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Diamond And Moissanite Testing
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Conventional diamond testers will differentiate between diamonds and most simulants based on thermal conductivity. This is the ability of a substance to conduct heat. Diamonds conduct heat very well, while most simulants simply do not. Note: Moissanite is also a good conductor of heat. A stone that tests as a diamond on a conventional diamond tester, can also be found to be moissanite. A conventional diamond tester will have a metal tip that becomes hot and measures the amount of heat loss from the tip when applied to another substance. When the same tip is applied to a diamond, the diamond takes the heat from the tip and then the tester will show as a diamond. Some simulants, like the white sapphire, can also conduct heat but not quite as well as a diamond. A diamond tester needs to be able to distinguish these lesser conductors from real diamonds. Most diamond testers will not register diamonds for such items. A problem when testing diamonds can occur if the tip of the diamond tester accidentally touches a metal prong. If the item is a good conductor of both heat and electricity, then metal was touched. (Note: Moissanite will also conduct electricity, but not nearly as well as a diamond and the metal indicator should not work if the stone is moissanite.) A method of distinguishing diamonds from moissanite must be used. There are several different methods available now, so it is necessary to test a stone in several places using a moissanite tester. A conventional diamond tester must always be used first. This will show without any doubt that the stone is either a simulant or diamond/moissanite. Once a stone can be proven to be a regular simulant, there is no reason to further test it on a moissanite tester. |
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