Laboratory-grown diamonds v. Multitester. Unexpected results! Testing diamonds

[@pflv]

Excellent Excellent Excellent video and 100% accurate. I have been in the diamond business for 45 years and have been selling Lab Grown diamonds for the past 7 years. I was one of the first in the world to sell lab grown diamonds to consumers , so I am very knowledgeable of them and know all of their nuances. The nice lady in this video was 100% accurate in her info about Boron being the culprit in HPHT Grown Diamonds giving false readings as Moissanite on some diamond testers. Boron is used as a catalyst in growing HPHT grown diamonds (it speeds up the process) and it conducts electricity. Boron also gives some HPHT grown diamonds a slight blue hue which is very pretty. Boron is also the element in Natural diamonds then make for those very blue colors and extremely high prices. The HOPE Diamond in the Smithsonian Institute is naturally blue because of Boron in the diamond, and if tested by some diamond testers would test as Moissanite which of course is completely wrong. So, in my opinion do not use any Presidium testers as those are always fooled by HPHT grown diamonds and give false readings. I suggest Diamond Tester II, found on Amazon for only US$15. It only test for Diamond nothing more whether it be natural or lab grown. If it doesn't beep when the prong touches the surface of the stone you are testing then it is not diamond. Simple...easy as 1,2,3. Compliments to the Gem Academy lady for putting out a 100% accurate video on this subject.

[@JewelsoftheTrade]

Everyone in the jewelry industry should know this! Thank you for sharing such important information!!!

[@TheGemAcademy]

Thank you, JOTT! I agree! We want our gem professionals full of knowledge so there’s never a confusion on this matter :)

[@HaywoodsGems]

Great video, have been asked recently why a lab grown diamond tested as synthetic moissanite and I thought it was probably due to the presence of boron but wasn't sure so thank you for confirming my hunch!

[@azhar2626]

I highly appreciate your wonderful videos and how you explain the diamond testers. EXCELLENT JOB

[@bobbybarron9839]

Thank you for this post - I recently had someone ask me why they had a diamond test Moissanite - I can look at it and tell that it wasn’t moissanite and my Jewelry Inspector indicated lab grown. So in the end I could say that it was a lab grown diamond but I couldn’t explain why they were getting a moissanite reading

[@TheGemAcademy]

Thank you for this comment! I’ve had a valuer tell me a similar story - everything was pointing to a lab grown diamond but this result really confused them and had them second guessing themselves!I have faith that us trained to spot moissanite can do so… but it’s nice to know the answers :)

[@TheGemAcademy]

Also thrilled to hear you have a jewellery inspector! 😃 It’s the best!

[@shubhamkoley3525]

I'm from India , your videos helping me learn to more knowledge in daimond. thanks.

[@fazalurrahmanabdulhadi5150]

Appreciate your feedback thank you Gem Academy

[@TheGemAcademy]

Your welcome! :) thank you so much for watching 🤗

[@anuragunathilaka7794]

Hi wow nice to hear your workshops

[@TheGemAcademy]

Hi - thank you so much! :)))

[@anuragunathilaka7794]

@@TheGemAcademy hi thanks for appriseat goodluck to you

[@adamasdesigns8039]

The onus and responsibility should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the lab grown manufactures. To easily identify these stones to the trade and public.

[@spankthewan]

If the value of a diamond is in the beauty and scarcity/rarity, and the beauty is matched by lab-grown diamonds, then you have to ask if diamonds are truly rare. I think we all know the value of diamonds is “synthetic.”

[@jcresmond1653]

GREAT information, THANKS!

[@natsdiane3247]

Thank you for this information!

[@TheGemAcademy]

Thank YOU for watching! I hope you come back for more xxx

[@anuragunathilaka7794]

Hi wow nice to hear your work

[@joelsamson5687]

Hello, what can test carbonado diamond?

[@supercindy2282]

I purchased a diamond that my has medium fluorescence, and my jeweler said the reason it glows under black light is because it has boron. So I’m curious, does that mean it’s going to test as moissanite??

[@TheGemAcademy]

No... I'm afraid your jeweller may be wrong in this instance (assuming it's a colourless diamond). Blue fluorescence in natural colourless diamond is attributed to nitrogen in groups of 3 :) Thanks for your question! Great logic 🤗

[@supercindy2282]

Thank you so much for your help!

[@miguelsilvestri]

Do the really expensive natural blue diamonds also test as fakes?

[@TheGemAcademy]

Indeed they do! Again - due to being coloured by boron impurities, which makes them them semi-conductors of electricity. There is an exception; Type Ia blue diamonds which owe their colour to excessive hydrogen impurities. A key locality for these was the Argyle Mine, Australia 🤗 The equipment is not 'wrong' per se. It's to do with design, as they are made to be user friendly and easy to interpret the results. Therefore they are mainly designed to be tested on colourless diamonds for this reason, as it's more user friendly to say "diamond"/ "moissanite", than to say "is not conducting electricity and heat" / "is conducting electricity and heat"... as some users wouldn't have a clue what to do with that information 💎

[@miguelsilvestri]

@@TheGemAcademy thanks so much

[@FEZZ123]

Love your videos 😍😍♥️♥️ thank you ☺️

[@TheGemAcademy]

Ah, thank you! That means a lot! 🤗

[@garybruce8479]

Nice Video! Nice tester!

[@TheGemAcademy]

Thanks! I'm uploading another video on diamond testers TOMORROW as the message on there is much work to do on spreading the word on the issue that some get a misleading result :)

[@joniequyen]

Hi Julia, my HPHT diamond color D certified by GIA has that icy blue white look. But it doesn’t test as moissanite (jeweler used 2 different kinds of moissanite tester and both didn’t give a moissanite result). Does that mean the diamond doesn’t have any Boron in it and there’s no blue nuance? And hence it’s a type 2a diamond? Or the boron is too low so it’s not conductive, hence not showing as moissanite? I do see a bit of blue but I’m not sure if it’s because of boron or because it’s a D color so it’s white like icy blue? Please give me your expertise opinion!! If there’s another way to check whether my diamond is type 2a or not I would love to know. Thank you so much Julia!!!!

[@TheGemAcademy]

There's a whole lot there! Arguably, your stone shouldn't show a tint of any colour if it has been graded as D (but I don't rule it out as this grade is subjective). Best way to check if your stone has a tint is to compare it to another stone of known D colour (hopefully you're in the trade and this is easy for you!) When checking colour tints - position the stones in the correct position and conditions for colour grading (ie. white tray, sideways, daylight lamp etc). If your stone does not show electrical conductivity via an electrical probe - the most one could conclude is that there is not any significant boron impurities in the stone. As your right - boron may be just in such a low amount it can't be detected with such a tester. Would this mean there's no blue nuance? Probably. Maybe what you're assessing is fire or reflection? Possibly. Yes your stone is a Type IIa - all colourless to slightly tinted laboratory-grown diamonds are. (Though, if one wants to be super precise - they may be a mixed Type IIa/Type IIb when they contain a little bit of boron but no lab says that. Instead they may just report the stones as a 'Type II').

[@TheGemAcademy]

I hope this is helpful!

[@azhar2626]

I need your professional advice regarding two diamond testers. One is from Gemoro testarosa and other one Gemtrue multi plus or multi experior tester both can detect ruby/ sapphire. But I need your advice which of the tester is most capable properly detect the different types diamonds. Which one is better or sophisticated Technology? Please reply my request in detail. I will be waiting for your reply anxiously. God bless you.

[@melissaepappas9818]

I’m also a concerned and confused consumer. We recently purchased a laboratory grown diamond that was created by CVD this one is coming up moissianite!! I thought only hthp had this? It is GCAL certified and laser inscribed.

[@TheGemAcademy]

Interesting. What diamond tester did you use?

[@melissaepappas9818]

@@TheGemAcademy Thank you for replying to my comment! I’m not 100 percent sure. She has 2 one tested and said diamond, the other said moissianite. My assumption is the electrical conductor one. Any thoughts?

[@TheGemAcademy]

@@melissaepappas9818 yes it would be the electrical probe. The first thing I always do is test the stone myself - incase the unit was faulty or not used correctly. Then I would confirm the growth method for myself. And then, if it was a CVD that conducted electricity, I would do research on it! It would be unusual as there is no reason for a CVD grower to add boron into the mix during growth. Entirely possible, but pointless :)

[@melissaepappas9818]

@@TheGemAcademy hmmm yes these are exactly my thoughts but as it tested positive with 3 different probes there lies my concern. As I said it is GCAL laser inscribed, hard to see because most of it is hidden under a prong. What do you suggest?

[@TheGemAcademy]

@@melissaepappas9818 i thought you said 2 testers? In which case I'd have expected the first tester to be a thermal probe and the second to be an electrical probe. If you'd like to explore it further, you can take it to someone who is capable of assessing such things. Not many people can. This would involve (if you wish to check some bits yourself), and sounds so simple, but the easiest thing to do would be to check the report. (We have to cover all bases). To confirm - it does state it's grown via CVD yes? The next thing would be to check the laser inscription and match it with the report - you've already said it's covered so this may not be possible. I'd tell you what I'd do next as a gemmologist - I'd then check it's UV reactions to see that it's typical for CVD growth and not HPHT or anything else, and/or use a screener than is able to give typical results for HPHT via CVD. I'd also check it's inclusions, any colour (if it's present) and strain patterns (if possible) to confirm the growth method. If it is indeed a CVD, I'd write an article as this is interesting for us gemmologists. A lot of this testing may not be possible for you as you may not be trained - so take it to a professional. Please note: Not all gemmologists are trained to separate these stones yet :) That is - if you really really care. Ultimately - as long as it is indeed a laboratory-grown diamond and not a synthetic moissanite - all is well for you :)

[@davecarti3881]

Hello dear,i facet gemstone as hobby,i have a question,why GemOro and Presidium pen give me result as Diamond,for all my CVD but the hpht result moissanite?i meam,i thougth was almost the same thing (cvd and hpht) 🤗

[@TheGemAcademy]

Maybe give this video another watch as all the answers are in there! It's due to boron in the HPHT growth process 🤗

[@ineffable_potentiality_01]

What a fun woman!

[@TheGemAcademy]

Ahhh thank you! 😁

[@MrTiggyboy]

Informative Thank you!

[@AE_OEAA.]

Hi. What about CVD´s. I have a CVD that tests as moissanite on multitester. But it tests 2.418 in refractometer ? Kind regards Morten.

[@Benbee003]

So let’s say i have a D, vs1 HPHT as grown lab diamond. What are the chances it would test as moissanite?

[@TheGemAcademy]

There's a chance! You'd have to try it. There are no percentage figures as we're talking about artificial stones so there is no predictability with this property when the stone lacks colour completely :)

[@Benbee003]

@@TheGemAcademy okay, that’s sorta what i had assumed! Thank you for the quick response! Very helpful videos and information!!

[@TheGemAcademy]

@@Benbee003 thank you, Ben! Have a great day!

[@sherikellyrandthedogs224]

Can a Diamond tester differentiate between natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds?

[@TheGemAcademy]

No - these diamond testers are for separate different materials - i.e. diamonds from imitations (e.g. CZ, glass, synthetic moissanite. HOWEVER, as this video discusses, not all laboratory-grown diamonds test as 'diamond' on these testers :)

[@adamasdesigns8039]

Federal trade commision needs to step in and regulate this growing market. Laser engraving on the girdle to identify this gem as lab grown. This is a trade wide growing problem . Diamond dealers should be up in arms. Make it easy to identify these lab grown diamonds.

[@turnupwater]

I bought a green diamond having this problem got from the lab

[@TheGemAcademy]

What's your problem?

[@turnupwater]

@@TheGemAcademy certain diamond testers won't work on it

[@TheGemAcademy]

@@turnupwater I see. Diamond testers like the ones discussed in this video are designed for colourless to tinted diamonds. I noticed similar results to what you've experience when it comes to fancy colours. In fact, I noticed this for several different colours when I worked with many fancy coloured diamonds - not just the blues. So yes - not a tester for fancy coloured diamonds :)

[@momof1576]

@@TheGemAcademyis there a reliable tester for coloured diamonds

[@TheGemAcademy]

@@momof1576 For a tester such as this? No - there isn't one. Infact there's no one test in existence that could help you identify each colour available in natural diamond, versus treated colour, versus coloured laboratory-grown diamonds... already thats way more than a simple tester can help with as each colour has its own set of characteristics. Really one needs to know the expected results for dozens of possible combinations in order to proficiently test and identify it. Even then, if one highly suspects a natural diamond, depending on the colour it may be worth a lot of money so it's best to verify what it is through laboratory testing. Which colour specifically are you wanting to identify? With specifics I can maybe offer some guidance...

[@cherii6124]

My hpht diamond vvs1 color F is tested as moissanite at my local jewelry store. Is boron in the diamond bad? Is my diamond bad quality?

[@TheGemAcademy]

Hi! No, not at all. It is common for HPHT laboratory-grown diamonds to test as moissanite because of their boron content. This is a minute amount (likely less than 100 boron atoms per BILLION carbon atoms) and does not affect the stones beauty or durability :)

[@HellcatHabibi]

Same I got a Lab diamond Rolex , took it to the jeweler and it went off as moissanite 😭😂 I have both moissanite and lab diamond jewelry and you can 100% see the difference visually though . Moissanite doesn’t have the same luster and sharpness as diamonds do

[@user-xg1lf7oc8r]

Do cvs diamonds show masonite? Or is it many hpht diamonds thanks

[@TheGemAcademy]

Just HPHT :) (though it could be possible in CVD, there is no reason for producers to add boron to the production process of colourless stones)

[@FEZZ123]

Can a blue diamond test as diamond and not mosanite ?

[@TheGemAcademy]

Yes! But only if it doesn't contain boron. Such as the Type Ia blue diamonds that were found in Argyle Mine, Australia, orrrrr treated blue diamonds :)

[@FEZZ123]

@@TheGemAcademy thank you for the response. Your videos are so instructional thank you for making them and sharing them! Do treated blue diamonds flouresce or phosphoresce ? So instead of boron the ones from argyle mine how do they get their color ?

[@MrTiggyboy]

Can I send my stone to you an have it checked out? Im

[@AE_OEAA.]

Turned out to be a hthp after all. M.

[@midamos4711]

That background fingers picture distracting

[@alanpoultneygems]

Alan here sms me have someone who wants to sign up for a course

[@TheGemAcademy]

Hi Alan! I'm so sorry I;ve been on holiday. I've sent you a linked in :) Feel free to send me their details or direct them to my website page: www.thegemac.com/workshop

[@junaidmalinday5416]

❤️❤️❤️💯

[@GimmWolff_SL]

i LOVE YOUR EYES SO MUCH MADAM, YOU ARE GORGEOUS AS A PRECIOUS DIAMOND

[@TheGemAcademy]

Ah, thank you :)

[@GimmWolff_SL]

@@TheGemAcademy I'm sorry my words are awkward or shameful in Caucasian eye. But I said truth Anyway wish you all the best and wish you progressive success.

[@ikillwithyourtruthholdagai2000]

i had feeling during this video ur here to promote urself? lol are you a kind of modle or something cus the way u keep staring at this camera is really strange lmfao

[@TheGemAcademy]

Ah that's just how I look. But yes - absolutely here to promote myself, my work and get further business. Nailed it 😅

[@TranquilBlackout]

Have you tried testing natural diamonds that have been treated with hpht? What do you think would be the result?

[@TheGemAcademy]

Hey! Great question! This is just a diamond tester for diamond v simulants so in the scenario you pose - it would gain the result of diamond. In diamond screeners that help separate diamond from laboratory-grown diamond (specifically those that separate diamond 'types') such a stone would gain a 'referral' result as to be a colourless HPHT-treated natural diamond, it would be Type IIa, which is what all colourless laboratory-grown diamonds are along with just 1-2% of natural diamonds (including the rare cullinan-like diamonds and those that could be HPHT-treated to remove colour). Great question!

[@friscioni12]

So it’s almost impossible to know if it’s a good quality natural diamond. 🫤