How to Avoid Buying a Fake Diamond Ring

You may think you're an expert at spotting fake jewels, but with some of the new diamond facsimiles on the market, even a jeweler might not be able to spot the imposters.Does this Spark an idea?

1Ask if the stone is a genuine diamond or if it is a cubic zirconia, moissanite or other synthetic substance. A reputable jeweler will give you an honest answer.

2Look at the setting and mount. Since stones such as cubic zirconia are so much cheaper than diamonds, they are sometimes set in inferior metals.

3Check the wear and tear on the stone. A cubic zirconia is not as durable as a diamond and may show signs of scratches or nicks.

4Take the stone to a trusted jeweler. Looking through a jeweler's loupe, he or she should be able to spot a fake stone right away. If the jeweler cannot tell by examining the stone, he or she will have instruments that can verify its authenticity.

5It is highly recommended that you obtain a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GIA, the largest impartial diamond grading authority in the world, issues a grading report after it examines the diamond and details it specifications.

6Have the stone appraised by an independent appraiser who is affiliated with a professional organization such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). Ask for a certificate indicating the value and characteristics of the stone.