Joseph Schubach Jewelers Blog » Uncategorized » GIA Lab Identifies First CVD Synthetic Diamond Over One Carat
This G-color CVD synthetic diamond weighs 1.05 ct. Photo by Jian Xin “Jae” Liao.
Single-crystal CVD synthetic diamonds are occasionally submitted to the GIA Laboratory for identification and grading reports. For the first time, the New York lab has identified a near-colorless CVD-grown diamond larger than a carat that was submitted for grading.
This 1.05 ct pear shape (9.81 x 5.95 x 3.06 mm) was color-graded as equivalent to G. In addition to pinpoint inclusions, it contained some feathers and fractures along the girdle, and its clarity grade was equivalent to I1. No fluorescence was observed when it was exposed to conventional long- and short-wave UV radiation. The infrared absorption spectrum indicated that the sample was type IIa. Images taken with the DiamondView, which employs strong ultra short-wave UV radiation, showed strong orange-red fluorescence with some irregularly shaped regions of blue fluorescence. Photoluminescence spectra collected at liquid-nitrogen temperature with laser excitations from the UV to IR regions revealed features typical of a CVD synthetic diamond, and this identification is consistent with its other properties.
Clearly, CVD synthetic diamonds of better quality and size are being produced as the growth techniques continue to improve.
Note from Joe: This is interesting information on a couple of fronts. As this article states, the techniques to produce bigger and better synthetic diamonds are improving. We’ve been following the progress of CVD synthetic diamonds for years and until now have not seen many colorless stones. We hope to see more of the colorless synthetic diamonds commercially available soon. As you know, we’re a big fan of synthetic diamonds like Gemesis cultured diamonds, which are also lab grown but utilize a process involving heat and pressure to grow the crystal and are only available in colors (not colorless). For more information on Gemesis cultured diamonds, click here.
Style 9026 filigree necklace showing a Gemesis cultured diamond
