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. It also 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 (most testers of this type are either for loose stones only, or can only test stones in small rings with open settings) 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
• Fast response (test-result in 2 to 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. 

Instruction manual

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 is good for detecting the 'difficult' stones such as Cz (cubic zirconia), GGG (Gadolinium Gallium Garnet), YAG (Yttrium  Aluminium Garnet), High Zircon and Strontium Titanate.  Diamond dealers may have to look twice before realising (without a tester) that these are not diamond; the average jeweller will think they look like diamond. A Cz reading can also indicate Synthetic Sapphire, Synthetic Spinel and glass.  A "Simulant" reading is finely-tuned to detect sapphire but other gemstones can register Simulant too. 

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 2 to 3 seconds

Size, must be a minimum of 20pts (0.2 carat) = table (top) diameter at least 2.1mm.
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 2.1mm diameter (approx. 20 points) so if the stone is small, check it with a diamond gauge. For the non-expert: select a diamond gauge as your free gift. For the professional jeweller: about 20 points.

Stones must be of a modern 'brilliant' cut, it will not test shallow stones. For the non-expert: make sure the stone is recent (eg not from the 19th century) and is round. 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-cut etc. 

The stone must be very 'white' in colour (colour D to J).
For the non-expert: if it has any colour (e.g. the tiniest slightest yellow tint) you won't get an accurate reading. It takes an expert to colour-grade a stone, to the non-expert Colour Grade D will look exactly the same as Colour Grade J.  For the professional jeweller: if you work at a shop counter and don't understand this, please ask your diamond expert to colour-grade the stone for you.  Alternatively buy a set of colour-graded stones and match your stone against one of the samples in the set.   

For more information see our guide to synthetic-diamond testing.

Disclaimer

All testers  must be used in conjunction with the user's skill, knowledge and experience. Under no circumstances shall QUICKTEST be liable for direct or indirect loss sustained in connection with any item. Nothing is 100% accurate, you must understand the limitations of any tester you buy. We also suggest you regularly test known samples to check for any obvious faults. Full support given for items you buy from QUICKTEST.

Further Information

All about electronic gem testers 
Gem testers | Quicktest

Guide to buying and testing diamonds 
Guide to buying and testing diamonds | Quicktest

Distinguishing diamond from Moissanite
Distinguishing diamond from Moissanite | Quicktest

Testing for synthetic diamonds
Testing for synthetic diamonds | Quicktest

Books
Jewellery, hallmarks, gemstones | Quicktest

Free gift details

If you would like one of the following free gifts with this product, select one from “Select your free gift” above.

	Diamond gauge, laser-cut, multi-shape, acrylic (RRP £12.50 )
	Bottle of Isopropyl for cleaning stones (RRP £3.50 )
	Steel Diamond Gauge, oval (RRP £4.50 )