Do Diamond Testers Work on Lab-Grown Diamonds

Do Diamond Testers Work on Lab-Grown Diamonds

Last summer, my cousin decided to propose to his longtime girlfriend. He wanted to ensure that the diamond ring he chose was perfect, and naturally, authentic. As the family jeweler, I was called upon for advice. "Should I get one of those diamond testers?" he asked me, with a hint of trepidation in his voice. While this might have been a straightforward question a decade ago, the surging popularity of lab-grown diamonds adds a twist.

First, it’s important to understand what diamond testers actually do. These devices measure thermal conductivity. Since diamonds are excellent conductors of heat, the tester can confirm if the stone is, indeed, a diamond. The twist? Lab-grown diamonds, being chemically identical to mined ones, also conduct heat similarly. So, in that sense, they pass the diamond tester's scrutiny with flying colors.

But let’s not drop the curtain just yet. While diamond testers will tell you if a stone is a diamond, they won’t differentiate between natural and lab-grown varieties. For those who are purists at heart — the kind who romanticize the thought of a diamond formed over millions of years deep within the Earth — this detail matters. Enter spectroscopy and advanced gemological testing, which can spot the subtle differences in growth patterns and trace elements between natural and synthetic diamonds.

My cousin opted for a lab-grown diamond. I still remember the moment he slipped the ring on her finger; it sparkled just as brilliantly as any mined diamond, and it didn't take long for his fiancée to enthusiastically nod to his proposal. I think that moment, more than discussions about thermal conductivity, is what truly matters.

In recent years, cultural perceptions around lab-grown diamonds have been shifting. The eco-conscious millennial generation seems more drawn to these stones, with their smaller environmental footprint and often more affordable price tag. The traditional allure of natural diamonds doesn't entirely fade, and it shouldn’t — they tell stories as old as time itself. However, lab-grown diamonds are carving a niche, especially for those who value innovation and sustainability alongside beauty.

While purveyors of romance might still see lab-grown diamonds as mere facsimiles, for many, they represent a new era where technology and art converge. So, if you're contemplating whether that diamond tester is reliable for your lab-grown gem, rest assured it will acknowledge its worth. But if you’re sifting through the sentimental nuances of what makes a diamond truly 'real,' the answer might lie beyond mere gadgets.

To my cousin and his fiancée, that lab-grown diamond was no less real, their engagement no less special. And in the warmth of that summer evening, under the shimmering twilight, it was all that mattered.