Does Moissanite Pass Diamond Tester: Detailed Analysis

March 02, 2024

In the gemstone market, moissanite is a popular diamond alternative known for its dazzling brilliance and remarkable hardness. If you've acquired a piece of jewelry and are curious whether it's adorned with this synthetic gemstone, there are several methods to test for moissanite. Understanding these techniques can help you identify moissanite from diamonds or other gemstones, ensuring you know exactly what's in your collection. Here's a straightforward guide on how to test for moissanite and does moissanite pass diamond tester?

The Basics of Diamond Testing

Diamond testers are handy tools used by jewelers and gemologists to verify the authenticity of diamonds. These devices typically work by measuring thermal conductivity—the ability of a material to conduct heat. Diamonds are exceptional heat conductors, a property that most diamond testers rely on to differentiate diamonds from other gemstones.

However, the catch lies in the fact that moissanite also exhibits high thermal conductivity, akin to diamonds. This means that when using a basic diamond tester that only measures this specific property, moissanite could indeed pass as a diamond.

How Can You Test Moissanite? A Simple Guide

Visual Inspection

1. Look for Double Refraction: Unlike diamonds, which exhibit single refraction, moissanite has double refraction. This means when you look closely at the gemstone, especially through its facets at an angle, you might see two of each facet line or a "doubling" effect. This is a unique characteristic of moissanite due to its crystal structure.

1. Examine the Brilliance and Fire: Moissanite is known for its exceptional brilliance and fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum). While diamonds also have significant brilliance, moissanite's fire is more pronounced, displaying vibrant rainbows. If your gemstone sparkles with intense colored light, it might be moissanite.

Using Tools and Equipment

1. Moissanite Tester: Dedicated moissanite testers are designed to distinguish moissanite from diamonds based on their electrical conductivity. Since moissanite conducts electricity differently than diamonds, these testers can provide a clear indication. However, it's important to note that these devices specifically test for moissanite and not other types of gemstones.

2. Jeweler’s Loupe: A jeweler's loupe can be used for a more detailed visual inspection. With magnification, you can look for signs of double refraction, a characteristic that is much easier to spot with this tool. Additionally, you can inspect the stone for inclusions or flaws that might not be present in a diamond.

3. LED Light Source: Shining an LED light through the gemstone can help highlight its fire and brilliance. By observing the colors that emerge, you might be able to distinguish moissanite's more pronounced colorful sparkle from that of a diamond.

Professional Gemological Testing

For certainty, professional testing by a gemologist is recommended. Gemological institutes have advanced equipment, such as spectroscopes, that can accurately identify moissanite by analyzing its optical properties. These tests can definitively distinguish moissanite from diamonds and other gemstones, offering peace of mind about your jewelry's composition.

Testing Methods for Moissanite: A Comparison

Method	Tool Required	What It Tests For	How to Perform	Indication of Moissanite
Visual Inspection	None	Double refraction, brilliance, and fire	Look closely at the gemstone for double facets and intense colored light sparkles.	Visible doubling of facets, intense fire
Moissanite Tester	Moissanite Tester	Electrical conductivity	Place the tester probe on the gemstone.	Tester indicates presence of moissanite
Jeweler’s Loupe	Jeweler's Loupe	Double refraction and inclusions	Use the loupe to inspect for double refraction and specific inclusions.	Clear signs of double refraction
LED Light Source	LED Light	Brilliance and fire	Shine an LED light through the gemstone.	Pronounced colorful sparkle
Professional Testing	Spectroscope (used by professionals)	Optical properties	Performed by a gemologist with specialized equipment.	Accurate identification of moissanite

Identifying moissanite involves a combination of visual inspections, using specialized tools, and, if necessary, professional gemological testing. While moissanite shares many qualities with diamonds, its unique properties like double refraction and enhanced fire can help distinguish it. Whether you're a jewelry enthusiast or a professional in the field, understanding how to test for moissanite enriches your knowledge of gemstones, enabling you to appreciate the beauty and characteristics of each piece in your collection

Accurate Identification: Beyond the Diamond Tester

For those looking to accurately differentiate between moissanite and diamonds, relying on a single test is not advisable. A combination of methods, including the use of advanced diamond testers, visual inspection under magnification, and other gemological tests, is recommended. These might include observing the stone's brilliance, fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and examining the cut facets for differences that are characteristic of each gemstone.

Does moissanite pass diamond tester?

Yes, moissanite does pass a diamond tester that measures thermal conductivity because it is also an effective conductor of heat, similar to diamonds​. Basic diamond testers typically only assess thermal conductivity, which means they might not differentiate between diamonds and moissanite​.

However, it's important to differentiate between types of diamond testers: those that measure thermal conductivity alone might not distinguish moissanite from diamond, whereas testers that also assess electrical conductivity are designed to identify moissanite specifically, since moissanite and diamond conduct electricity differently.

For a conclusive identification, gemologists often recommend using a combination of tests, including visual inspection under magnification, to observe for differences in brilliance, fire, and facets, as well as advanced spectroscopic methods for an accurate determination.

Explore our selection of stunning Moissanite engagement rings here. For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact us at your convenience.