Investing in diamonds: beware of “fake diamonds”

Synthetic diamonds are not really fake diamonds. They consist of carbon after all, squished together under high pressure and high temperature. Unlike real diamonds however, that took millions of years to form in nature, synthetic diamonds only take a few days to produce. Synthetic diamonds cannot be distinguished from real diamonds with the naked eye, but real diamonds 30% more valuable than synthetic ones.

According to analysts, “fake diamonds” primarily come from China. There are about 10,000 machines that can reproduce diamonds of impeccable quality. One machine can supposedly produce 50 carats per day. Currently about 1% percent of diamonds on the market are synthetic. Some predict that after some time at this current production rate this will go to 15%.

Very recently these synthetic diamonds are not only available in India and China, but they also emerge on foreign markets.

They are being mixed with real diamonds making them really difficult to trace. This fraudulent technique is applied mainly to smaller stones, which are leftovers from cutting larger diamonds. These stones are processed in jewellery or traded with melees. One needs to pay extra heed to this when investing in diamonds.

The Antwerp diamond sector responds: “We are aware of the problem and we are extremely alert,” states Margaux Donckier, spokesperson for the AWDC, the umbrella organization for the Antwerp diamond industry. “Fake diamonds are always a concern and there are is a lot of control, for smaller stones as well.” Trust in the diamond trade is essential, especially for melees. The Diamond High Council for example, has machines at their disposal that can distinguish small diamonds from real ones as well.

Good advice is important when investing in diamonds. BNT Diamonds only delivers diamonds, certified by the three internationally renowned laboratories: HRD, GIA and IGI. Every polished diamond over 0.3 carat has its own certificate.