SourcingJul 06, 2026
Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson Steps DownAfter eight years, Gilbertson is leaving his post at the mining company, which is currently facing a slew of operational challenges.
GradingJan 27, 2014
GIA’s synthetic detection device debuts
The Gemological Institute of America has developed, and will sell to the trade, a screening device for the detection of lab-grown as well as high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) treated diamonds.
With its software loaded onto an attached PC or Mac, the DiamondCheck scans stones and displays one of three results on the computer’s screen: the diamond inserted is a natural diamond, is a diamond but needs further testing, or is not a di
New York--The Gemological Institute of America has developed, and will sell to the trade, a screening device for the detection of lab-grown as well as high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) treated diamonds.
Unveiled to members of the trade press Monday at the GIA’s New York laboratory, the table-top device, called the DiamondCheck, is about the size of a toaster oven and can be used to test diamonds from one point to 10 carats in size.
It takes a single stone at a time. The diamond is inserted table down via a small black hatch that slides open at the top of the device, which is a Thermo Scientific Fourier transform infrared spectrometer loaded with GIA software developed using years of diamond data.
The machine gives users one of three results about the inserted stone: it is a natural diamond; it is a diamond but should be referred to a lab for further testing because it could be synthetic or treated; or it is non-diamond material such as moissanite or cubic zirconia, though the device does not specify the type of material.
GIA Senior Vice President of Laboratory and Research Tom Moses said Monday that the device is 100 percent accurate if used properly.
The GIA is leasing the DiamondCheck to eight bourses worldwide at no cost, beginning this week with the New York bourse and then going on to bourses in major trading centers worldwide including Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Shanghai and Dubai, among others.
In addition, GIA Instruments will sell the DiamondCheck, which is priced at $23,900, to interested members of the trade and any bourses that require more than one machine. Moses said a number of diamond dealers and “major retailers” have inquired about buying the device, though he declined to give any specific names.
In exchange for the devices, the bourses, which will operate the DiamondCheck using an internal employee trained by the GIA, will send the machines’ data to the GIA, which will use it to broaden its understanding on the type and number of synthetics on the market.
The undisclosed mixing of synthetics with natural, mined diamonds, in melee specifically, has been an issue in the trade for the past several years, particularly after a parcel of hundreds of undisclosed synthetics turned up at the International Gemological Institute’s facility in Antwerp in the spring of 2012.
Yet the truth is that no one entity
has any hard data about the quantity of synthetics on the market, and the technology for growing diamonds is constantly evolving.
Moses mentioned Monday that the GIA recently came across a diamond grown using the CVD process that was Type Ia. Up until that point, lab-grown diamonds were Type IIa.
“What we get back from this is more spectra, more experience,” said GIA board member and scientist Rodney Ewing, the Frank Stanton professor in nuclear security at Stanford University.
The GIA’s DiamondCheck device joins other synthetic detection devices already on the market.
In the late 1990s, De Beers’ research and development arm introduced the DiamondSure and DiamondView machines, which are used in grading labs worldwide, including at the GIA.
The diamond miner and marketer also developed a synthetic melee detector in recent years that can batch test melee.
A De Beers spokeswoman said Tuesday that the company is now in the process of manufacturing the Automated Melee Screening Device and will lease it to sightholders in the second quarter and provide one to the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research laboratory in Antwerp later in the year, which would be open to the general trade.
While the DiamondCheck can test diamonds as small as one point and generally takes less than 10 seconds to scan a stone, the machine’s one-at-a-time loading function is not ideal for dealers wanting to test large parcels of melee.
Moses said the GIA could add an automatic feed capability to the DiamondCheck in the future, making it easier to test large batches of melee.
For now, though, the lab focused on immediately supplying a tool to help alleviate market fears about undisclosed synthetics entering the supply pipeline. “We really wanted to come up with a solution that we could get out to the industry as soon as possible,” Moses said.
More on Grading
The Latest
IndependentsJul 06, 2026
Bachendorf’s To Open Fifth Store In DallasThe new location is set to open this winter, featuring the retailer’s first rotating jewelry designer residency.
MajorsJul 06, 2026
Graff Names BTS Star Jung Kook as New AmbassadorThe pop artist appears in the latest campaign for the “Laurence Graff Signature” collection.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CollectionsJul 06, 2026
Pandora’s New Baroque Pearl Collection Is a Whimsical ‘Wonder’One-of-a-kind pearls take the shape of ice cream cones, frogs, submarines, and other imaginative charms.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 02, 2026
London Diamond Bourse Elects First Female PresidentCharlotte Rose said her election is “a sign that this is an industry capable of change.”
Supplier BulletinJul 02, 2026
Elevating Retail Showcases with Today's Necklace & Bracelet TrendsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJul 02, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Flag Brooch Celebrates AmericaThe American jewelry house, founded by Latvian immigrants, has been creating American flag brooches since 1917.
IndependentsJul 02, 2026
D. Geller & Son Partners with KSU Art Students on Store MuralThe artwork celebrates the Atlanta jeweler’s legacy and symbolizes its commitment to supporting local artists and its community.
Events & AwardsJul 02, 2026
Stratus Estate Buyers Offers Jewelers Turnkey Buying EventsIts team can evaluate jewelry and watches, as well as luxury handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
