CollectionsSep 06, 2024
The ‘Fabergé x Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Collection is Scary ChicIt’s showtime for these jewels, inspired by the motifs and color palette of the new Tim Burton film.
GradingMay 22, 2019
GIA Spots Second Natural Diamond with Lab-Grown Layer
The stone is 0.64 carats and graded as a fancy grayish-greenish blue.
Gemological Institute of America researchers said the gray and blue components from the lab-grown layer of this diamond combined with the yellow from the natural substrate to create the color, fancy grayish-greenish blue. (Photo credit: Robison McMurtry)
Carlsbad, Calif.—GIA researchers recently spotted a second natural diamond with a lab-grown layer that added weight and improved the color, and warned that it could mean the trade will see more of these kind of composites.
According to an article by Troy Ardon and Garrett McElhenny in the spring 2019 edition of “Gems & Gemology,” the presence of both boron- and nitrogen-related defects—which are rarely seen together in natural diamonds—tipped them off there was something unusual about the stone.
The DiamondView fluorescence image of the diamond—a 0.64-carat fancy grayish-greenish blue cushion modified brilliant—showed a blue hue caused by the “cape” peak (nitrogen defect) and natural growth features.
The crown image, however, revealed a greenish-blue color common to boron-bearing diamonds and the dislocation patterns typically seen in diamonds grown using the chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) process.
In addition, a side view shows a distinct layer between the natural substrate and the CVD-grown portion of the stone. 
“These two distinct fluorescence patterns—the greenish-blue from the CVD layer and the darker blue from the naturally grown layer—prove that a layer of CVD synthetic diamond was grown on a natural substrate,” the article states.
A similar diamond, a 0.33-carat fancy blue that was also Type IIb with a CVD layer, was submitted to GIA in May 2017.
The CVD layer on this latest diamond is substantially thicker, 200 microns (approximately the thickness of two strands of human hairs) vs. 80 microns on the 0.33-carat diamond evaluated two years ago, and GIA noted that seeing a second example of this same type of composite could signal a new type of product entering the market.
The lab would not say if both diamonds came from the same client.
GIA also declined to comment on how the stones were submitted—as natural diamonds, or as natural/lab-grown composites—but did note that clients submitting goods are required to disclose all known treatments as well as whether a stone is natural or man-made.
To see more from the spring 2019 edition of “Gems & Gemology,” the Gemological Institute of America’s quarterly research journal, visit GIA.edu.
More on Grading
The Latest
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales SlipCEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ HoopsInspired by a 19th century sculpture, Mandler transformed gold into liquid for these earrings.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand AmbassadorThe model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.
Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8BMembers of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone CuffThe iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head CadarRalph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika CampaignThe models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired CollectionThe jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas FlagshipThe retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for SeptemberThe month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic WatchesThe special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.
CollectionsAug 30, 2024
Piece of the Week: K. Brunini Jewels’ Butterfly RingFly away with designer Katey Brunini’s butterfly ring, as its spring-loaded wings flutter above your fingers.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
Brilliant Earth Promotes Two Executives to C-Suite RolesThe jewelry retailer has a new chief brand officer and chief operations officer.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
Lotus Gemology Publishes Book on Jade History“Broken Bangle: The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature” is an in-depth look at the evolution of jade terminology.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds It is partnering with retailer Tanishq on educating salespeople, shaping the in-store experience, and a “360-degree” marketing campaign.
SurveysAug 28, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises in August Despite Labor Market WorriesInflation remained a top concern among survey-takers who included write-in responses.
TechnologyAug 28, 2024
Verizon Throws Its Hat in the Ring on Smart Rings The wireless carrier is now stocking the Ultrahuman Ring Air in select U.S. stores.
CollectionsAug 28, 2024
Pamela Love’s ‘Jardin’ Collection Is Filled With Lush Green EmeraldsIn a collaboration with Muzo, Pamela Love hand-selected each Colombian emerald for eight one-of-a-kind pieces.
MajorsAug 28, 2024
Stuller Named ‘Great Place to Work’The certification is based on employee responses about their experience working at a company.
Policies & IssuesAug 27, 2024
US to Allow Import of ‘Legacy’ Diamonds From RussiaOFAC has issued two licenses addressing the issue, one for diamond-set jewelry and one for loose diamonds.
Events & AwardsAug 27, 2024
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 CASE AwardsThe annual jewelry design competition celebrates creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
