Moissanite Can Pass Diamond Tester Or Not
Diamonds usually take center stage in elegant jewelry pieces. But did you know there are other gemstones that can make an engagement ring just as stunning? Moissanite is a fantastic diamond alternative—not to mention way more affordable. What’s more, it even tests positive on a diamond tester, just like a real diamond.
How does a diamond tester work?
A diamond tester is a small, handheld device that checks whether a stone is a real diamond by measuring its electrical and thermal conductivity. It’s designed to accurately tell if the gem is an actual diamond or just another type of stone, based on the stone’s physical properties.
Most testers work by analyzing either electrical or thermal conductivity, but there are also multi-testers that can check both at the same time for a more reliable result.
In the case of the diamond testers that test the thermal conductivity of the gemstone, the testers can test the amount, as well as the speed at which heat travels through the gemstone. If, on the other hand, the electrical conductivity is tested, the tester measures the speed and the amount of electrical current that passes through the gemstone in question.
The test type notwithstanding, the principle of operation for the diamond tester is based on principle – the fact that all gemstones have different chemical structures, which translates to varying levels/ degrees of electrical and thermal conductivity. So, the way electricity or heat passes through a diamond is not the same as it passes through the CZ or the moissanite.
When testing diamonds, for example, you’d have to place the tip of the tester on the surface of the diamond to check the conductivity rate.
Does moissanite pass diamond tester? Why?
Although the diamond tester is the most common/ standard gemological equipment used to test diamonds, it is not the most effective testing option for moissanite because it will only detect the gemstone’s thermal conductivity and not the electrical conductivity. This means that the tester wouldn’t be able to differentiate diamonds from moissanite. In other words, the diamond tester cannot tell moissanite from diamonds, and the moissanite passes the diamond’s thermal test.
Wondering why? Well, in as much as the heat conductivity of the moissanite is different from diamond’s, the difference is very small, and the diamond tester cannot perceive this small difference. Other diamond testers are incorrectly calibrated, and there are many cases where there will be a difference.
Between diamonds and moissanite, the moissanite is very (slightly) highly conductive to electricity, but this difference can only be detected with specialized equipment.
There is no obvious difference between moissanite and diamond in terms of shape and hardness, and moissanite has a price advantage. It is recommended that you choose more moissanite products.