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Winter 1995, Volume 31, Issue 4

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A Chart for the Separation of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds
James E. Shigley, Emmanuel Fritsch, Ilene Reinitz, and Thomas M. Moses


A chart is provided that describes those gemological properties that are key to the separation of gem-quality yellow, blue, and near-colorless (to colorless) natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds. This format was designed to give jewelers and gemologists a ready reference to identify synthetic diamonds as they enter the jewelry trade. Magnification and luminescence are the most important testing techniques currently available to jewelers and gemologists. The most distinctive features of synthetic diamonds include color zoning, graining, metallic inclusions (often making the stone magnetic), and uneven ultraviolet fluorescence.

Appears on pages 256-264

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