Hong Kong-based Diamond Services Ltd has developed a new screening technology to detect colourless synthetic diamonds. Named ‘DiamaTest’, the technology aims to provide the diamond and jewellery trade with an accurate and affordable solution to screen out loose and mounted synthetic diamonds in all shapes and sizes, company owner Joseph Kuzi told Hong Kong Jewellery at the EGL Asia Gemological Laboratory office in Central. Kuzi is also the laboratory’s chief executive officer.
Most of the synthetic diamonds are of the Type II category; and the screening facilities from major gemmological laboratories are based on the assumption that all synthetic diamonds are Type II, according to Kuzi. “A couple of months ago, a Type IaA synthetic diamond was submitted to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Since then the instruments currently used at gem labs have become less reliable,” he explained.
The newly-introduced screening technology is regardless of the types of the stones. “We are able to detect everything,” said Kuzi. “So far we have tested batches of nearly 1,000 natural and synthetic diamonds. It was a complete success,” said Kuzi.
When asked if the technology can also fit for detecting diamond simulants or other gemstones, Kuzi said tests of a kind have yet to be performed. Screening with the new technology is “very very fast”. “Prepare for the test, collect the goods and put them back in the parcel would take more time than the test itself,” he added.
Unlike the ‘DiamaTest’ technology which mainly screens colourless synthetic diamonds for gem labs, the ‘DiamaPen’ launched in 2012 is an affordable and handy tool for screening and separating fancy coloured synthetic diamonds for a boarder audience. “It is available for everyone online. It goes very well in the United States and India,” Kuzi said.
The new technology will make its debut appearance at the Hong Kong jewellery fair in March 2014.
To cope with the changes made in the diamond industry over the years while keeping up with new technology, Diamond Services is currently investing in a brand new machine in collaboration with a company outside of the industry. “The 4Cs system we are following was introduced some 60 years ago in which the scale for clarity and colour is very subjective. We are developing a unique machine that is able to achieve repeated and consistent results even by different parties,” he added.