Fraudulent facets

Diamond fraudsters dupe consumers of all types, including savvy investors and collectors. The global diamond trade, like many other collectable markets, is at the mercy of the absence of transparency. Buyers must cautiously scrutinize gemstones and other low-utility/high-value objects. Here are practical ways for fraud examiners to avoid rip-offs.

Thanks to a brilliant 1940s marketing campaign by diamond conglomerate De Beers, buying a diamond engagement ring has become the symbol of love betrothed. Maybe you know something about the “4 Cs” of diamond shopping (clarity, cut, color and carat) so you can carry on a conversation with sales people at the jewelry counter. Maybe you saw the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, “Blood Diamond,” and you want to purchase a “conflict-free” stone. But what if you’re asked about shape and symmetry? Do you know about inclusion density and brilliance grades and how carat weight affects these parameters?