The advent of new technology that allows synthetic diamonds to be created relatively quickly and relatively cheaply has not only led to the prospect of further industrial uses for diamond (as CPU heathsinks or semi-conductors for example), but also to an increase in diamond simulants on the diamond market.
The most popular diamond simulant is Cubic Zirconia (Moissanite is not a diamond simulant technically due to having it’s own apperance and chemical make up), and you may wonder whether or not your diamond is real.
Firstly if you brought the diamond from a reputable retailler chances are the diamond is and similarly to conflict diamonds, it is not something you should be overly concerned about when buying diamonds. There are certain methods that can be used to asses whether a diamond is real or whether it is a simulant such as Cubic Zirconia but it cannot distinguise between a natural or synthetic diamond.
The first test to be done will be a test of thermal conductivity. It is fairly well known that diamonds are some of the best natural endothermic conductors avaliable and while diamond simulants do also conduct well they are not as effective as diamond. Recent innovations have allowed incredibly sensitive temperature probes to be developed and these can now tell the difference bettwen real or simulant diamond.
A further test is electrical conductivity and it works on a similiar principle that diamonds are slightly better electrical conductors and that accurate equipment can measure this slight difference. It is important to note however that the electricity test can only work with diamonds that have boron imperfections in them as this is what allows electricity to flow through.