Impostor Fraud: 6-ct "Natural" Diamond was Lab Grown
January 04, 24
(IDEX Online) - A pear-cut 6.01-ct diamond submitted for grading at an IGI lab was found to be a lab grown impostor.
It had the GIA laser inscription of a genuine natural diamond and was a close match for its carat weight, physical spread, and primary qualities.
But it was soon revealed to be a CVD lab grown by gemologists in Tel Aviv.
"Everyone in our industry must be vigilant," said Tehmasp Printer, CEO at IGI. "As attempted fraud increases, the need for ongoing verification is a necessary step to protect consumers from purchasing misrepresented gems and jewelry."
In June 2021, IGI reported a similar incident in Thailand. A 6.18-ct D color, flawless clarity diamond submitted as a natural diamond turned out to be a lab grown replica that had been cut and polished specifically to match the data on the GIA report.
IGI explained how they unmasked the latest impostor diamond.
"Photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed a doublet at 737 nm due to SiV defects, indicating laboratory growth using the Carbon Vapor Deposition (CVD) process," it said.
"This was further supported by microscopy, which showed a carbon inclusion in place of the feather indicated by GIA, and a cloud, resulting in a lower clarity grade from IGI. A slight depth mismatch was also revealed.
"Such discrepancies could go unnoticed outside of a laboratory, particularly once the stone is set into a piece of jewelry."
Pics courtesy IGI show the fake GIA inscription and the pear-cut diamond.