How Do I Know If My Moissanite Is Real? A Buyer's Verification Guide

August 29, 2026

There are five reliable ways to verify that your moissanite is genuine. Some you can do at home; others require a jeweler or professional equipment. Here is the complete guide.

1. Check Your GRA Certificate

Every genuine moissanite from a reputable seller comes with a GRA (Gemological Research Association) certificate. This certificate specifies the stone's color grade, clarity grade, carat weight, and cut. It is the primary document that confirms your stone's identity and quality.

Check that the certificate matches the stone you received — the carat weight and dimensions should correspond to the stone in your setting. If your stone did not come with a GRA certificate, contact your seller immediately. For a full explanation of what GRA certificates mean, see: GRA Certificate Explained.

2. The Standard Diamond Tester Test

A standard thermal diamond tester — the handheld device that jewelers use to quickly test stones — will read genuine moissanite as diamond. This is because moissanite's thermal conductivity is similar to diamond. If your stone reads as diamond on a standard tester, it is either diamond or moissanite — not CZ or glass.

If your stone reads as "not diamond" on a standard thermal tester, it is likely CZ, glass, or another simulant — not genuine moissanite.

3. The Moissanite-Specific Tester

A specialized moissanite/diamond tester (which tests electrical conductivity in addition to thermal conductivity) can distinguish between moissanite and diamond. Moissanite is electrically conductive; diamond is not. A stone that reads as moissanite on this tester is confirmed genuine moissanite.

Many jewelers now have these testers. If you want definitive confirmation that your stone is moissanite (rather than diamond), this is the most reliable at-jeweler test.

4. The Doubling Effect Under a Loupe

Moissanite is doubly refractive — it bends light in two directions simultaneously. Under a 10x loupe, a trained eye can see a doubling of the facet edges inside the stone. This is a characteristic of moissanite that diamond does not share (diamond is singly refractive).

This test requires a loupe and some practice to interpret correctly. If you take your stone to a jeweler and ask them to check for doubling under magnification, they can confirm whether the stone is moissanite.

5. Visual Inspection: Fire and Brilliance

Genuine moissanite has a distinctive visual signature: extraordinary fire (rainbow flashes) and brilliant white light return. In direct sunlight or strong artificial light, a genuine DEF VVS1 moissanite produces vivid, colorful fire that is more intense than diamond.

CZ, by contrast, looks duller and has less fire. Glass has almost no fire. If your stone looks brilliant and produces vivid rainbow flashes in good light, it is behaving like genuine moissanite.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Stone Is Not Genuine

Contact your seller immediately with your concerns and your GRA certificate. A reputable seller will work with you to resolve the issue — either confirming the stone's authenticity or replacing it. If the seller is unresponsive, take the stone to an independent gemologist for a professional assessment.

All Moissanite Shine stones are DEF color, VVS1 clarity, GRA-certified, and backed by our Lifetime Gemstone Warranty. Browse our engagement ring collection or explore our best-selling jewelry.

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