Remain vigilant on undisclosed diamond!

It is impossible for even the most experienced

Gemmologist to be able to detect LGDs

definitively by eye, or with standard desktop equipment!

AnchorCert Gem Lab encourages the jewellery trade to remain vigilant, as they report an increase in the number of Lab-grown diamonds (LGD) being identified. In the context Birmingham Assay Office said to remain vigilant.

Lab-grown diamonds are growing in popularity with consumers, for a range of motivating factors including ethical considerations and price. Lab-grown diamonds are being produced world-wide not just by small private companies but also larger dealers such as De Beers’ Lightbox, Swarovski and Cred Jewellery; all focused on leveraging the commercial benefits of lab-grown diamonds for their customers and businesses as an alternative.

It is impossible for even the most experienced Gemmologist to be able to detect Lab-grown diamonds definitively by eye, or with standard desktop equipment because the chemical and optical properties are the same as natural diamonds. Definitive identification requires specialist testing equipment as used at the Birmingham Assay office, by their experienced team at their in-house grading facility, AnchorCert Gem Lab.

Commenting on Lab-grown diamonds, Operations Director, Carla Good fellow, said: “There have been instances of undisclosed coloured lab-grown diamonds submitted as natural stones.  A specific example was a 0.71 carat uninscribed pink diamond submitted and found to be lab-grown following testing. The customer had secured the stone, believing that the stone was 100% natural.”

She added “It’s critical that retailers and buyers are diligent and aware of services which are available to them to help make selling of both kinds of stones clear, safe and consumer friendly.  Our trusted Gem Lab can support suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers alike. If ever you are unsure, or your customer demands it, we can be on hand to help.”

Senior Gemmologist, Krishna Powar said: “One of our experienced jewellery valuers in SafeGuard had suspicions about a large multi-stone item and wanted a second, technical confirmation so referred the item through our Gem Lab, the item turned out to be lab-grown.”

She added “AnchorCert Gem Lab is a great benefit to SafeGuard; shared knowledge and experience means we can provide customers with definitive outcomes on items which are being valued. If detected the difference of the valuation can be significant, based on the gemmological report specifying if a stone is synthetic, natural, treated etc.”

In September 2018, De Beers released a screening device called SYNTHdetect.  It is specially designed for testing stones in mounted jewellery but can also be used to test loose stones.  The Birmingham Assay Office will be launching their SYNTHdetect service later this month. 

They will also be hosting the Synthetic Diamond Detection Course during March to support De Beers’ continued efforts to underpin consumer confidence throughout the trade.