Will Moissanite Pass a Diamond Tester?
Are you considering purchasing a moissanite ring but worried about its authenticity? You’re not alone. With its diamond-like appearance, it’s easy to mistake moissanite for the real thing. But will moissanite pass a diamond tester?
The answer is not straightforward. Basic diamond testers that rely on thermal conductivity can sometimes be fooled by moissanite stones. This is because moissanite has a higher thermal conductivity than other diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia.
However, more advanced moissanite testers are available on the market that can accurately distinguish between diamonds and moissanite stones. These testers work by measuring electrical conductivity or UV light absorption, which are unique properties of moissanite.
It’s important to note that Mohs hardness is not an accurate indicator of whether a stone is a diamond or moissanite. While diamonds are the hardest mineral on earth with a score of 10 on the Mohs scale, moissanite comes in at 9.25.
So what should you do if you want to ensure your stone passes muster? Consider taking your jewelry to a reputable jeweler who has experience with both diamonds and moissanites. They can use their expertise and specialized equipment to determine whether your stone is authentic.
How Does Moissanite Pass Diamond Tester
Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative that has gained popularity in recent years. It is known for its brilliance, durability, and affordability. One of the most frequently asked questions about moissanite is whether it can pass a diamond tester. In this section, we’ll explore how moissanite passes diamond testers.
Once a stone tests as diamond or moissanite on a pen tester, confirming magnification tests should be performed via microscope!
Similar Thermal Conductivity to Diamonds
People use these to test diamonds because diamonds have super high conductivity. One of the main reasons why moissanite can pass a diamond tester is due to its thermal conductivity. Moissanite has a similar thermal conductivity to diamonds, which means it conducts heat at almost the same rate as diamonds. Diamond testers work by measuring how quickly heat moves through a stone. Since moissanite conducts heat similarly to diamonds, it will register as a diamond on many testers.
Different Electrical Conductivity from Diamonds
While moissanite shares similar thermal conductivity with diamonds, its electrical conductivity differs from that of diamonds. However, some diamond testers may not be able to detect this difference and give false positive results for moissanite.
Potential Misidentification
Although moissanite can pass some diamond testers, it’s important to note that not all diamond testers are created equal. Some may give inaccurate results or false positives for other stones like cubic zirconia or white sapphire. This can lead to confusion and potential misidentification if you’re not familiar with the characteristics of different stones.
Understanding Moissanite and Diamond Testing
Moissanite is a diamond alternative that has gained popularity in recent years. Discovered by French chemist Henri Moissan in 1893, it wasn’t until the 1990s that synthetic moissanite became available as a gemstone. Today, synthetic moissanite is readily available and often used in engagement rings as a more affordable option to diamonds.
Gemological equipment used to test diamonds can also detect moissanites due to their refractive properties. While natural moissanite is rare, synthetic moissanite has become increasingly popular and is often difficult to distinguish from real diamonds without proper testing.
So, what makes moissanite unique? Unlike diamonds, which are formed deep within the earth’s mantle over millions of years, moissanites are created in a lab using advanced technology. This means they have different physical and chemical properties than natural diamonds but share similar optical properties.
Gemological equipment such as diamond testers use thermal conductivity to determine if the stone is genuine or not. However, this method may not always be reliable when testing for moissanites since they have similar thermal conductivity as real diamonds.Due to this, basic diamond testers that observe only the heat conductivity won’t be able to differentiate between moissanite and real diamonds.
Can Moissanite Pass a Diamond Tester? Low-Conductivity Moissanite
Can moissanite actually be passed off as a fake diamond? Low-conductivity moissanite can sometimes pass traditional diamond tests because these tests measure thermal conductivity, where moissanite and diamond are quite similar. To accurately distinguish them, more advanced testing methods are needed, as standard testers might incorrectly identify moissanite as diamond.
Low Electrical Conductivity
Diamond testers work by testing the electrical conductivity of the material being tested. Diamonds are excellent conductors of electricity, which is why they can be easily distinguished from other materials that have lower electrical conductivity.
Moissanite, on the other hand, has very low electrical conductivity. This means that it will not conduct electricity well enough to register as a diamond on a diamond tester. In fact, moissanite’s electrical conductivity is so low that it can even be used to test whether a diamond tester is working properly.
Thermal Conductivity
In addition to its low electrical conductivity, moissanite also has lower thermal conductivity than diamonds. Thermal conductivity refers to how well a material conducts heat. While moissanite’s thermal conductivity is higher than most other gemstones, it is still only about 1.4 times higher than that of diamonds.
This means that if you were to use a thermal probe instead of an electric probe in your testing device, you would still be able to distinguish between diamonds and moissanites based on their thermal properties.
White Sapphire vs Diamond, Moissanite, and CZ: Using a Pen Tester
When comparing a white sapphire with a diamond, moissanite, and cubic zirconia (CZ) using a pen tester. These are also called thermal conductivity pen testers. (a common tool for gemstone identification), several distinctions emerge:
- Diamond: A diamond, known for its exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity, typically responds positively to the pen tester. The tester, designed to detect these properties, easily differentiates a diamond from other stones due to its unique conductivity levels. If the stone is a real diamond, the device will beep and/or indicate that on the screen.
- Moissanite: While moissanite closely resembles a diamond in terms of brilliance and hardness, it differs in thermal and electrical conductivity. A pen tester might not always accurately identify moissanite, especially if it’s calibrated solely for diamonds, due to its somewhat similar conductivity properties. The major tests jewelers use to tell real diamonds from other white stones are confirming they are singly refractive, have 10/10 hardness, and super high conductivity.
- Cubic Zirconia (CZ): CZ is a synthetic stone that mimics the appearance of a diamond but lacks its thermal and electrical properties. A pen tester, which measures these conductivities, will typically not indicate CZ as a diamond, differentiating it effectively due to its markedly lower conductivity levels.CZ, white sapphire, and white topaz do not have high conductivity using a pen tester.
- White Sapphire: White sapphire, although visually similar to a diamond, has significantly lower thermal and electrical conductivity. When tested with a pen tester, it does not exhibit the high conductivity characteristics of a diamond, making it easily distinguishable from a diamond, moissanite, and CZ in this regard.
In summary, a pen tester, which assesses thermal and electrical properties, can effectively differentiate a diamond from white sapphire, moissanite, and CZ, with varying degrees of accuracy depending on the specific properties of each stone. Whereas the high conductivity gems show rainbow sparkle, white sapphire shows white and silver sparkle.
Conclusion: Can Moissanite Pass a Diamond Tester?
In conclusion, the use of a diamond tester to determine if a stone is genuine can be tricky. Moissanite, which is a popular alternative to diamonds due to its affordability and durability, has low electrical conductivity that allows it to pass as diamond on some testers. However, it is important to note that not all diamond testers are created equal and some may be able to detect moissanite.
If you are considering purchasing moissanite as an alternative to diamond, it is recommended that you do your research and choose a reputable dealer who provides accurate information about their products. You can also consider getting your stone certified by an independent gemological laboratory for added assurance.
Overall, while moissanite may pass some diamond testers, it is not a guarantee and there are ways to ensure that you are getting what you paid for. By being informed and taking necessary precautions, you can confidently enjoy the beauty of moissanite without worrying about its authenticity. With the naked eye, a high-quality moissanite and diamond will be almost indistinguishable.
So if you’re in the market for an affordable yet durable alternative to diamonds, consider moissanite – just make sure you take the necessary steps to ensure its authenticity before making your purchase.
