Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:33 am Posts: 524 Location: East Coast
This is a repost taken from Bonnie Wolff's Facebook Post Thought you all might like to read it
INTRA-LABORATORY ALERT Undisclosed submissions of colorless to near-colorless CVD synthetic diamonds to IGI Dear Colleagues, During the past weeks, a few hundreds of CVD synthetic diamonds were submitted to IGI laboratories in Antwerp and Mumbai, with the clear aim to have these man-made diamonds certified as natural diamonds. In each case the synthetics had very similar characteristics and may therefore have had a common origin. IGI readily identified these as synthetic diamonds. The purpose of this lab alert is to warn members of the gemological community, and urge them to be particularly vigilant. The CVD synthetics submitted in unusually large numbers were as follows: Mostly F to J Color, Clarity VVS – VS. Internal characteristics were feathers, pinpoints, small dark crystals. The inclusions are strikingly similar to natural inclusions, hence, microscopic observation is insufficient to conclude. Sizes ranged from 0.30 ct to 0.70 ct. Polish, Symmetry and Cut were either “Excellent” or “Very Good”. Bruted or faceted girdles. They were all type IIa and were referred as such by DiamondSure. When tested using DiamondPlus all the synthetics gave a “refer CVD” result. When viewed in DiamondView they showed bluish green fluorescence and blue phosphorescence, with characteristic striations. The synthetics showed moderately strong photoluminescence from H3 and nitrogen-vacancy optical centres (zero-phonon lines at 503 nm and 575/637 nm respectively). They also exhibited photoluminescence at 737 nm that is attributed to siliconvacancy centres. Absence of any laser inscription. Due to the recent volumes of man-made stones submitted, IGI management decided to liaise and consult with the Belgian Federation of Diamond Bourses (BFDB), DTC Research, and the AWDC. Additionally, IGI decided to share detailed scientific information with other gemological laboratories around the world, as we now suspect that the volumes of colorless synthetic diamonds being released on the global markets have increased noticeably, and may perhaps already be prevalent throughout the diamond centres. Trading in misrepresented or undisclosed products, whether inadvertently or not, could cause irreparable damage to the industry’s reputation. Furthermore, such irresponsible practices could undermine the integrity of the diamond supply chain, damaging both trade and consumer confidence. These recent events emphasize the importance of having ready access to methods for detecting synthetics. Parcels of stones containing unusually high proportions of type IIa’s should be treated with particular caution. In most cases we know of, the parties who submitted these stones to IGI purchased these undisclosed synthetics at prices that were equivalent to prices of natural diamonds. CVD synthetic diamonds are undetectable when using only traditional diamantaires’ tools such as loupes and microscopes. Therefore, gemologists’ expertise is of paramount importance. All 18 IGI labs worldwide have the ability to detect synthetic diamonds as well as all diamond treatments. Gemological laboratories like IGI are continuously being challenged due to rapidly evolving technologies. The laboratories’ role in preventing undisclosed man-made materials from being traded as natural stones is therefore taking on an increasingly vital role.
This is a repost from Bonnie Wolff Thanks for the Alert Bonnie
_________________ High Sierra Gem Lab La Shawn Bauer, G, G, GG, ASG/AGA, CGL/AGA, CGL/IJO, CDG/IJO, RMV, CM/NAJA
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:33 am Posts: 524 Location: East Coast
I hope IGI had the balls to contact the dealers and cutters and bar them from using their labs for 5 years and I hope IGI also sent the vendors names to a Central Watch List Data Base that all Labs can access so that all labs could and should void doing business with those cutters and vendors. This is the only way to stop this crap from happening. Nip it in the bud now!!!
And if such a data base is not currently in place then it needs to be formed now and until then send those names of vendors and cutters to each lab by direct email.
I hope all of my gemological and appraiser friends and colleagues will take an In-Dept Synthetic Diamond Detection class to learn the Tell-Tale Signs that will raise the Red Flag when looking at diamonds and I also hope you all will refer to my very simple and easy article on how to convert your microscope to that it can become a Polarized Microscope as that will help you in detecting Synthetic Diamonds. Also learn how to test diamonds for U.V. Transparency as that is another detection tool. Please get educated and stay current.
Diamond Cutters and Diamond Dealers should be required by law to test their material (Diamonds) before passing them along the supply line/chain and they should also be required to sign a legal binding document that they accept full responsibility that the material (Diamonds) are Natural and Not Synthetic!!! There is no excuse for ignorance in this day and age!!! If you don’t know what you are cutting and polishing and or selling then you should not be in the business. It’s that simple and that direct.
_________________ High Sierra Gem Lab La Shawn Bauer, G, G, GG, ASG/AGA, CGL/AGA, CGL/IJO, CDG/IJO, RMV, CM/NAJA
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This will tell you whether or not you have a potential CVD diamond. Most diamonds produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are Type IIa (Colorless and Near Colorless and a few pinks), therefore, if you have a diamond that tests positive, more tests are needed. Such as, determining the nature of the inclusions. Side note: Blue CVD Diamonds are type IIB. -JCK's article on identifying CVD Synthetic Diamonds
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:33 am Posts: 524 Location: East Coast
I’m currently in the process of putting together a photo essay article and Step-by-Step Instructions on how you can build your own L.W. / S.W. U.V. Diamond Transparency Detection tool for under $100.00 Yes!!! Under a Hundred Dollars, U.S. It is very, VERY EASY!!!! Just about anyone can build it with simple hand tools. I’m sure I will make a lot of people very, very, mad, upset and unhappy for showing you how to do this on the cheap. OH WELL!!!
_________________ High Sierra Gem Lab La Shawn Bauer, G, G, GG, ASG/AGA, CGL/AGA, CGL/IJO, CDG/IJO, RMV, CM/NAJA
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Below is the actual trade alert from IGI Clik on the link if you can not read it directly http://www.diamonds.net/News/FilesRep/D ... 0Alert.pdf [pdfview]http://www.diamonds.net/News/FilesRep/Docs/IGI%20Trade%20Alert.pdf[/pdfview]
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:23 am Posts: 923 Location: NYC
complete news
Synthetics Specifically ‘Made to Defraud’ - Antwerp IGI Lab Discovers over 600 Undisclosed Synthetic :
Quote:
It started in New York. A respected diamond merchant bought in the market a parcel containing about 1,000 of what he believed were – and were offered as – natural polished diamonds in sizes ranging from 0.30 carats to 0.70 carats. The colors ranged from F to J – colorless or near-colorless. They were of high quality and the buyer decided to submit the stones to the IGI laboratory in Antwerp for certification.....
The Mystery of Two Gemesis Companies Under One Hat
Quote:
The alert by the DTC to its sightholders notes that the undisclosed synthetic diamonds submitted to the IGI and other labs have characteristics similar to known Gemesis laboratory-grown materials, a conclusion based mostly on scientific literature. Diamond Intelligence Briefs has therefore made an effort to investigate whether, for all practical purposes, it could be possible that non-disclosed polished made from Gemesis-grown synthetics could be available in the market. Our investigation led us in strange directions. Chaim Even-Zohar’s report follows:.....
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:33 am Posts: 524 Location: East Coast
WOW!!!!
Thanks Roshanravan for the up-date and for the other articles that you posted
It was an interesting read and the more you read the stranger and scarier it got.
Everyone is asleep at the wheel and asleep at the switch.
And to think this is just the Tip of the Nasty Iceberg that will instantly become a World-Wide Nightmare because currently there is no way for large scale mass-detection and testing for melee diamonds under 1/4 ct (0.25ct.) The costs are currently prohibitive to make it economically feasible.
This New Nightmare that we have only once just talked about amongst ourselves within the trade has now materialized and it will make “BLOOD DIAMONDS / CONFLICT DIAMONDS” look like a simple walk in the park!!
The Consumers are going to be pissed beyond belief!! Once they catch wind of this and believe you me I’m sure the New York Times and other news papers have already been alerted along with the major T.V. News programs and investigative reports and we will now have to play defensive and apply damage control instead of having the foresight to have had clear cut plans in place because we all knew this was coming 25+ years ago and the jewelry industry sat on their lazy ass and did absolutely nothing to prepare for this eventuality. We all knew in advance. It was a matter of when it would happen and not if it would happen.
Why is it the Jewelry Industry continues to repeatedly shoot itself in the foot over and over again? EPIC FAIL !!!
Therefore as of today (05-2012) All melee diamonds are basically suspect Synthetic Diamonds and should be treated and classified as such. The point is moot because the supply line / supply chain has become infected and there is no way what-so-ever to calculate the amount of infiltration of Synthetic melee has already been dumped into the diamond market and into the consumer market. Spot sampling to reassure the consumer or retailer or wholesaler is a BIG SICK JOKE!!!
Now the other side of the coin!!!
All of the Large Gem / Diamond Grading Labs are having a private party and High Fiving one another because now once the public gets wind of this NO ONE will be able to sell a diamond over 1/4 ct. (0.25ct) without a Diamond Grading Report to prove that it is NATURAL and NOT SYNTHETIC. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Lab Reports will instantly now be needed just to sell any diamond over a 1/4 ct. (0.25ct.)
Think about it the Labs are now assured permanent job security, additional increased workload and demand for the foreseeable future. This will be like a Year Round Christmas Bonanza for them.
This is a total mess and once more the Jewelry industry will bury their heads in the sand and spew forth calming words saying that everything is under control and everything is just fine. Yeah and I have a very famous bridge I can sell to you real cheap.
_________________ High Sierra Gem Lab La Shawn Bauer, G, G, GG, ASG/AGA, CGL/AGA, CGL/IJO, CDG/IJO, RMV, CM/NAJA
Coming Soon:
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From Simple Minds, comes Simple Answers & Even Simpler Solutions
by the way, concerning synthetic CVD diamond types, these are mainly type IIa and some type IIb have been produced by doping with boron. However, I guess type Ib could also be produced by doping with nitrogen, right? And as I mentionned in a thread I just opened, HPHT annealing treatment can be used to convert type Ib into type Ia.
So I wouldn't be surprised if in the future synthetic HPHT and synthetic CVD diamonds of all types (Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb) would be encountered. Your opinion?
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 11:24 am Posts: 7523 Location: Rome, Italy
Hola Jason,
the spotter is useful to discriminate IIa and the even rarer IaAB from other diamond types, those 2 are transparent to SWUW wavelenght. i'd say in this case it could be useful in combination with UV reaction observation as explained in the articles above. ciao albé
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 11:24 am Posts: 7523 Location: Rome, Italy
definitely made for larger stones................ i tested even 5 points but wasn't easy at all.................an alternative (far more expensive, around 1900 euros) is the Comdiam D-screen which can test even 1 point stone..... maybe i'm wrong but i read recently a post by LaShawn where he said he would soon post a description of a DIY spotter which could go for less than 100$............. however, all those machines are NOT rocket science: the stone must be placed in the middle between an SWUV source and a SWUV reacting material. If the material will react that means SWUW were able to pass the stone........... so you have a IIa or IaAB stone.....
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 11:24 am Posts: 7523 Location: Rome, Italy
have a look to this brilliant and very cheap method described By Christopher Breeding in the nice article "The "type" classification system of diamonds ans its importance in gemology", G&G - summer 2009.
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