Since the undisclosed lab-grown diamonds were mixed in with parcels of natural diamonds, numerous concerns have been expressed by the global diamond industry. In this regard, the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) has recently developed the Automated Diamond Spectral Inspection (ASDI), a device which can analyse large quantities of melee diamonds at low cost.
According to SSEF newsletter in March, the patent-pending ASDI analyses round polished diamonds ranging from 1.0 to 3.8 mm in diameter. The device identifies colourless natural diamonds and operates at an average sorting speed of 4,000 stones per hour. In addition, it identifies colourless synthetic diamonds, including HPHT and CVD grown diamonds, as well as colourless HPHT-treated diamonds.
SSEF’s director of diamond department Jean-Pierre Chalain said: “The threat of undisclosed synthetic diamonds possibly mixed into batches of melee diamonds is a very serious issue. Now the release of ASDI brings a safe, reliable and very efficient industrial solution to the trade. The machine can authenticate melee diamonds of low individual value using high-tech methods at a highly competitive price per stone.”
It was reported by SSEF that two major Swiss diamond suppliers and two jewellery and watch-making companies had already ordered the device. And as of the end of February, SSEF had already tested 400,000 diamonds submitted for inspection by the Swiss diamond trade using ASDI.
← Back