Skip to content 
Bottom Line
Wondering if lab-grown diamonds can fool a diamond tester? Let’s cut to the chase:
Lab-grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They’re made of carbon atoms, just like natural diamonds and pass diamond testers because their thermal conductivity is identical to this of mined diamonds. However, certain diamond simulants like moissanite and cubic zirconia can sometimes also pass diamond testers, making it important to use multiple verification techniques.
Nitrogen levels might slightly influence test results, but lab diamonds still register as the real deal.
Advanced tools like the DiamondView use UV light and spectroscopy to detect subtle differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds. These sophisticated instruments can identify growth patterns and trace elements invisible to standard diamond testers. However, such equipment is typically only found in professional gemological labs.
Visual identification of lab-grown diamonds is extremely challenging, even for experienced professionals. While some experts claim they can spot lab-grown diamonds with the naked eye, this method is far from reliable.
You can detect lab-grown diamonds by checking the certificate, inspecting the serial number engraved on the girdle, or sending it to a gemological lab to determine if a diamond is lab-grown.
Doesn’t matter if you go with a natural or a lab-grown diamond, make sure to buy it from a reliable seller such as this one with a GIA certificate or this one that offers both GIA and IGI-certified diamonds.
Bottom line? Lab-grown diamonds ace the diamond tester easily. To tell if a diamond is lab or natural, you’ll need a reliable and expensive equipment that only gemological labs have. If you’re in the market, check out trusted retailers like James Allen or Blue Nile for some dazzling options.
Table of Contents
Lab-grown diamonds are shaking up the diamond world, big time. Did you know the lab diamond market’s growing by over 20% each year? That’s huge! People are loving these sustainable sparklers. But here’s the million-dollar question: Are they really diamonds? Can they pass a diamond tester? Spoiler alert: They absolutely can. Lab created diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, which often results in lower prices. Despite their growing popularity, there are still common misconceptions about their authenticity and testing methods. Let’s dive in and see why and how.
Diamond Testing 101: Basic Pen Tester
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds created in controlled laboratory environments rather than mined from the earth. These man-made gems are identical to natural diamonds in their physical, chemical, and optical properties. This means they have the same crystal structure, hardness, and light refraction characteristics as their mined counterparts. However, some consumers perceive earth mined diamonds to have higher quality and authenticity compared to lab-grown diamonds.
How Does a Diamond Tester Work?
Diamond testers are like lie detectors for gems. They check how well a stone conducts heat or electricity. Real diamonds have a unique way of handling heat that sets them apart from imposters like moissanite. The tester picks up on these subtle differences. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds pass diamond tester, as well as certain simulants like moissanite, which can yield positive results due to their thermal conductivity.
What Happens During Testing?
Here’s how it goes down:
Prep work: Clean the diamond, calibrate the tester.
The test: Touch the diamond with the tester’s probe.
Moment of truth: The tester gives a thumbs up or down.
And guess what? Lab-grown diamonds pass the diamond tester with flying colors, just like their natural cousins.
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Pass a Diamond Tester?
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Test as Real?
You bet they do! Lab diamonds pass the diamond tester because they are structurally identical to natural diamonds, so they ace the heat conductivity test. Here’s a fun fact: nitrogen levels in lab diamonds can sometimes make testers act a bit quirky, but they still pass as genuine.
Why Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Pass a Diamond Tester?
The key to understanding why lab-grown diamonds pass diamond testers lies in their creation process:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This method replicates the extreme conditions found deep within the Earth. A small diamond seed is placed in carbon-rich surroundings and subjected to temperatures exceeding 1300°C and pressures of about 50,000 atmospheres. Under these conditions, the carbon melts and forms a diamond around the seed.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): In this process, a thin diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber. The chamber is filled with carbon-rich gas (usually methane) and heated to around 800°C. Microwaves are used to break down the gas molecules, and the pure carbon adheres to the seed, growing the diamond atom by atom.
Both these methods result in diamonds with the exact same carbon atom arrangement as natural diamonds. This is crucial because diamond testers rely on properties that stem from this atomic structure:
Thermal conductivity testers measure how well a stone conducts heat. Diamonds are excellent heat conductors due to their tight crystal structure.
Electrical conductivity testers measure how well a stone conducts electricity. Diamonds are electrical insulators, again due to their atomic arrangement.
Optical testers analyze how light behaves when passing through the stone. The way diamonds refract and disperse light is unique to their crystal structure.
Because lab-grown diamonds share the same atomic structure as natural diamonds, they respond identically to these tests. A diamond tester cannot distinguish between a lab-grown and a natural diamond – both will register as “real” diamonds.
In essence, lab-grown diamonds pass diamond testers because they are, in every measurable way, real diamonds. The only difference lies in their point of origin – a high-tech lab rather than a natural mine.
Can You Tell The Difference Between a Lab-Grown Diamond and a Natural Diamond
While lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds, subtle differences can sometimes be detected by highly trained professionals. However, it’s crucial to understand that even for experts, this is far from a foolproof process.
Some seasoned gemologists claim they can spot lab-grown diamonds with just a loupe or their naked eye. They look for specific indicators:
Growth patterns: HPHT diamonds may show distinctive crystal patterns. CVD diamonds may show a layer-by-layer pattern.
Metallic inclusions: Tiny metal particles trapped during the HPHT process.
Color tints: Some HPHT diamonds have a slight bluish tint.
But here’s the catch – these signs aren’t always present or definitive. For instance, a CVD diamond with a brownish tint could easily be mistaken for a natural diamond with a lower color grade (M-K range).
In essence, while some highly skilled professionals might spot certain lab-grown diamonds, it’s far from a reliable method. The average jeweler or gemologist would struggle to tell the difference consistently without specialized equipment. So, if someone claims they can always tell just by looking, take it with a grain of salt – or better yet, dare them to bet on it.
Advanced Identification Techniques
Gemologists and diamond grading laboratories employ a range of high-tech instruments to detect the subtle differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Here are some of the key tools:
DiamondView: This instrument, developed by De Beers, uses short-wave UV light to reveal fluorescence patterns in diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds often exhibit distinctive growth patterns that differ from those seen in natural diamonds. Advanced tools like DiamondView can help differentiate between lab created diamonds and natural diamonds, revealing unique fluorescence patterns and growth structures.
Photoluminescence Spectroscopy: This technique analyzes the light emitted by a diamond when it’s excited by a laser. It can detect trace elements and defects that are characteristic of certain growth processes.
FTIR Spectroscopy (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy): This method identifies specific impurities in diamonds, such as nitrogen, which can indicate whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown.
X-ray Topography: This advanced imaging technique can reveal internal structures and growth patterns that are unique to lab-grown diamonds.
Raman Spectroscopy: This tool analyzes the way light scatters when it interacts with the diamond, providing information about its crystal structure and any impurities present.
SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry): This highly sensitive technique can detect trace elements at extremely low concentrations, helping to differentiate between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
In addition to these individual tools, some companies have developed integrated systems that combine multiple detection methods. For example, the Yehuda Diamond Detector (aka Sherlock Holmes) uses a combination of spectroscopic techniques to rapidly identify lab-grown diamonds.
While these advanced techniques are highly effective, they’re typically only available in specialized gemological laboratories. Most jewelers and retailers don’t have access to this level of technology, which is why lab-grown diamonds can easily pass standard diamond testers used in stores.
Do All Diamonds Produce Same Results Under A Diamond Tester?
Not exactly. While all genuine diamonds – both natural and lab-grown – will pass standard diamond testers, the results can vary slightly depending on the type of tester used and the specific characteristics of the diamond. Let’s break this down:
Thermal Conductivity Testers: These are the most common type of diamond testers. All real diamonds, whether natural or lab-grown, will pass these testers because they conduct heat similarly. However, some factors can influence the readings:
Very small diamonds might not make good contact with the probe, leading to inconsistent results.
Mounted diamonds can be tricky to test accurately if the metal setting interferes with the contact.
Extremely low-quality diamonds with many inclusions might show slightly different thermal properties.
Electrical Conductivity Testers: These work on a similar principle to thermal testers. Again, both natural and lab-grown diamonds will typically pass, but results can be affected by:
Surface contaminants like oils or dirt
The diamond’s temperature (if it’s not at room temperature)
In rare cases, some highly conductive inclusions might affect the results
Optical Testers: These analyze how light behaves when passing through the diamond. While all real diamonds will pass, factors that might influence results include:
The diamond’s cut quality
Any treatments applied to the diamond (like HPHT color enhancement)
In some cases, very high-quality moissanite might fool basic optical testers
It’s worth noting that while standard diamond testers can’t distinguish between natural and lab-grown diamonds, they can usually differentiate diamonds from common simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
For the average consumer or jeweler, all diamonds will essentially produce the same “pass” result on a standard diamond tester. The subtle variations we’ve mentioned are typically only relevant in specialized gemological testing.
How can you tell if a diamond is lab-grown?
There are two reliable ways to identify a lab-grown diamond:
Check the certificate: Reputable grading labs always specify the diamond’s origin. Look for clear statements like “Laboratory-Grown” or “Natural” on the certificate.
Inspect the diamond’s girdle: Certified diamonds have a laser-inscribed serial number on their girdle. For lab-grown diamonds, you’ll often find additional markings like “LG” (Lab Grown) or “Laboratory Grown” next to this number.
It is important to check certificates and serial numbers to identify lab created diamonds, as they share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.
Remember, these methods are far more reliable than visual inspection. Always purchase from trusted retailers who provide proper certification for their diamonds.
Conclusion - My Personal Experience
As a diamond consultant with years of experience, I’ve seen countless couples grapple with the lab-grown vs. natural diamond decision. One story stands out: Sarah and Mike came to me, torn between a 1-carat natural diamond and a 1.5-carat lab-grown option for their engagement ring. Like many clients, they were skeptical about lab diamonds passing authenticity tests. To demonstrate, we used a standard diamond tester on both stones. The look of amazement on their faces when both diamonds passed was priceless!
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds pass the diamond tester. This experience reinforced what I’ve seen time and again – the origin of a diamond doesn’t affect its beauty or authenticity. Sarah and Mike ultimately chose the lab-grown diamond, thrilled to get a larger stone within their budget. Months later, they returned, curious if jewelers could tell their diamond was lab-grown. We visited several stores, and not one could distinguish it without advanced testing. It was a powerful reminder that whether lab-grown or natural, a diamond’s true value lies in its meaning to you.
My advice? Focus on the 4Cs, buy from reputable sellers like James Allen and Blue Nile, and choose the diamond that makes your heart skip a beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if a mounted diamond is real?
Want to check if that mounted diamond’s the real deal? For a safe answer, take it to gemological lab. They’ve got the tools to spot a genuine diamond from a mile away.
How do diamond testers work?
Diamond testers are like heat detectives. They measure how quickly a stone conducts heat. Real diamonds are champs at this. If the tester gives a thumbs up, you’ve likely got a genuine diamond on your hands. However, it’s important to note that both natural and lab-grown diamonds pass diamond tester, as well as certain simulants like moissanite, which can yield positive results.
How to tell if diamonds are real without a tester?
No tester? No problem. Lab diamonds pass the diamond tester because they are structurally identical to natural diamonds. Try the fog test: breathe on the stone. A real diamond clears up instantly. Or check for tiny flaws – most natural diamonds have some. But remember, these aren’t foolproof. When in doubt, ask a pro.
Can you tell if a diamond is lab grown?
Without advanced equipment, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish lab-grown from natural diamonds visually. However, certified lab-grown diamonds have a unique identifier: a serial number laser-inscribed on the girdle. To confirm, simply check this number against the grading lab’s online database, where the certificate will specify if it’s lab-grown.
