Suppliers to the Jewellery Trade

Technical Information Sheet
Ceres CZeckpoint Operating Instructions

 Adapted from CERES CZeckpoint Operating Instructions
that are included with the unit when purchased.

Ceres CZeckpoint Diamond Tester
How the Ceres CZeckpoint Works
What the CZeckpoint Will and Will Not Do
How to Perform a Test
Recharging and Replacing the Batteries

Technical Information

Features:  User-replaceable ni-cad battery, fast warm-up (10 seconds), metal warning buzzer, auto shut-off, A/C adapter/charger. The most advanced diamond tester on the market.  Pocket size, comes with a black carrying case.  Limited Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty.  Made in U.S.A.

One of the properties unique to natural diamond is the ability to conduct heat very rapidly. No known diamond simulants share this high thermal conductivity; like glass, for example, they are typically poor conductors of heat.

Ceres Electronics was first to recognize the importance of this significant difference in thermal conductivity as a practical, simple method of gem identification. The thermal gem testing technique, developed and patented by Ceres Electronics, is now universally accepted by gem and jewellery professionals.

WebBoss Note: Moissanite has a thermal conductivity very similar to diamond. The Ceres CZeckpoint and all other thermal conductivity diamond testers will give a false positive when a Moissanite stone is tested (that is, Moissanite will fool thermal conductivity diamond testers including the Ceres CZeckpoint). If a stone is a suspected diamond simulant, it is recommended that Moissanite tests be made after it is identified as a diamond by any thermal conductivity diamond tester.

The Ceres CZeckpoint has been designed to assist the professional jeweller and gemologist who can visually identify older diamond simulants such as YAG, sapphire, or titanite, but who may have some difficulty in spotting cubic zirconium (CZ) gems, particularly small set stones. For this purpose, the CZeckpoint provides a fast, reliable and accepted method to confirm the user's judgment.

While the CZeckpoint has proven itself as an inexpensive and practical aid in helping to identify diamond-like gems, positive identification should be confirmed by the use of more sophisticated methods of evaluation, coupled with the experienced skills and judgment of the user.

Optional Power Source

The CZeckpoint operates on either Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries or from an electrical outlet. Both batteries and AC adapter are provided with the instrument. The CZeckpoint will not operate unless it is equipped with Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries.

Metal Warning Buzzer

The CZeckpoint incorporates a Warning Buzzer which indicates that the probe tip has come in contact with metal. Since gold and silver are also excellent conductors of heat, many diamond testers register a diamond reading when you are actually touching the metallic setting of a CZ ring.

For proper operation of the Warning Buzzer, you must hold the set gemstone in one hand, while touching the CZeckpoint's ribbed contact plate with the other. Although the Green (DIAM) light may illuminate, the metal buzzer will sound, indicating that you must retest.

Automatic Battery Shutoff

To preserve battery life, the CZeckpoint circuit includes an Automatic Shutoff feature that will turn off the instrument within 90 seconds of the completion of a test. The instrument will only turn itself off while under battery power.

If the instrument has turned itself off, move the switch to the OFF position and then to ON to restart.

Remove the protective cover from the probe tip and switch the CZeckpoint to the ON position. The red READY light will flash for approximately 10-15 seconds.

• When the READY light remains illuminated and you hear a beep, the instrument is ready for operation.
• To make a test, place the probe tip squarely against the table facet of the gemstone, using sufficient pressure for the metal tip to retract halfway. Press firmly and quickly, but DO NOT cause the tip to retract fully into the machine.
• If the gem is a diamond, the Green light (DIAM) will illuminate and you will hear a short beep.
• If the gem is a CZ, the RED light (READY) will remain on.
• If the gem is another simulant, the RED (READY) light will extinguish, and there will be no beep.
• After the test is completed, the READY light will reappear, signalling that the instrument is ready for the next test.

• For proper operation, the CZeckpoint and the gems should be at room temperature (65-75ºF, 18-24ºC).
• Test only clean gemstones, since dirt and dust may produce incorrect readings. Make sure that the stone is completely dry after cleaning, as water and moisture may cause improper identification.
• Clean the probe tip frequently. It is recommended that the tip be cleaned each time the unit is turned on and is warning up. The tip can be cleaned by scratching it vigorously across a piece of bonded paper. Do not use waxed or coated paper and be careful to point the probe tip straight down toward the paper.
• Always keep the protective cover on the probe tip when not using the instrument.
• You must have chargeable batteries in your CZeckpoint for it to operate properly, even when using the wall adapter.
• Do not test the same stone repeatedly, especially a very small stone. Allow approximately 15 seconds for the stone to cool before retesting.
• Tests must be made firmly and quickly, particularly on small stones. Hold the CZeckpoint as firmly as possible when making a test. Apply pressure to the gemstone immediately upon contact with the probe tip.
• The CZeckpoint will always test very small stones more accurately when plugged into the wall adapter. If you must use the instrument on battery power when testing small stones, make sure the batteries have been fully charged as directed.

Recharging the Batteries

When you receive the instrument from Lacy West, the batteries will need to be charged for 18-24 hours prior to use.

To charge, simply insert the AC adapter plug into the charger jack on the instrument and plug the adapter into a suitable electrical outlet, with the unit switched to the OFF position. The CZeckpoint can be operated with the AC adapter while the batteries are charging.

When the instrument requires an unusually long time to warm-up, or if the READY light appears dimmer than usual, the batteries need to be recharged. Charge the unit for 18-24 hours as directed above.

Replacing the Batteries

Depending on how frequently they are used, Ni-Cad batteries will lose their ability to recharge after approximately three (3) years. When this occurs, the CZeckpoint will no longer operate, even if plugged into a wall outlet.

To replace the batteries, open the door on the back of the CZeckpoint. Remove the dead batteries and replace them with three (3) new AAA Ni-Cad batteries, observing the battery polarity label inside the battery compartment. Slide the battery door back into place and charge the batteries fully as instructed.

Use only Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries in this product. Use of any other cells may damage your unit, voiding the warranty, and could be a fire hazard.

The CZeckpoint's battery connectors can become tarnished when under extremely humid conditions, or when the batteries are removed frequently. Therefore, remove the batteries only when they must be replaced (approximately every three (3) years), and in the event that the battery connectors do become tarnished, clean them with a cotton swab and alcohol.