Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, and are regards as the highest symbol of love. Because the value of diamonds is high, there are always some lawbreakers who try to make a huge profit by passing off the fake as the real thing. Synthetic silicon carbide, also known as moissanite, is one of the latest diamond imitations. Then let’s take a look at how to distinguish diamond from synthetic silicon carbide.
Synthetic silicon carbide is almost the same as diamond, and they all belong to semiconductor materials. In addition, the impurity content of it is very low and the thermal conductivity is also very close to diamond. Due to the high hardness and high refractive index of synthetic silicon carbide, the light reflecting and luster of the cut surface of synthetic silicon carbide is very close to that of diamond. But we generally distinguish between diamond and synthetic silicon carbide in the following ways.
First of all, we can observe it with a ten-fold magnifying glass.
1, Ridges
The hardness of synthetic silicon carbide is as high as 9.25, but it is not nearly as strong as diamonds, so the engraved edges are not as sharp as diamonds.
2, Double shadow
Diamond is single refraction, while synthetic silicon carbide is double refraction, and these two values are very different. So the double shadow will be produced that the ridges will turn into two images
3, Internal characteristics
Diamonds often contain angular minerals or cracks, while synthetic silicon carbide often contains something like needle-shaped.
Secondly, it can be tested with synthetic silicon carbide/diamond tester.
What we measured with the tester is the relative transparency where near ultraviolet light. In general, close colorless diamonds are transparent.
