GSI cautions trade due to surge in undisclosed coloured laboratory-grown diamonds

However, according to the organisation, the challenge is that most of the jewellery screening equipment is designed to screen white near-colourless diamonds and not the brown, yellow, and pink variants

USA: The Gemological Science International (GSI) has raised a red flag over a notable increase in undisclosed laboratory-grown brown, yellow, and pink diamonds infiltrating natural diamond jewellery and posing as natural diamonds.

“Over the past several months, our team has seen a rise in laboratory-grown coloured diamonds, primarily in brown, yellow, and pink, being mixed in with natural-coloured diamonds in jewellery,” says Debbie Azar, President, and Co-Founder of GSI.

“The challenge arises as most jewellery screening equipment in the market is designed to screen white near-colourless diamonds,” Azar adds. 

GSI employs a unique proprietary procedure for the screening and detection of finalized diamond jewellery. This intricate process integrates specialized knowledge and expertise alongside cutting-edge equipment, including the latest AI-enabled technology. This amalgamation of resources empowers the organisation to effectively uncover undisclosed laboratory-grown colored diamonds.

The rigorous methodology encompasses a comprehensive approach, ensuring thorough scrutiny and precise identification, thereby upholding the integrity and authenticity of the diamonds assessed. Through continual innovation and refinement, GSI remains at the forefront of diamond evaluation, safeguarding the industry against counterfeit and synthetic imitations.

A substantial portion of the undisclosed lab-grown colored diamonds identified by GSI were Type IIA, featuring a single nitrogen. These diamonds were consistently found set in jewellery, spanning a diverse size range from small melee stones to larger specimens up to 1 carat in size.

In some instances, the undisclosed lab-grown coloured diamonds were intentionally cut to mimic natural diamonds. Severe fractures, pinpoint clouds, and polished-over ‘naturals’ were observed, including distinct brown grain lines. These features closely resemble those found in natural diamonds, potentially passing standard gemological observation. 

As technology in diamond growth advances, growers are achieving greater success in replicating natural diamonds. This poses a challenge to the integrity of the diamond industry. GSI continues to lead globally in testing and detecting undisclosed lab-grown diamonds within finished jewellery, preserving the industry’s authenticity.

GSI continues to stress the importance of using proper processes, equipment, and expertise when identifying diamonds. GSI stands as the sole major laboratory worldwide providing comprehensive screening and detection services for finished diamond jewellery at a significant scale, assessing millions of diamonds annually. Through their commitment to innovation and precision, GSI upholds the trust and transparency essential to the diamond market, ensuring consumers receive genuine, ethically-sourced products.

Retail Jeweller World News