Fall 2023 - Volume 59, Issue 3
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Figure 1. Table (left) and pavilion (right) views of a chameleon diamond with visible trigons and tetragons. The trigons and tetragons are shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3. The diamond measures 1.28 cm in length. Photo by Adriana Robinson.
Etch Features Reveal the Morphology of Diamond

Trigons and tetragons observed in a chameleon diamond indicate both octahedral and cubic growth.

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These deep-UV (<225 nm) phosphorescence images of the table (left) and pavilion (right) in a 0.90 ct D-color natural diamond with very low boron showed localized areas of the 500 nm (greenish blue) and 660 nm (red) bands. Images by Evelina Goldort.
Natural Diamond with Unusual Phosphorescence

A rare observation of spatially distinct red and greenish blue phosphorescence in a natural diamond.

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Figure 1. This 3.58 ct natural type IIa diamond with H color and SI<sub>2</sub> clarity displayed a unique fluorescence pattern when exposed to deep-UV light. Photo by Diego Sanchez.
Natural Type IIa Diamond with Unusual Red Fluorescence Distribution

A natural type IIa diamond displays a unique fluorescence pattern when exposed to deep-UV light.

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Figure 1. The etch channel in this CVD laboratory-grown diamond extends across the table facet into the crown. Photomicrograph by Elina Myagkaya; field of view 7.19 mm.
CVD “Etch” Channel

The first report of an etch channel–like structure in a CVD laboratory-grown diamond submitted to GIA.

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Figure 2. Left: The deep-UV (<230 nm) fluorescence image showed blue coloration (due to the presence of dislocation bundles) that appeared nominally similar to DiamondView images of natural type IIa diamonds. Right: When the fluorescence was filtered by an orange long-pass filter that blocked wavelengths below 550 nm, the NV-related fluorescence and the striations indicative of CVD growth became apparent. Image by Sally Eaton-Magaña (right).
CVD-Grown Diamond with Few Diagnostic Features

A CVD-grown diamond submitted to GIA requires very careful examination to determine its origin.

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Figure 1. The 4.04 ct ring fashioned from a single-crystal CVD-grown diamond. Photo by Towfiq Ahmed.
Solid Laboratory-Grown Single-Crystal Diamond Ring

The quality and size of this 4.04 ct CVD-grown diamond ring demonstrate the advancing technology in laboratory-grown diamonds.

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Figure 1. A Bombay bunch consisting of nine hanks and 553 high-quality natural pearls ranging from 3.83 to 5.72 mm. Photo by Gaurav Bera.
A Traditional Bombay Pearl Bunch

GIA’s Mumbai laboratory reports on the examination of an 80-year-old collection of pearls from the Arabian (Persian) Gulf.

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Figure 1. A white button-shaped atypical bead cultured pearl weighing 8.15 ct and measuring 11.73 × 11.35 × 9.03 mm. Photo by Gaurav Bera.
Flame-Like Surface Structure in a Nacreous Atypical Bead Cultured Pearl

A white button-shaped nacreous pearl displays rare flame-like structure.

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Figure 1. Two traditional Indian-style pearl nose rings (<em>nath</em>) set with colored gemstones and pearls measuring approximately 6.63 × 6.09 mm to 8.42 mm (left) and 5.38 mm to 8.02 × 7.61 mm (right). Photo by Gaurav Bera.
Pearls in Traditional Indian Nose Rings

Two Indian-style pearl nose rings are examined in the Mumbai laboratory.

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Figure 1. An unusual ruby with coloring reminiscent of a nebula found in the depths of outer space. Photo by Adriana Robinson.
“Nebula” Inclusion in Ruby Beryllium-Diffused to Heal Fractures

Fingerprints resulting from a flux-assisted heating process give a purple-red ruby a unique appearance.

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