Summary
Arete synthetic diamond tester plus a free Diamond Experior thermal diamond tester. Between them, they test for natural diamond, synthetic (= lab-grown) diamond, Moissanite, and "any other stone".
The GemTrue Arete is an essential tool for the experienced jeweller and professional diamond dealer, it is for testing known diamonds, to see if they are natural or synthetic. That means you must first test the stone on a good quality diamond tester first - YOU GET ONE OF THESE WITH THE ARETE.
Step 1. Test the stone on the Diamond Experior thermal tester (included). This will tell you if it's diamond or Moissanite (you won't know which) or if it's neither. If it's neither, no other test is required. The Diamond Experior will NOT tell you:
if the stone is diamond or Moissanite
if the stone is a natural diamond or a synthetic diamond
Step 2. If the Diamond Experior indicates that the stone might be diamond (or Moissanite), test it on the Arete, this will tell you if:
it's a natural diamond
it's a synthetic diamond
it's Moissanite.
Important note: natural diamond and synthetic diamond are both real diamonds. Naturals are grown in the ground by nature (also known as mined), Synthetics (also known as manmade or lab-created) are made by man in a laboratory.
Detail
Natural diamonds grow as crystals deep in the Earth, they are brought nearer the surface through volcanic activity where they are mined (they are also known as as mined diamonds). It takes 2 to 3 billion years for a diamond crystal to grown naturally.
Synthetic diamonds are grown by man in a laboratory over a period of a few weeks, to the same recipe found in nature. "Synthetic" is the scientific term. Colloquially, we say lab-grown or manmade or lab-created. It takes a few weeks grow a synthetic diamond in a laboratory.
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, see our article about synthetic diamonds.
Features
handheld and lightweight
can test any stone mounted in jewellery (most brands are either for loose stones only, or can only test stones in small rings with open settings)
also tests for Moissanite
fastest response time (result in 2 seconds)
Although there's an instruction leaflet, there are also videos of the instructions on the actual display on on the tester
Results displayed on the screen and, at the same time, confirmed by voice
one year guarantee
INCLUDED
The Arete, synthetic-diamond tester
A standard thermal diamond tester, model is Diamond Experior
Lithium batteries included (lithium is better than alkaline)
Diamond gauge
USB power cable (for use instead of batteries)
Neat heavy-duty carrying pouch for the pocket and a larger case for storage
Stone-holder for loose stones (you can also test stones mounted in jewellery)
Polishing cloth (to clean the stone before the test)
Operation
1) Clean the top (table) of the stone with the polishing cloth
2) Do not remove the cap. Turn it on, wait 5 seconds for it to warm up
3) Place the probe in the centre of the stone as instructed on the display and see the reading (details below).
THE READINGS:
CVD / HPHT / Type IIa diamond
CVD/ HPHT are two are methods of growing diamond = synthetic
Type IIa diamond is a very rare type of natural diamond that will show up as 'synthetic' on this tester. So if the tester shows, "CVD / HPHT / Type IIa Diamond" there is a good chance it's synthetic but this is not guaranteed.
DIAMOND
By "diamond" they mean natural diamond.
MOISSANITE
Moissanite is not diamond (neither natural diamond nor synthetic diamond) but it is useful to be able to detect these because they show up as diamond on the standard diamond testers.
You notice that there isn't a reading not diamond ("simulant"); if you are not a diamond dealer or experienced jeweller you must be certain you are testing a stone that has read 'diamond' or 'Moissanite' on a standard diamond tester.
Technical
Size 192mm X 42mm X 21mm
Weight 76g
Tests* stones from 0.01 to 3 carats incl. mounted stones in any setting
Tests* stones of colour D to J
Tests* round (brilliant-cut) stones that are perfectly polished
* It is important to understand what these limitations mean, see our guide to synthetic-diamond testing.
RESPONSE TIME
Start-up time 5 seconds
Testing time 2 seconds
POWER
Power: lithium batteries (supplied) or any USB power source (USB cable supplied)
Battery life: 4 hours of testing
Auto-power-off yes, if used on battery power it turns itself off after 10mns of non-activity.
ACCURACY
We don't have official figures but, typically, these should give a correct results about 95% of the time providing the colour is 'clear' (colour D to J), and the size is at least 0.02ct, and the cut round ('brilliant') and perfectly-cut, and the stone is reasonably 'clean' - see below.
GUARANTEE
1 year
