Why Some Laboratory-Grown Diamonds Fail to Test as 'Diamond'

February 12, 2024

Laboratory-grown diamonds, while often regarded as indistinguishable from natural diamonds, present some nuanced challenges during testing. Particularly concerning is their occasional identification as "synthetic moissanite" when subjected to diamond testers, notably those produced via HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) methods.

This discrepancy in testing results poses identification risks and can be confounding for consumers. Despite being chemically identical to natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds may contain impurities uncommon in their naturally occurring counterparts. One such impurity is boron.

Boron, when trapped within the diamond's crystal structure, is a rare occurrence in natural diamonds, affecting their color and electrical conductivity. Laboratory-grown diamonds, particularly those produced via HPHT methods, often contain boron due to its use in the production process, leading to variations in their properties.

While boron's presence is minimal, even trace amounts can significantly impact a diamond's characteristics, including color and conductivity. This presence of boron, especially in colorless HPHT laboratory-grown diamonds, can lead to their misidentification as synthetic moissanite during basic diamond testing.

The challenge arises from the historical design of diamond testers, which primarily rely on thermal and electrical conductivity tests to distinguish diamonds from their simulants. Synthetic moissanite, with its distinct electrical properties, presents a unique challenge to these testers, complicating the identification process.

However, it's essential to note that laboratory-grown diamonds' properties may deviate from those of natural diamonds, making accurate identification crucial. While diamond testers remain valuable tools, visual inspection and additional testing methods are necessary to confirm a stone's identity, especially when dealing with laboratory-grown diamonds.



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