Gems and GemologyGems and Gemology
Home
Thursday, January 8, 2009Printer-Friendly Page
Service Center
Search
My GIA
Back Issue

Spring 2005, Volume 41, Issue 1


Click to Print

A Gemological Study of a Collection of Chameleon Diamonds
Thomas Hainschwang, Dusan Simic, Emmanuel Fritsch, Branko Deljanin, Sharrie Woodring, and Nicholas DelRe


Chameleon diamonds are among the rarest of gem diamonds. This article reports on a unique collection of 39 chameleon diamonds ranging from 0.29 to 1.93 ct, which exhibited temporary changes in color when heated to approximately 150°C and, for some, after prolonged storage in the dark (i.e., thermochromic and photochromic color changes, respectively). Most changed from “olive” green to brownish yellow or yellow, although some changed from light yellow to a more intense greenish yellow. The thermochromic and photochromic color change observed in the “olive” green chameleon diamonds is typical of “Classic” chameleons, whereas the solely thermochromic change shown by the light yellow group was the “Reverse” of that seen in Classic chameleon diamonds. The Classic and Reverse groups showed different spectroscopic and UV fluorescence characteristics, but all stones exhibited strong long-lasting phosphorescence after short-wave UV excitation. Hydrogen was identified in all samples by FTIR spectroscopy, and minor Ni-related emissions were detected by photoluminescence spectroscopy in most. Using this combination of reaction to UV radiation and spectroscopic properties, a gemologist can separate chameleon from other green diamonds without unnecessary exposure to heat.

Back to Table of Contents

Click Here to Buy This Issue or to Subscribe to Gems & Gemology


Home | About GIA | Ethics Helpline | Education | Laboratory | GIA Reports | Research | Instruments & Books | Alumni Association
Gems & Gemology | Employment at GIA | Careers Available | Newsroom | Publications | Library | Events & Trade Shows | Support GIA | GIA History | How to Buy a Diamond
Contact | Search | Site Map | Help
This page was last updated 08/15/05 09:08 AM
Use of this site signifies your agreement to its terms of use.
©2002 - 2009 Gemological Institute of America Inc.
GIA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
All rights reserved.
World Headquarters and Robert Mouawad Campus
5345 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, California 92008
Tel: 760-603-4000