Visual Challenge: Can You Spot the Lab Diamond?

Look closely at the image above: The left stone is DovEggs 1.5ct(7.5mm) Round old european cut moissanite, the right is a Doveggs 1.593ct round Old European Cut E color VVS2 lab-grown diamond. Could you tell the difference? Surprisingly, over 70% of consumers can't distinguish them visually! This explains why scientific testing matters.

Why This Discovery Matters

1. Industry Reality: Some sellers deliberately misrepresent moissanite as lab diamonds

2. Testing Pitfalls: Basic testers often give false readings

3. Consumer Protection: Knowledge prevents costly mistakes

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The Science of Diamond Testing: How Lab Diamonds Are Verified

How Diamond Testers Actually Work

Diamond testers are sophisticated handheld devices that determine a stone's identity by measuring two key properties:

1. Thermal Conductivity Testing
The Primary Detection Method

• Diamonds possess exceptional thermal conductivity (about 5x better than silver)

• Testers heat a tiny probe to precise temperatures (typically 50-100°C)

• Measures heat dissipation rate:

  • Diamond: 900-2,000 W/(m·K)

  • Moissanite: 120-150 W/(m·K)

• Why it matters: Most basic testers only check this property

2. Electrical Conductivity Testing
The Moissanite Detector

• Advanced testers add this crucial secondary check

• Key differentiators:

  • Diamond: Generally insulator (resistivity ~10¹⁶ Ω·m)

  • Moissanite: Semiconductor (resistivity ~10⁶ Ω·m)

• Critical fact: Some rare Type IIb diamonds can conduct electricity

Testing Limitations

• Cheap testers (<$100) often fail because:

  • Only test thermal conductivity

  • Use imprecise calibration

  • Can't detect advanced simulants

 

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Doveggs Lab Diamonds: Certified Authenticity

Verification System

1. Doveggs Certification

   • Each diamond includes:

     • Unique laser inscription (visible under magnification)

     • Detailed grading report with:

       • Exact measurements (6.78×6.72×4.24mm for the 2.01ct example)

       • Color grade (D in this case)

       • Clarity grade (VVS2)

       • Cut quality assessment

2. Material Confirmation

   • Report specifies:

     • "Laboratory Grown Diamond"

     • Chemical composition: Pure carbon

     • Crystal structure: Cubic (confirmed through standard gemological testing)

3. Identification Features

   • Includes security features like:

     • QR code for online verification

     • Micro-printed security patterns

     • Holographic elements

• The "Laboratory Grown Diamond" designation

• QR verification section

• Grading details with 4Cs]

Shop Old European Cut/Old Mine Cut/Rose Cut Lab Diamonds

Shop All Lab Diamonds

 

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Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Pass Diamond Testers?

Yes! Lab-grown diamonds pass standard diamond testers because they possess identical chemical composition (pure carbon), crystal structure (cubic), and physical properties as natural diamonds. This scientific reality is confirmed by gemological institutes worldwide.

How Different Testers Respond:

✔ Thermal Testers – Lab diamonds pass easily, as they conduct heat just like natural diamonds.
⚠ Electrical Testers – Some lab diamonds (especially HPHT-grown) may show slight conductivity due to trace elements, but this doesn’t make them moissanite.

For 100% Certainty:

• Check IGI/GIA certification (included with Doveggs diamonds)

• Look for laser inscriptions under magnification

• Use professional lab verification if needed

• Request NAGL verification (Doveggs provides assistance)

Thermal conductivity testers (the most common type) reliably confirm both natural and lab-grown diamonds as authentic. However, electrical conductivity testers may yield varying results with lab-created stones - particularly HPHT-grown diamonds which can contain trace elements affecting electrical response. These readings don't indicate inferior quality, but rather reflect different growth conditions. This is why certification from reputable labs like IGI or GIA remains the gold standard for verification. At Doveggs, we provide full disclosure and certification with every diamond, along with options for additional verification through NAGL for customers who want complete peace of mind about their purchase.

Explore more: 

Lab Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds: What to Know

Is Moissanite a Lab-Grown Diamond? The Definitive Comparison Guide

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Debunking the Myths: Lab Diamonds vs. Moissanite

Myth: "Lab-grown diamonds are just fancy moissanite."

Truth: Their atomic structures and physical properties are fundamentally different.

Scientific Proof:

1. Chemical Composition

   • Lab diamonds = Pure carbon (C), identical to natural diamonds

   • Moissanite = Silicon carbide (SiC), a completely different compound

2. Electrical Conductivity

   • Moissanite conducts electricity (semiconductor)

   • Lab diamonds (except some HPHT-grown) are insulators

   • Advanced testers use this difference to distinguish them

3. Thermal & Optical Properties

   • Moissanite has higher refractive index (2.65 vs. diamond’s 2.42), creating stronger "rainbow flashes"

   • Lab diamonds share the same thermal conductivity as natural diamonds

4. Certification Confirms Authenticity

   • Doveggs diamonds come with IGI/GIA reports, proving their diamond identity

   • Moissanite rarely has the same level of certification

Final Verdict:

✔ Lab diamonds ≠ moissanite – They pass diamond testers as real diamonds.
✔ Moissanite fails advanced tests due to its distinct electrical and optical properties.
✔ For 100% certainty, always check IGI/GIA certification (included with Doveggs diamonds).

Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond Guide<-----------------------------------------------------------

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Conclusion: The Definitive Truth About Lab Diamonds and Testing

The evidence is clear: lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds that pass standard diamond testers with identical results to natural diamonds. While moissanite may look similar to the untrained eye, advanced testing and certification provide undeniable proof of their fundamental differences.

Key takeaways for smart shoppers:

1. Science doesn't lie - Lab diamonds share the exact same carbon structure as natural diamonds

2. Testing has limits - Basic testers verify composition but can't determine origin

3. Certification is key - IGI/GIA reports provide the full truth about your stone

4. DovEggs guarantees authenticity - Every diamond comes with verifiable certification and optional NAGL verification

Remember: When investing in diamonds, whether lab-grown or natural, proper certification from reputable labs remains the only way to guarantee you're getting exactly what you paid for. Don't rely solely on visual inspection or basic testers - insist on documentation that tells your diamond's complete story.