Gems and GemologyGems and Gemology
Home
Friday, August 29, 2008Printer-Friendly Page
Service Center
Search
My GIA
Back Issue

Spring 2007, Volume 43, Issue 1


Click to Print

Serenity Coated Colored Diamonds: Detection and Durability
Andy H. Shen, Wuyi Wang, Matthew S. Hall, Steven Novak, Shane F. McClure, James E. Shigley, and Thomas M. Moses


serenity coated diamonds

Gemological, spectroscopic, and chemical properties of diamonds treated using the new Serenity Technologies coating technique for inducing various “fancy” colors are reported. This technique produces intense blue, gray-violet, green, orange, pink, purplish pink, purple-pink, and yellow colors. The presence of a coating can be identified with magnification by observation of an interference-related colored (often bronzy) film, scratches, and colorless and/or dark areas on the surface of the pavilion facets. UV-Vis absorption spectra and chemical analysis provide confirmation of the treatment. Chemical analysis also revealed that the coating is a SiO2 film doped with Au and/or Ag for blue, pink, and yellow coloration, or with a surface Fe2O3 film for orange. No evidence was detected of either chemical diffusion or implantation of foreign elements into the diamond. While the colors produced by this treatment are stable to some standard jewelry repair and cleaning procedures, they are not considered permanent.

 

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 04/27/07 03:24 PM
Use of this site signifies your agreement to its terms of use.
©2002 - 2008 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