Category: watch

Causes of colour in heat treated brown diamonds and synthetic brown diamonds are similar to treated pink diamonds.

In natural diamond the colour is related to a lattice imperfection. This can be mimicked in synthetic or treated diamond by a variety of treatments including annealing, heating or irradiating. The heat and pressure or irradiation can result in the lattice deviation resulting in the brown or pink colour.

Synthetic brown diamond is created by compressing graphite under extreme pressure and heat to above 1500 Celsius. The treatments were perfected in several laboratories in Russia, United States and China.

Lazare Kaplan Internationals Belgium subsidiary Pegasus Overseas Ltd marketed the General Electric processed diamonds under the name GE POL or in the USA as Bellataire.

This led to a technique for creating, or treating brown diamonds into higher valued colours like yellow or colourless diamond.

The disclosure of the treatment is noted by the “GEPOL” inscribed on the girdles of every treated diamond.

Brown diamonds are often marketed with expensive sounding names like Cognac, Champagne or Chocolate diamonds. Natural brown diamonds are a cheap alternative to more expensive colours.

Mark Gershburg CEO of GSI said that after decades of just mining rough diamonds. Botswana capital Gaborone now cuts, polishes and sells diamonds.

This has created demand for gemmological laboratories. Therefore Gemological Science International has now opened a laboratory in Botswana’s trading centre.

Petra Diamonds has recovered a 29.6 ct blue diamond, possibly the rarest and most coveted in the world.

Cailey Barker at brokers Numis said the diamond could fetch between $15 million and $20 million at auction.

Chief Executive Johan Dippenaar said “this is probably the most significant stone we’ve ever, in terms of blue stones, recovered”. At the mine is located in South Africa.

New York, November 12, 2013

Dear Colleagues,

Much has been written in the past month concerning synthetic diamonds being represented as natural diamonds. We at the DMIA believe that it is imperative that the industry respond immediately and forcefully.

DMIA issued a formal call to action 18 months ago in May of 2012 (reprinted below in its entirety) and do so again now. In our view, one of the major problems in attacking this issue is the lack of cohesion from stakeholders all of whom are rightfully very concerned.

As an industry leader DMIA is indeed making progress as we are in constant contact with local as well as Federal law enforcement agencies, the United States Department of State, and our domestic industry leaders; among them GIA, JA, AGS, MJSA, JVC, to mention just a few.

We once again call on the international and domestic leaders from industry, law enforcement, and laboratories to physically gather together as soon as possible and for as long as is necessary to finalize the best approach.

To that end, we reiterate today that we are ready to host a conclave in New York City and will work immediately with our colleagues to make it a reality.

Ronnie VanderLinden, President

Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America

DCLA teaches about diamond grading and diamond buying at a hands-on Diamond Workshop; register now for a 2-3 hour course before buying your diamond.

DCLA diamond experts will walk participants through the steps of grading a diamond for quality, and how to buy a diamond, during a 2-3 hour in-house workshop located at the actual DCLA Laboratory.

Call DCLA on 1300 66 3252(DCLA) to reserve your place. Spacing is very limited.

Diamond Buying workshop topics include:
•Detailed explanation and hands-on evaluation of the 4C’s of diamond grading. Participants will take part in the grading process to learn how the quality and value of a diamond are established.
•Choosing the diamond shape, size, and quality right for you
•How to shop for a diamond and questions to ask jewellers
•How to read, understand, and compare Diamond Grading Certificates when shopping
•Explanation and identification of diamond treatments, and how they affect value
•Explanation and identification of synthetic diamonds, and how they affect value

Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the workshop.
Again, contact DCLA on 1300 66 3252(DCLA) to register and reserve your place.

It is with great pleasure that the DCLA announces the launch of the DCLA Diamond Exchange, a new company and diamond trading floor that gives all diamond buyers direct access to DCLA certified and guaranteed diamonds.

The mission of the DCLA has always been to protect diamond buyers and maintain consumer confidence in diamonds. In the continuing pursuit of this mission, the DCLA has had overwhelming demand to provide the public with access to DCLA certified and guaranteed diamonds. If you cannot find a DCLA diamond at your jeweller, DCLA Diamond Exchange is happy to assist.

The DCLA Diamond Exchange is the first and only diamond exchange where consumers buy diamonds with the greatest confidence that all diamonds are guaranteed to be correctly graded, providing you with the right diamond at the right price. Every diamond listed on the DCLA Diamond Exchange is backed by the DCLA Laboratory Consumer Grading Guarantee. This guarantee assures buyers that every diamond listed on the site is independently graded and verified, and is protected by a full-replacement guarantee.

Through the DCLA Diamond Exchange, leading Australian diamond merchants list their DCLA certified diamonds directly to you on the Diamond Exchange trading floor, while DCLA diamond experts guide you through the buying process from beginning to end.

Consumers view and compare diamonds with the personal assistance of a diamond expert in a professional laboratory setting. DCLA Diamond Buying Workshops offer consumers succinct and comprehensive diamond knowledge. Select diamond advisors provide full analyses and explanation of the diamonds being viewed, for complete confidence, understanding, and peace of mind.

This means that the DCLA now provides the first ‘one-stop-shop’ for all diamond consumer needs. Consumers can depend on reliable expert advice and diamond buying information to ensure they make a smart purchase, regardless of where they decide to buy.

Buy your diamond from the diamond experts, and select a jeweller whose designs and work you like. For more information, or to find a diamond, go to the DCLA Diamond Exchange.

Why buy from the DCLA Diamond Exchange?

• DCLA are experts in diamonds and determining diamond quality, with vast knowledge and experience in diamonds.
• DCLA Diamond Exchange draws on the thousands of DCLA diamonds available right here in Australia, which guarantees you the right diamond at the right price.
• DCLA gives you all the information you need to make a smart purchase, even if you buy elsewhere.
• DCLA certifies, guarantees and cold laser inscribes every diamond for your protection.
• The DCLA Diamond Exchange will have the largest selected variety of DCLA Laboratory certified, approved, and quality guaranteed diamonds available in Australia.

THE DCLA DIAMOND EXCHANGE

DCLA has seen an alarming increase in the number of treated diamonds being submitted as natural diamonds to the laboratory for certification.

It should first be said that diamond treatments are neither good, nor intrinsically bad in and of themselves. There is nothing wrong with buying a treated diamond, provided that the treatment is fully disclosed and that you pay the appropriate price for the diamond. Because of their lower cost and value, treated diamonds can allow a person to buy a diamond that appears to be of a higher quality than it truly is.

However, too often the presence of such diamond treatments is concealed. Whether this deception is by intent or negligence, such concealment is tantamount to fraud.

Not only does artificially treating a diamond significantly reduce its value, but most diamond treatments are unstable and reversible. For this reason, all internationally accepted rules for diamond grading forbid the certification of treated diamonds. An extremely disturbing discovery just recently in the DCLA Laboratory was that of a coated diamond accompanied by a certificate from a supposedly legitimate Australian ‘laboratory’.

Members of the diamond industry have a responsibility to consumers to convey accurate and transparent information, and each individual that handles a diamond as it moves down the diamond pipeline from the mines should be held accountable for making known any treatments that a diamond has undergone.

It is deceptive and unfair to fail to disclose treatment of a diamond when it has a significant effect on a diamond’s value. In its pursuit of consumer protection, DCLA is offering a ‘Diamond Amnesty’ for diamond owners Australia-wide – any diamond brought in with its matching diamond grading certificate will be verified for grading accuracy and tested to ensure that it is natural and free of treatments. This service will be provided free of charge.
Diamond Intelligence Briefs: http://www.diamondintelligence.com/magazine/magazine.aspx?id=7833