MEMBERS: Synthetic Diamonds and How To Identify Them

Lab grown diamonds are all around us now. You would be surprised how many are out there in Australia! How do you know if you have seen one? Do you need expensive gear to identify them? How can a regular Gemmologist identify one if we don’t have a lab?

COST: FREE (member only event)

BOOKINGS: Limited spaces – advanced registration required. Contact Kathryn Wyatt with any issues: publicity@gem.org.au or phone 0412 195 964.

In recent years there has been an increasing presence of synthetic, also known as laboratory-grown, diamonds on the market. While most are declared, mostly loose diamonds in larger sizes, many progress through the pipeline undisclosed. Consequently, traders, jewelers and consumers need to be alert to such fraud and have tools to detect such diamonds. John Chapman and Sarah Claire Edwards will briefly describe the two types of synthetic diamond and how their properties are used by simple instruments to distinguish them from natural diamonds. They will demonstrate how luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence) can help reveal synthetics and also how spectroscopy can aid a gemmologist in determining growth origin. Both colourless and coloured diamonds will be discussed.

Who is John Chapman?

John Chapman has a degree in physics and has been active in the diamond industry for over 30 years with technical roles across the diamond pipeline from exploration to diamond grading. John has worked for Rio Tinto Diamonds for much of his career. In the past few years, he has been director of Gemetrix Pty which has developed and currently manufactures luminescence-based instruments to detect synthetic and treated diamonds, more recently adding a spectrometer to the company’s range. When not designing and manufacturing the devices, John directs his experiences and knowledge into Delta Diamond Laboratory that specialises in verifying the origin of pink diamonds from Argyle. John is also chief editor for the Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewellery Conferences.

Who is Sarah Edwards?

Sarah Claire Edwards is a JAA national award-winning designer, registered valuer, manufacturing jeweller, gemmologist, diamond and pearl grader. Sarah has 20 years’ experience in the industry with both national and international qualifications in diamonds and pearls. Some of her many qualifications are listed, below;

• GAA Accredited Diploma in Gemmology
• GAA Accredited Diploma in Valuations
• NCJV Jeweller and Gemstone Valuations
• GAA Advanced Instruments and Techniques
• GAA Jewellery Product Knowledge
• GAA Jewellery Sketching
• IGI Diploma Polish Diamond Grader
• HRD Diploma of Certified Diamond Grader
• HRD Diamond Treatments, Imitation and Synthetic Diamond
• HRD Fancy Coloured and Shaped Diamonds
• GAA Retail Diamond Consulting Course
• GAA Advanced Practical Diamond Grading
• GAA Practical Diamond Grading
• CGL Certified Advanced Diamond Grader
• GIA Graduate Pearls (GP)
• GIA Diamond Grading
• GAA Advanced Pearls
• GAA Advanced Opals
• GAA Management, Administration, Human Resources for Gemmology

Sarah is one of three lecturers in Australia employed by the Gem Ed to coordinate and deliver practical diamond grading for the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) Western Australian division. She is on the diamond committee for GAA and holds memberships for many gemmological associations around the world. She is a long serving member of the National Council of Jewellery (NCJV), The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA), a Fellow the Gemmological Association of Australia (FGAA) and a Fellow of The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA).

Sarahs’ diverse skill set and knowledge within the industry has opened doors to multifaceted employment, from bench work, retailing, wholesaling, managing a diamond laboratory, head grader/gemmologist, designing, merchandising, gem testing, valuing, teaching and training for retail stores to exporting Australian rough gems. Sarah is currently running her own multifaceted business.

Sarah takes a lot of pride in what she does and strives to provide the best service. In addition to her previous experiences and qualifications, she studies and travels around the world for conferences, gem fairs and to dig and fossick for rough gem treasures. She is committed to being at the forefront of the industry and understanding mine to market and ethical responsibility. Sarah is passionate about her work and the sharing of her knowledge.