade “products” that only exist because they’ve been manipulated and produced by design. Unlike real Diamonds, which form over millions of years in a natural, geological process, CVDs, though made of the same pure carbon like a Diamond, are developed through an artificially sped-up engineering process. The two most common technologies are high pressure/high temperature or chemical vapor deposition crystal formation. Do not listen to a retailer who tells you that lab-created, or CVD diamonds are just as genuine as a natural Diamond. They are imposters. Lab-grown, or CVD diamonds, are essentially “microwave diamonds.”

Asscher-Cut-Halo-Diamond-Engagement-Ring

Question #2. Is This an Imitation Diamond?

Imitation diamonds are the worst kind of imposters because they are not even made of carbon. Imitation diamonds are made of materials that resemble a real Diamond like the widely-used Cubic Zirconia or other gems like Moissanite. They may look pretty when they are set, but they have none of the brilliance and lasting, generational value of a Diamond. Lab-grown or imitation diamonds have absolutely no resale value.

Question #3. Is This Diamond Certified & Conflict-Free?

Getting a certified Diamond insures that you know everything about your stone. The certification will tell you the color, cut, carat size, clarity and other important details. It is essentially the pedigree of your Diamond. Although there are others, the most widely-used and trusted certification houses are GIA and EGL. Conflict free Diamonds simply mean that they have been mined and shipped in an ethical and humane way. Be careful, because many retailers are now marketing lab-created or CVD diamonds as the best way to insure that your stone is conflict free. Beware of that gimmick. It’s a trick because CVD diamonds are conflict free only because they are a manmade product and not at all real. Make sure that the Diamond you purchase is genuine, natural and conflict free.

Real Diamonds. Real Affordable.

For a premium shopping experience and fine jewelry prices affordable to very budget, consider visiting the Diamond experts at the Diamond and Jewelry Gallery Studio City. Located in the heart of the “red carpet district,” the store received “Favorite Jewelry Store” honors and lists customer referrals as its number one form of business. The spot offers offers a huge selection of certified and conflict free Diamonds with L.A.’s best pricing at 50-75% below retail daily. While you’re there, ask about their unbeatable limited time offer of a free matching wedding band with any diamond engagement ring purchase. Call 818-982-4444; or visit diamondandjewelrygallery.com.

-T.O.

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