Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to evaluating diamonds and gemstones accurately, especially when a decision is made to follow through with a purchase. Other instances may include offering your informed opinion to the public for insurance evaluations or whether they should invest in the subject of your evaluation themselves. The fact of the matter is testers remain an insurance and second opinion to your supporting observations based on industry qualifications and experience.
The recently concluded JCK Las Vegas Show shared a brief report of the current market interests at the show whereby a strong interest was noted by visitors on the topic of synthetic diamonds and the requirement of lab grown diamonds screening devices. Interest has quickly spread throughout the industry worldwide of the need for users to equip themselves with synthetic diamond screeners as well as the need to raise the awareness of synthetic diamonds to customers and dealers.
Diamond and gem testing instruments proliferate the supply side from different brand names, the science of gemology and methods employed to produce results. It is advisable to choose a well-established brand of tester who constantly invest in an R&D programme to keep up with industry changes which protect against the pervasive fraud permeating the trade. Check the supplier’s terms of Warrantee but also carefully read and understand your responsibilities where it comes to validating the Warrantee and using the instrument competently.
Understand diamond and moissanite testers are not fool proof, for instance a customer complained of receiving a positive test for diamond when the diamond tester probe was placed against a glass of ice water. The glass is maybe an extreme example of the degree of ignorance, dependence and expectation customers place on these instruments and my short answer to this complaint was the gentleman should stay entirely clear of the diamond industry.
Understand diamond and moissanite testers are testing based on the proven principles of thermal and electrical conductivity by using an internal potentiometer. Thermal conductivity distinguishes diamonds from its simulants (i.e. White Sapphire, White Spine, Cubic Zirconia etc.) and electrical conductivity separates moissanites from diamond (moissanites are mainly consisting of silicon carbide which are electrically conductive, while diamonds are not) Here is where it gets tricky, for coloured diamonds (especially Blue and Black diamond), they contain boron and other mineral impurities, which conduct electricity efficiently and possibly give a ‘Moissanite’ reading on diamond & moissanite testers, as the tester is detecting the electrical conductivity within the stone.
When evaluating diamonds accurately your opinion should be informed in accordance with a sequence to identify and evaluate with confidence. You should be in possession of a basic certified qualification from a registered institution or apprenticeship to prove your aptitude can distinguish gemstone basics. Practice makes perfect and years of experience are invaluable. Continuous learning is compulsory. Finally use a testing instrument to confirm your opinion and be well informed of the tester and its limitations of technology and if you are unsure then simply employ the humble question.
The diamond industry remains incredibly complex and evolving trade, we reiterate knowledge and caution should be exercised at all times when forming opinions on identification and evaluating diamonds.