If you're shopping for diamonds, you need to distinguish between a crystal and a diamond. Many people are unaware of these differences and buy substandard gems for an exorbitant price. At Masina Diamonds, we offer quality jewelry at favorable prices. There are many factors to consider when shopping for this type of jewelry.
Consider the following factors to be a to tell the difference between a diamond and a crystal:
1. Primary Color
A diamond should have a clear, bright yellow or white color. A crystal will be off-white or cloudy looking. Yellow diamonds are becoming more and more popular, especially in the wedding ring market. These diamonds look like pearls and are generally not as expensive as white diamonds. This is also a great way to tell the difference between crystal and diamond because a yellow diamond will be noticeably lighter than a white one.
2. Secondary Color
A diamond should have no secondary colors. A crystal will have yellowish or brownish streaks that appear in the stone. If a color is seen at all, it should be a very light yellow or brown, if at all.
3. Surface Streaks
Diamonds are usually cleaner than crystals, although this can be deceiving to some people. Some diamonds may seem to have speckles on them simply because of the cut, but this is normal for most diamonds. The best way to tell the difference between a crystal and a diamond is by the appearance of the surface. A stone should feel smooth, while a diamond will be bumpy.
4. Cut
A diamond will usually have more facets than a clear crystal. This is because diamonds are more elongated than crystals, and therefore it is easier to achieve multiple angles on them to make sure cuts are possible. A diamond has a hardness rating of 10, while a crystal is usually rated at around 7-8. Make sure you don't get confused over this because many manufacturers will add to the value of their product by falsely reporting the actual hardness of their gems. It is also essential to know that some crystals can be even more complex than diamonds depending on composition and structure.
When shopping for diamonds and other gemstones, it is good to do some research beforehand to know what you're looking for. This will help you to avoid overpaying for a substandard product. The best way to tell the difference between crystal and diamond is by comparing them visually and physically. For more information and clarifications Call us.
FAQs
Surface Streaks
How to tell the difference between a crystal and a diamond? ›
One significant aspect that differentiates them is their hardness. Diamonds, renowned for their supreme hardness, score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, while most crystals are softer. The geometry of these stones also diverges. Diamonds display a harmonious symmetry, whereas crystals reveal an array of crystal systems.
What are three ways you could tell diamond from quartz? ›
There are many ways, hardness (diamond will scratch quartz, quartz can't scratch diamond), refraction (diamond will break white light into rainbow spectra, quartz spectra are not clearly defined), specific gravity (measures density) and more. The first two should do. Shape, color, or simply use a diamond tester.
How to differentiate diamond from quartz? ›
Crystal Form:
The most common mineral that looks like a diamond is quartz and it is hexagonal form. When looking down on the crystals from the top, with the point of the crystal aimed at your eye, quartz will have six sides and a diamond will have four sides. If you see six sides than you probably found quartz.
How do you tell the difference between glass and a diamond? ›
| Diamond | Glass |
|---|
| Diamond is crystalline. | Glass is non-crystalline. |
| Diamond comes with carbon flaws. | Glass is flawless. |
| Diamond has natural shining. | Glass has artificial shining. |
| The source of diamond is nature. | Glass is man-made. |
1 more rowUV Light Check
Diamonds are made of carbon, and when UV light hits them, they may fluoresce. If you shine a black light on your diamond, and it glows, it is likely a real diamond. If it doesn't glow, it may still be real, but you should look into further testing.
How to tell a real diamond by eye? ›
Two other quick and simple ways to spot a real diamond is by looking at how it sparkles in light and how much you can see through it. A real diamond appears gray and white inside (brilliance) when held to the light and can reflect rainbow colors (fire) onto other surfaces.
How do you tell a raw diamond from a crystal? ›
Use a corundum piece to scrape the crystal.
Scrape the suspected diamond against the corundum while holding it firmly against a table. The crystal is a diamond if it leaves a visible scratch. It is a different mineral if it does not scratch.
How to identify diamond rock at home? ›
Performing Simple Tests at Home
Diamonds are cubic, while other similar stones like quartz are hexagonal. Look down at the point of the crystal and count the number of sides. If there are 4 sides, there's a possibility the crystal is a diamond. If there are 6 sides, it means that it's likely a quartz crystal.
How can scientists tell if a gemstone is really a diamond? ›
However, the best way to spot a fake diamond is to take it to a jeweler for thermal and electrical conductivity tests. This requires an expensive machine, but it can tell the difference between diamond and moissanite.
Pinpoints. These are very small white or black crystals that are embedded inside a diamond. These internal crystals look like a small dot, visible at 10x magnification.
What is the easiest way to identify quartz? ›
It breaks into curved shards rather than flat-faced cleavage fragments, meaning it exhibits conchoidal fracture. Almost always clear or white. Almost always present in light-colored rocks and in sandstones. If found in crystals, quartz always has a hexagonal cross-section like that of a common pencil.
How could you tell the difference between a crystal of cubic zirconia and a diamond? ›
In cut stones, cubic zirconia tends to have dull, rounded edges, while diamonds' facets stay sharp. Diamonds rarely show polish marks, but if they do, they will be in different directions on different facets.
How to tell the difference between crystal and diamond? ›
A diamond will usually have more facets than a clear crystal. This is because diamonds are more elongated than crystals, and therefore it is easier to achieve multiple angles on them to make sure cuts are possible. A diamond has a hardness rating of 10, while a crystal is usually rated at around 7-8.
How can you tell a diamond from a flashlight? ›
A real diamond will reflect light easily, and provide you with a disco ball or rainbow-like display. You can use a flashlight or lamp to do this and it will work best with white light rather than yellow. If the stone absorbs the light, then there's a chance that it's a fake.
How can you tell if a diamond is real without a magnifying glass? ›
Diamond Fog Test
Take a big breath, as if you are trying to fog up a mirror. As you breathe onto the stone, you are looking to see if the stone clears up or remains cloudy. The moisture and heat in our breath create a fog, and if the stone is in fact a diamond, the diamond will disperse the heat very quickly.
Does crystal sparkle like a diamond? ›
Brilliance. Since it reflects light, the diamond is brilliant and effortlessly sparkles when exposed to ordinary light. This property makes it very brilliant. On the other hand, Crystal is not a brilliant perse because it does not have any reflecting property.
How can you tell if a stone is real or crystal? ›
Real crystals should feel cold to the touch. They'll warm up when they sit against your skin for a while, but they won't retain that heat for long. Fake crystals often match the ambient room temperature or feel lukewarm. They also warm up with ease, and they'll often retain that heat for a few minutes.
How can you tell if a rock is diamond at home? ›
Place a suspected diamond on the surface of the water and, if it floats or doesn't adhere to the surface, it might be a rough diamond. Diamond testers are handheld devices that measure a gem's thermal conductivity. Real diamonds disperse heat rapidly, while most other gemstones do not.
