The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will introduce for sale later this year an easy-to-operate, sophisticated desktop instrument to reliably identify natural diamonds, separating them from all simulants and from diamonds that may be synthetic or treated.
The GIA mounted gem testing device combines advanced spectroscopic technology, GIA’s extensive research into the qualities of natural, treated and synthetic diamonds, and decades of diamond analysis experience to identify more than 97% of untreated natural mounted and unmounted D-to-Z diamonds 0.9 mm or greater in diameter (approximately 0.005 carat). Diamonds that may be synthetic or treated and all simulants are referred for further examination and confirmation.
The new instrument will be priced to be accessible to the trade and is scheduled to be available in late 2017.
“There is perhaps no greater issue in the gem and jewelry trade today than concerns about the possibility of undisclosed synthetic diamonds being inadvertently sold to consumers,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques. “This new instrument is the culmination of more than 60 years of GIA research into synthetic diamonds and will give the trade including retail jewelers the ability to have immediate confidence in their diamonds.”
