CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
GradingMay 03, 2017
GIA Sees Blue Diamond That’s Synthetic-Natural Composite
The 0.33-carat stone has a very thin layer of CVD-grown Type IIb diamond on top that earned it a grade of fancy blue.
This is the 0.33-carat fancy blue diamond that the Gemological Institution of America determined was a synthetic-natural composite. When asked about the color of the diamond--which does not appear to be all that blue--the GIA said pale colors are difficult to photograph. (Photo by Sood Oil (Judy) Chia.)
New York--The Gemological Institute of America reports that a mined white diamond with an extremely thin layer of blue lab-grown diamond on top was submitted to its New York laboratory recently.
According to an article published online now and slated for the summer print edition of “Gems & Gemology,” the 0.33-carat stone is a composite of CVD synthetic Type IIb diamond overgrowth on a natural Type Ia.
The lab-grown diamond layer is only 80 microns (0.003 inches) thick, but it’s enough for the diamond to grade as a fancy blue.
Though the GIA said the stone was not submitted as a lab-grown diamond, there were a few things that tipped off researchers.
As the article states, the diamond had both nitrogen and boron defects. Nitrogen defects are the most common defect found in natural diamonds, while boron is the element that gives diamonds a blue tint and is a rare impurity, which is why natural blue diamonds are so few and so valuable.
The GIA said it is “very unusual” to see these two elements together in a single diamond, as essentially what they were looking at was a mixed Type Ia and Type IIb diamond. The last time the GIA reported on one of these being found in nature was nearly 10 years ago, in the spring 2009 edition of “Gems & Gemology.”
Secondly, a detailed analysis conducted using the DiamondView machine showed a yellowish-green fluorescence zone at the top of the crown that had a clearly defined boundary visible along the interface layer on the crown facets.
This, combined with SiV- defects and phosphorescence, indicated to GIA researchers that the top layer was a diamond grown using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.
The bottom of the stone, meanwhile, displayed blue fluorescence but no phosphorescence in the DiamondView and had a strain pattern in the pavilion, both of which are consistent with a stone that is a natural Type Ia diamond.
This is the not the first diamond that’s a synthetic-natural combination.
The GIA noted in its research article that CVD diamond films have been applied to natural diamonds since the 1960s, and the successful addition of CVD-grown diamond layers on top of mined diamonds happened in 1993.
But this is the first synthetic overgrowth on a natural diamond with a fancy color grade that the GIA said it has ever seen.
As the lab put it
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
in an email to National Jeweler on Tuesday: “Although CVD has been experimentally used to grow over natural diamond, it is not a simple process to perform with a favorable result on a gem-quality diamond.”
That is, apparently, until now.
GIA Director of Research and Development Wuyi Wang, along with New York-based GIA researchers Kyaw Soe Moe, Paul Johnson and Ulrika D’Haenens-Johansson, authored the article.
That is, apparently, until now.
GIA Director of Research and Development Wuyi Wang, along with New York-based GIA researchers Kyaw Soe Moe, Paul Johnson and Ulrika D’Haenens-Johansson, authored the article.
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
