The world of jewelry is a competitive one, and it can be difficult to know what to buy. There are many different types of gems out there that come at various price points.
One question you may have when purchasing jewelry is whether moissanite passes a diamond tester or not?
In this blog post, we will answer this question for you as well as give more information on the differences between diamonds and moissanite.
- What is Moissanite?
- How Is Moissanite Graded?
- Can You Tell The Difference Between Moissanite And Diamonds?
- Can Moissanite Pass A Diamond Tester?
- How To Test If A Stone Is Moissanite
- What Is An Effective Diamond Tester?
- What Are The Limitations Of Diamond Testers
- The Difference Between Diamond And Moissanite
- Is Moissanite Better than a Diamond?
- The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Moissanite RingsÂ
- Are You Going To Purchase A Moissanite Ring?
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone that was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan. It has a diamond-like appearance and its clarity ranges from nearly flawless to very slightly included, depending on the cut of the stone.
Moissanite is a crystal that has many properties similar to diamond, but its composition and structure are different from those of diamond. Moissanites also occur naturally as silicon carbide, the hardest natural material on earth (about three times harder than steel).
The stones come in various colors including yellowish browns and pink, but the most common is a colorless variety.
How Is Moissanite Graded?
Like diamonds, moissanites are graded on a scale known as “The Four Cs” (cut, clarity, color, and carat weight).
Diamonds are made of carbon atoms that form a crystal lattice. The four C’s refer to the most important characteristics of diamonds:
- Cut (the quality, proportionality, and symmetry of its various features)
- Clarity (the absence or presence in diamond stones with more than microscopic flaws)
- Color and carat weight.
Can You Tell The Difference Between Moissanite And Diamonds?
The only way to tell that something isn’t diamond with 100% certainty (aside from scientific inspection) is if it fails to pass the four C’s of diamonds. If moissanite doesn’t have any flaws or inclusions and has been cut well enough, clarity should be the only factor that will give it away.
There are two key factors in determining whether moissanite can pass a diamond tester, namely clarity, and color of the stone – if both these aspects have been taken care of properly then chances are high that it’ll go undetected by an untrained eye.
Can Moissanite Pass A Diamond Tester?
The answer is yes! Moissanite rings will not be detected by the diamond tester.
However, if you’re looking for a replica of a diamond and want to have it tested to verify that moissanite passes as diamonds, then we recommend getting a lab-created one.
If you’re not looking for a replica, then you’re good to go with a moissanite ring.
How To Test If A Stone Is Moissanite
If you want to test if a stone is a moissanite, first examine its clarity and color it for any distinctive qualities. If these two aspects are in order, then take a closer look at its refractive index (RI) – this will be different from a diamond’s RI and will reveal that it cannot be treated as just a diamond.
Moissanites have an RI of about 12% greater than diamonds and are more expensive for the same carat weight, but they aren’t as rare or valuable in terms of price per carat.
This is one of the factors that makes moissanite pass a diamond tester.
What Is An Effective Diamond Tester?
Diamond testers are used to detect whether diamonds or other gemstones contain inclusions. For a diamond tester to be effective, it must meet the following requirements:
- It should have an accuracy percentage of at least 99% and greater than 93%. The tester should also not introduce any false positives, and it shouldn’t lead to false negatives.
- It should not be too sensitive to the light and environment, otherwise, it may produce false positives.
- It cannot rely on a single detection method that is dependent on only one parameter.
- The parameters of the diamond tester must have been validated either via testing or research by an accredited organization.
What Are The Limitations Of Diamond Testers
Here we will take you through a few common limitations of diamond testers when testing diamonds:
- The diamond tester can only test for diamonds and not other gemstones.
- It cannot be used to tell the difference between natural or synthetic stones, they are both tested as a diamond.
- The manufacturer must specify which types of gems it can detect otherwise it will be unable to determine if any given stone is real or fake.
- If the diamond is made of another material other than a gemstone, it may not be detected by the diamond tester.
- It cannot determine if a stone has been cut or shaped to look like a diamond.
- The testers must have an accurate calibration so that they can detect stones accurately and consistently over time.
The Difference Between Diamond And Moissanite
An expert can tell the difference between a diamond and moissanite quickly by looking at them under magnification. Moissanites will have inclusions or flaws that are not present with diamonds, which is one of the main factors to distinguish them from each other.
Here are more factors that differentiate these two gemstones from each other:
Color
The color of moissanite and diamond is also a factor that can tell them apart. Diamonds are often described as being bright white, but this doesn’t mean they all have the same shade. Moissanites come in different colors too – from ice blue to vibrant green, which makes it easier for you to spot one if your favorite color is not white.
Durability
While moissanites aren’t as hard as diamonds, they are close behind the latter when it comes to the Mohs hardness scale. At 9-9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite is the second hardest to diamond which is ranked at 10.
Hence, their durability differs with diamond edging the competition here but only by a margin.
Cost
Moissanites are much cheaper than diamonds, but they can still cost a pretty penny. Moissanite of 0.25 carats will set you back by around $250 while the same size diamond stone goes for about $800 or even more depending on its quality and origin.
Brilliance
Moissanites are more brilliant than diamonds because they have an inherent fire. The word fire is used to articulate the flashes of rainbow colors that happen when a jewel catches the light.
The following are additional differences between moissanite and diamonds:
- Diamonds tend to be harder than moissanite – Which affects how they react to a diamond tester – for example, if you rub moissanite with the same pressure and force diamonds are tested under, it will scratch.
- Moissanites also react differently to outside forces such as temperature or humidity levels than diamonds do – Diamonds can show signs of dehydration which is when they have been exposed to low temperatures and high humidity levels for prolonged periods.
- If moissanite is exposed to the same conditions, it will show signs of dehydration much faster – within minutes or hours instead of days or weeks.
- Moissanites also have lower indices than diamonds do – hence, they can be lighter in weight which may cause them to pass on an initial inspection but not when put to the test.
In conclusion, moissanite is more likely to pass a diamond tester’s initial inspection but will fail under any kind of rigorous testing or conditions for extended periods.
Is Moissanite Better than a Diamond?
The answer is no because moissanite cannot withstand the same conditions that diamonds can. As explained above, moissanite can pass on an initial inspection, but not when put to rigorous testing or for extended periods.
Moissanites are also less expensive than diamonds so if you want a diamond to look alike without investing in a real one, consider moissanite.
The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Moissanite Rings
Now that we have learned a lot about moissanite, we now need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a Moissanite Ring. Here are a few of the main reasons why:
The Advantages of Buying a Moissanite Ring
Moissanite is a cheaper, durable, and more affordable option than diamonds. They’re also less likely to be detected by diamond testers while providing the same polished look. So if you want something that looks like a diamond but doesn’t cost as much or needs maintenance, then moissanite rings might just fit your needs!
And are Moissanites Worth the Price Tag? Yes. They are worth the price tag because of their durability, affordability, and polished look that resembles a diamond.
The Disadvantages of Buying a Moissanite Ring
The downside of buying moissanite rings is that they can’t be used in jewelry settings. For instance, if you want to buy a ring with diamonds on the side like Princess Diana’s engagement ring, then it won’t work as well because moissanites are not strong enough and can scratch easily.
Are You Going To Purchase A Moissanite Ring?
Diamond is forever, but not for everyone. Moissanite has the look of a diamond without the cost. This gemstone can pass the diamond tester with flying colors and is also durable for a lesser price.
You might be surprised how many people are looking to save money on their engagement ring purchase! If you’re considering an alternative stone to diamond, then moissanite can be the best alternative.