APEX (by GemTrue) for diamonds (natural v. synthetic) + simulant (incl. Moissanite & Cz)

Summary The APEX is a combined standard (thermal) tester for diamond / non-diamond, plus the latest-technology (UV-absorption) to distinguish natural diamond from synthetic diamond. Plus it tests for Moissanite and Cz/Simulant (= any other stone).  One probe, one test, the onboard computer works out the answer.    Handheld, lightweight. Can test any stone mounted in jewellery and it also comes with a stone-holder for testing loose stones. If diamond, it tells you the chance of that diamond being natural or synthetic Fastest response (test-result in 1 or 2 3 seconds) USB rechargeable battery One year guarantee The Apex tests for the following: Natural diamonds. These grow as crystals deep in the Earth (they take 2 to 3 billion years to grow), they are also known as mined diamonds.   Synthetic diamonds. These are grown by man in a laboratory (they take a few weeks to grow). Also known as lab-grown, manmade or lab-created.  The APEX tests for both types (manufacturing techniques) of synthetic diamond, CVD and HPHT. Synthetics and naturals are identical, they are both diamond. They are the same chemically, they are the same optically. That is why it is so difficult to tell them apart.  Moissanite.  A synthetic stone only (it doesn't exist in nature as crystals that can be cut into gemstones). This is the one stone that looks like diamond, even to an expert. Cz or Simulant. A "Cz" or "Simulant" readings indicate that the stone is not diamond. This is not 'diagnostic', ie it won't tell you what the stone is, the APEX is not a gem tester, it is a tester for natural diamonds / synthetic diamonds / Moissanite.  Readings (detail) CVD / HPHT / Type IIa diamond CVD/ HPHT are two are methods of growing diamond = synthetic. However, 5% of natural diamonds (Type IIa diamond) have a rare composition that gives a  'synthetic diamond' reading.  So if the tester shows, "CVD / HPHT / Type IIa" there's a 95% chance it's synthetic but a 5% chance it's natural.  DIAMOND, NATURAL Natural (mined) diamond. MOISSANITE Moissanite is not diamond but it is useful to be able to detect these because they show up as diamond on most diamond testers. This is the one stone that really looks like diamond, even to the experts. Cz. or SIMULANT.  SUMMARY: Both readings indicate stones that look like diamond but are not. A Cz READING DOES NOT MEAN THE STNOE IS Cz - DESPITE WHAT THE MANUFACTUERS SAY!  DETAIL: A Cz" (Cubic Zirconia) reading means it might be Cz (cubic zirconia), or it might be GGG (Gadolinium Gallium Garnet), YAG (Yttrium  Aluminium Garnet), High Zircon or Strontium Titanate. All of these are used to 'simulate' (imitate) diamond. Or it could be Synthetic Sapphire, Synthetic Spinel or glass (the average jeweller can see that these are not diamond, without having to use a tester). Whatever the result, all you need to know is: it's not diamond. Simulant, probably sapphire/ruby.   See the instruction manual Technical Size 105mm X 70mm X 25mm  Weight 106g  Operating temperature: 10° to 35°C Storage temperature: 20° to 25°C Start-up and initialisation: less than 10 seconds Testing time 1 or 2 seconds Size, must be a minimum of 5pts (0.05 carat) = table (top) diameter at least 2.5mm. Cut, brilliant cut (round) only. Colour, stones of colour D to M It is important to understand what these limitations mean, see our guide to synthetic-diamond testing. POWER Power: built-in rechargeable batteries, USB charging (5V, minimum 0.5A) cable supplied.  Does not support PD fast charging.  LED bar indicates amount of power remaining, when it reaches RED you must charge it, otherwise you will get incorrect readings.   Auto-power-off yes, if used on battery power it turns itself off after 5mns of non-activity. GUARANTEE 1 year Video Limitations & Disclaimer If the tester shows that the stone is not diamond (and not Moissanite), that is a simple and conclusive test. Though the test does work on heat so the stone (and tester) must be at room temperature. However, there are limitations:  5% of natural diamonds have an unusual composition ("Type IIa diamond") and cannot be distinguished from synthetic diamonds.  Stones must be at least 2 points in size, so if the stone is very small, check it with the diamond gauge (included). For the non-expert: 2 points = diameter of the the table (top) of a brilliant-cut (round) diamond will be about 1.75mm. A diamond gauge is included with the tester. For the professional jeweller: 2 points. The Apex works fine on all 'brilliant' (round) cuts, it is not reliable on shallow stones. That includes old cut (e.g. Victorian rose-cut) and some shallow fancy shapes (e.g. some marquis and ovals). For the non-expert: make sure the stone is recent (eg from the 20th century) and be cautious with marquis and oval shapes. For the professional jeweller: if you specialise in Victorian jewellery (or earlier) this tester might not be suitable, it will not give accurate results on rose-