Fake with "Hearts and Arrows"

[Vanilla]

I am considering buying a stone from an Internet retailer and am somewhat concerned about the possibility of the stone being fake.

If the stone shows a clear "Hearts and Arrows" pattern using a Gems Fantasy scope then can I be absolutely sure that it is the real thing? Is it possible to fake the pattern?

What about other simple tests? If is possible for a well cut CZ or YAG to give 96-98% light return? If I shine a laser through the crown shouldn''t a real diamond reflect the majority of the light?

Is there such a thing as "Ideal" cut for fakes?

 

[winyan]

Vanilla

CZs are now cut in a H&A pattern, in a multitude of facet designs from Old cuts, to fantasy cuts.

CZ weight is a dead giveaway, weighing 1/2 again as much as the same size diamond. In other words a 1 ct. diamond weighs X while the same size CZ weighs x.5.

If you are purchasing a loose diamond, if you turn it over on it's 'face' if you can 'read through' the stone, i.e. see a line clearly on a piece of paper you've placed the stone, it's most like a cz.

I hope this helps a little.

win

 

[valeria101]

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On 10/7/2003 8:40:07 AM winyan wrote:


If you are purchasing a loose diamond, if you turn it over on it's 'face' if you can 'read through' the stone, i.e. see a line clearly on a piece of paper you've placed the stone, it's most like a cz. ----------------

Diamonds have grading reports and Ebay has Escrow and there are appraisers to intermediate for a signifficant buy. Otherwise, doing gem ID on your own depends on howmuch you are prepared to loose. There are quite a few types of simmulants. Not thát the answer above is bad. Just being cautious: what if you wanted to buy a 10ct piece this way !!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for serious things: Win, can YOU tell the difference in refraction index (the second receipe, right?) in small stones? It didn't occut me to try when I had the appropriate subject at hand... and now there only is one sapphire with me!

 

[mike04456]

Non-gemologists should not attempt to separate diamonds from simulants. It is a recipe for disaster. If you are genuinely concerned about getting taken, buy the stone from a vendor who is willing to send the stone to an independent appraiser first, or at least has a 30-day (or thereabouts) no-questions-asked refund policy.

 

[niceice]

The first thing to consider is which internet dealer is offering the diamond for sale? Most of the reputable dealers have built excellent reputations by delivering exactly what they advertise and by offering a reasonable return policy.

Does the dealer actually have the diamond that is being advertised or are they merely claiming that the diamond exhibits a Hearts & Arrows pattern because the cutter says that it does and thus the picture you are looking at on line is just a generic photo file... It is reasonable to expect the dealer to provide you with detailed clarity photographs and actual photographs of the hearts and arrows patterns.

Verify the good standing of the dealer within the industry by contacting The Jewelers Vigilance Committee http://www.jvclegal.org they serve to protect the interests of the public and the trade and are much more effective than the Better Business Bureau.

Be sure to have the characteristics of the diamond verified by an independent GIA Graduate Gemologist or the equivelent thereof. Refer tot he "appraisers" link at the top of this page for a list of qualified appraisers. Most dealers, including ourselves, will send a diamond to a verified independent appraiser for evaluation on behalf of the client prior to the client buying the stone provided that the client is willing to pay for the shipping.

 

[sylvesterii]

oops.

 

[magna2]

Vanilla,

If you buy from a reputable company, there is little to be concerned with. And do get it sent to an appraiser for an independent assessment if you have such a fear of being "taken" with a fake.

Buying from an B&M will not guarantee that you won't be sold a fake either if the jeweler is not reputable. The likelihood of your concern happening is slim to none especially if the retailer, whether internet or B&M, is reputable.