The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR) will unveil its latest synthetics detection equipment at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair this month, the De Beers subsidiary reported.
The new PhosView machine allows parcels to be analyzed to determine if they contain high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) synthetic diamonds.
The device lets users view colorless and near-colorless diamonds from 0.003 carats to 1-carat on a screen while the stones are subjected to ultra-violet light. The method reveals stones which are phosphorescing, or emitting light, indicating they might be synthetic since natural diamonds are transparent when placed under ultra violet light. The phosphorescing stones are put aside for further analysis by the machine’s built-in manipulator arms.
“With rising concerns in the diamond industry around undisclosed HPHT synthetics, protecting trade confidence is critical,” said Jonathan Kendall, president of IIDGR.
The instrument, which handles loose stones and some jewelry pieces, will be on show between September 14 and 18. The exhibition in Hong Kong will run from September 13 to 17 at Asia World-Expo and from September 15 to 19 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Photo © De Beers Group
