Differentiate Between Real And Fake Jewelry

Everyone seems to be fascinated with any piece of jewelry. Whether it has a certain meaning for the owner, perhaps a sentimental value or just for plain adornment, you would find it hard to know a single person who is not interested to own jewelry. Because of human fascination to jewelry, it is one of the most favorite items to be imitated by jewelry makers as a genuine piece is extraordinarily expensive.

So how do you know if the one that you are wearing is fake jewelry or real jewelry?

Here are some of the most popular jewelry pieces and their unique characteristics that will help you spot the difference between fake and real:

Diamonds – As always, you can get the opinion of a professional appraisal or you can test a diamond using a diamond tester. Also, you can check the transparency of the diamond by flipping it upside down and use it as a reading lens. Place it over a newspaper and try to read through. If you can do it effortlessly, doubt the originality of your diamond. Another method is called the loop test. Use magnifying lens to check the facets of the diamond. It should be sharp, not rolled. You can also look at the stamps in the inside setting. If you find a stamp like 10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 900, 950, PT, or Plat, it means the setting is real gold or platinum. It’s a good indicator then that the diamond is real. But if you saw “C.Z.” stamp, the stone is obviously fake.

Pearls – Pearls have names. It may be simulated, faux, glass, resin, artificial, or manmade. But a genuine pearl comes from freshwater or saltwater. Their shelter is from a variety of mollusks. To test whether your pearls are fake jewelry or real jewelry, try to bring them to a certified gemologist to perform the x-ray. Or, you may take out the pearls and hold it under the bright sunlight. If the color matched perfectly and you don’t see any variation in iridescence, most probably they are just impostors. Again, you may always get the clue from the setting. Pearls in high value setting like real gold or platinum could be genuine. Also, you can get the density of your pearls. Real pearls weighs heavier for their size compared to plastic, resin, or hollow glass pearls but sometimes, good glass pearls may have the same density as the real ones so don’t rely on density test alone.

Gold – Gold jewelry must undergo an acid test performed by a trusted jeweler to verify if it is fake jewelry or real jewelry. Also, you may look for the marking that will show the karat value of your gold jewelry. The karat system is used to determine the amount of gold in jewelry. 24k means it is a pure gold while 10k is the minimum karat of gold. Most gold jewelries are being mixed with metal to add strength and durability, to reduce cost, or to change the color. To make a white gold, nickel is added to the piece. Some people are allergic to nickel so palladium is being used instead. Real gold does not chip and tarnish over time. If it does, sure it is just gold plated jewelry.