We’ve been led to believe that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But how do you know when you’ve got a fake friend on your hands?
Any professional jeweler knows that diamonds can be easy to fake. Sure, you might be able to tell a real diamond from a cursory glance, but even the most seasoned of jewelers have been fooled.
The only way to ensure that you’ve got the real thing is by using a diamond tester. Keep reading for the ins and outs of choosing the best diamond tester to tell apart the genuine gems from the fakes.
Why Buy a Diamond Tester?
The obvious reason to invest in a diamond tester is to check that the stones are genuine. But it goes a little further than that. As a seller, you always want to be 100% sure that the quality you’re providing your customers is genuine to maintain your reputation and integrity.
Once you have one mishap with a stone that isn’t genuine, it’s difficult to regain the trust of your clients. So, investing in a diamond tester is a wise and necessary investment in your reputation and business.
How Does a Diamond Tester Work?
Different rocks are made up of different mineral compositions. Diamond testers are small, usually, portable devices that analyze these mineral compositions to determine whether the minerals that make up the stone match the mineral composition of a diamond.
Common non-genuine diamonds include stones like moissanite and cubic zirconia. As diamonds are one of the strongest stones on earth, and these stones are slightly different in their mineral make-up, diamond testers can easily tell the difference.
Moissanite is a stone that is commonly mistaken for a diamond. Unlike diamonds, moissanite is made from silicon carbide and produced in laboratories. Moissanite is slightly less dense and hard than a diamond, making it easy to detect the difference with a diamond tester.
Diamond and moissanite testers usually work using either heat or electricity to analyze the composition of the stone. Once the composition has been analyzed, a verbal or visual cue will indicate the stone’s status. Heat testing is usually considered slightly less reliable as it can be fooled by a moissanite stone.
Using a tester that works on electrical conductivity will yield a more reliable result on whether you’ve got a diamond or moissanite stone. Dual testers, which test for both diamonds and moissanite, are first prize when it comes to accuracy.
What Should I Spend on a Diamond Tester
Because diamond testers that use electricity are more accurate, they will end up being slightly more expensive than those that use heat. A diamond tester’s price will depend entirely on your budget. Prices range from anywhere between $120 to $250.
Some diamond testers will include multiple features for testing and identifying different gemstones, while some work to test for certain stones like moissanite or white sapphire only. The cost will also depend on how the device displays its results. So if you’re looking to invest in a more professional diamond tester with an LED display, you’re probably going to be spending upwards of $200. But the investment is definitely worth it!
Diamond Testers: A Few of The Best
There are quite a few diamond testers on the market, and like diamonds, it can be difficult to tell which ones are the best quality for your investment. To make this important decision a whole lot easier, we’ve narrowed down a few of the best diamond testers on the market today.
While some of these might only test for specific stones, here is a list according to their convenience, design, and accuracy.
Gemlogis LAPIS Multi-Tester
This tester comes out on top when it comes to its sleek design and ergonomic use. It’s rechargeable and can be conveniently placed on shop counters. It is lightweight, easy to handle and will distiguish betweeen diamonds, moissanite, simulants, & metal. A great choice at an afforable price point.
GemOro TESTEROSSA w/Ultradock
GemOro testers are well-known for their accuracy and reliability and have a wide array of options that suit any budget. This tester has a 10-year warranty and comes recommended by professional jewelers.
Options include testers for diamonds only or multiple stones, including white sapphire and moissanite. It even comes with a sleek ultra dock feature to keep its batteries charged and ready to use on the go or in your shop.
GemOro ULTRAtester 3
All the benfits of the GemOro Testerossa, but at a slightly lower cost. The Ultradock is sold seperately with this unit and the warranty on the tip is for 2 years. These changes allow for a savings in the price of the unit while still receiving the best quality testing product.
Gemlogis MANTIS with optional BLEU Reference Meter
The Ultimate tester that distinguishes between diamond, moissanite, and simulant. MANTIS features a built-in Visible Violet light for enhanced accuracy. Furthermore, it works seamlessly with the Gemlogis BLEU via a wireless connection to indicate a variety of popular colorstones.
The Gemlogis BLEU is a great option if you’re looking for a bright, easy-to-read display. This meter must be used in conjunction with the Gemlogis MANTIS and connects wirelessly. The LCD screen displays extensive details to further expand on the stone’s properties.
This is a great option if you’re looking to test stones other than diamonds as well. The best thing about the referential meter is the ability to enter the stone’s color on the LCD touch-screen to increase the accuracy of the identification.
DiamondNite Dual Tester
The battery-powered DiamondNite dual tester makes the list for its speed and ability to test for both diamonds and moissanite in one step! The DiamondNite Dual Tester takes about 8 seconds to warm up, and you only have to wait 1 second between tests.
This tester is also completely portable and simple to use while boasting 100% accuracy in its analyses. What we like about it is its simplicity in design and display. One continuous beep and green light, and you’ve got yourself a diamond. If you hear a lower beep and a red light pops up, that means your stone is moissanite.
Find that Diamond in The Rough
The only foolproof way to test whether or not you’ve got a diamond on your hands is by using a diamond tester. Fake stones can be difficult to spot, and selling a fake diamond is a mistake you never want to make at the risk of ruining your credibility as a jeweler.
Diamond testers vary in cost and functionality, and this guide has only looked at a handful of testers on the market. For more information on diamond testers and other jewelry and watch-making equipment, get in touch today!