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How to Use a Diamond Tester

Diamond testers are electronic testers which convert the thermal conductivity of the stone into readable data. A diamond tester will normally tell you whether the stone is a diamond (a positive or negative results) and also provide a reading to easily identify the purity of a diamond. Diamonds have a high thermal conductivity and gemstones have a low thermal conductivity; a negative reading will indicate a gemstone and a positive reading will indicate the stone is a diamond.

Things You'll Need

Diamond Reader
Test stone
Diamond

Instructions

- 1
  Read the instruction manual thoroughly. Diamond tester models vary and may require different settings, battery power or show a different output to other diamond testers.
- 2
  Ensure the diamond tester is fitted with fully charged batteries. Remove any protective material from the the fine tipped probe and, using the instruction manual as reference, alter the settings on the diamond tester. Turn the diamond tester on and wait for a few moments for the tester to warm up.
- 3
  Take a diamond or gemstone that you already know the configuration of (i.e., a red gemstone that you know will produce a negative result on the diamond reader) and carefully connect the probe to the stone. With most diamond testers you will only need to touch the probe to the stone for a few seconds.
- 4
  Ensure the reading is correct. If you already know the test stone you have used is a gemstone and will produce a negative reading, then your reading should show a negative result, indicating the diamond tester is set correctly.
- 5
  Connect the probe to the diamond tester onto the diamond. The diamond tester will now tell you whether the stone is a diamond or not.

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