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GIA Debuts Screening Device for Mounted Gems
The Gemological Institute of America said the instrument, which will be priced between $4,000 and $5,000, will be available by the end of the year.
Carlsbad, Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America is introducing a new device that it says will be able to detect lab-grown and treated diamonds even if they already are mounted.
The GIA debuted a prototype of the instrument at the Diamond Detection Expo and Symposium sponsored by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and held in Surat, India last week.
“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.”
The mounted gem testing device uses advanced spectroscopic technology to identify untreated natural diamonds, D to Z in color, and at least 0.9 mm (approximately 0.005 carats) or larger in diameter. It analyzes both mounted and unmounted stones.
GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer Tom Moses added that, “Synthetic diamonds are becoming more prevalent in the market and, if they are disclosed, are a legitimate choice for consumers. GIA and other gemological laboratories play a critical role in ensuring that disclosure.”
The GIA said that the desktop instrument will be available by the end of the year and will be priced between $4,000 and $5,000.
This is the latest initiative the lab has taken to aid in detection of lab-grown diamonds. Last year, it introduced its melee analysis service.
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