With the rise in popularity of lab-grown diamonds and moissanite as substitutions for mined diamonds, it’s helpful to understand how to tell the difference between all of these stones and how they match up with a mined diamond’s features.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
While lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, it’s relevant to be able to tell the difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds because there is a large price discrepancy between the two (lab diamonds can be approximately 30% less). They share all the same chemical and molecular properties, so because of these qualities, it’s really only possible to tell with the aid of a diamond expert. They will run a conductivity test and view the diamond under high magnification.
Moissanite
Moissanite is also a synthetic material as all moissanite we have is lab-grown versions of a highly rare substance found in meteorite fragments over 100 years ago. It is very difficult for the naked eye to discern differences between real diamonds and moissanite, so this is another one that would require a professional. A professional would be able to tell that due to the fact that moissanite has a higher refractive index, moissanite tend to exhibit a different kind of brilliance than a lab-grown diamond. It’s typically of a greater intensity and in fiery, rainbow-colored flashes. This effect is particularly noticeable in sunlight and in larger stones. An electricity conductivity test is the likeliest test to provide a definitive answer.
Cubic Zirconia
A Cubic Zirconia is relatively easy to spot through a few of the tests we’ve mentioned. By using the sparkle test, it is very apparent the amount of sparkle and fire a Cubic Zirconia is not giving off. Additionally, they reflect orange tinted light, weigh more than a diamond, and generally lack the imperfections that all diamonds have, like inclusions and blemishes.
White Sapphire
White sapphires don’t exhibit the same level of sparkle as a diamond, nor the contrast of light and dark areas. They are often described as appearing milky, cloudy, or more blurred in coloring, indicating that it’s lacking the distinct light and dark parts of real diamonds.
White Topaz
Several characteristics differentiate white topaz from real diamonds, the most apparent being the softness of white topaz. Diamond is the hardest substance on earth and cannot be scratched by other minerals. Topaz is significantly softer and can easily be scratched by other materials. Any scratches on the stone mean that it is white topaz and not real diamond.
While there are many tests you can perform on your own to help determine if your diamond is real or not, you will always get the most definitive answers from consulting a trained expert. They will use equipment like a jeweler’s loupe to view the stone under magnification, test for thermal or electrical conductivity, view the stone under a microscope, or even perform x-rays for conclusive answers. But if you’re starting at home, just remember to be careful with your stone, especially if there’s a high likelihood that it is a real diamond!
