Identifying Synthetic Diamonds

To learn more about identifying natural diamonds, read about their inclusions.

CVD Diamonds

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamonds come in sizes up to 3 carats, with a normal range of inclusions.

Identification

You can identify CVD diamonds fairly simply. They have a unique strain pattern that doesn't resemble that of natural diamonds and strong red fluorescence. In addition, they lack the typical "Cape Line" at 415 nm on their absorption spectrum. Instead, they present a strong line at 737 nm.

HPHT Diamonds

GE developed the high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) method of growing diamonds. In 2003, a company called Gemesis (now known as Pure Grown Diamonds) improved the process and has created gem-grade diamonds. Producing a colorless stone takes longer than a yellow one, which is worth considerably more. These canary yellow gems tend to have higher clarity grades.

(UPDATE: Be aware that other manufacturers produce colored and colorless diamondsthrough the HPHT process).

Identification

Symmetry

With rough diamonds, one quick clue is the perfect symmetry of the rough crystals. You rarely find perfect form in natural gems, much less a lot of them.

Magnification

Like the GE product, Gemesis grows diamonds in...

Donald Clark, CSM IMG

The late Donald Clark, CSM founded the International Gem Society in 1998. Donald started in the gem and jewelry industry in 1976. He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Society of Gemcutters (ASG). The letters “CSM” after his name stood for Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a designation of Wykoff’s ASG which has often been referred to as the doctorate of gem cutting. The American Society of Gemcutters only had 54 people reach this level. Along with dozens of articles for leading trade magazines, Donald authored the book “Modern Faceting, the Easy Way.”

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