Is Your Diamond Real? Here’s How to Tell

Determining the authenticity of a diamond requires professional equipment and a highly trained eye. At-home tests do exist—from the fog test to the water-drop test—but the only way to be sure is by bringing your piece to a jeweler or buying a diamond that has a third-party certification.

At a time when knockoffs and dupes have become increasingly ubiquitous, investing in a diamond can feel high-stakes. Buying from a reputable jeweler who can provide a certification from somewhere like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), however, will always be your safest bet. This is because determining the authenticity of a gemstone requires a highly trained eye and advanced testing equipment in a professional setting. While at-home tests do exist (more on that later), most experts don’t sugge