What is how to tell if a diamond is real with a flashlight?

Here's how you can use a flashlight to get clues about a diamond's authenticity:

• The Sparkle Test (Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation): Real diamonds exhibit a distinctive type of sparkle.

  • Brilliance: This refers to the intense white light that reflects from the diamond. Shine the flashlight directly down through the top of the stone. A real diamond will reflect a lot of white light back to your eye. A fake diamond, like a cubic zirconia, will reflect less. Learn more about diamond%20brilliance.

  • Fire: This is the colored light that refracts from the diamond. Look for flashes of rainbow colors. Diamonds disperse light into a spectrum of colors more effectively than many simulants. A lack of colored light flashes suggests it may not be a diamond. Explore diamond%20fire for a deeper understanding.

  • Scintillation: This is the sparkle or pattern of light and dark areas you see when the diamond or the light source moves. Real diamonds have a lively scintillation.

• The Dot Test (Refraction): This test utilizes how diamonds refract light.

  1. Draw a small dot on a piece of paper with a pen.
  2. Place the stone flat side down on the dot.
  3. Look at the dot through the pointed end of the stone.
  4. If you can see a clear reflection of the dot, or a circle-like reflection, the stone is likely not a diamond. A real diamond bends the light so much that you won't be able to see the dot clearly. Read more about diamond%20refraction.

• The Fog Test (Condensation): While less directly related to a flashlight, you can combine it.

  1. Breathe on the stone as you would fogging up a mirror.
  2. A real diamond will disperse the heat quickly, and the fog will disappear almost instantly.
  3. A fake diamond will stay fogged for a longer time.

• Important Considerations: These flashlight tests are not foolproof. Some diamond simulants are very convincing. These tests should be considered preliminary checks only. For a definitive assessment, consult a qualified gemologist.