Editors

Thomas M. Moses | Shane F. McClure

Natural DIAMOND Mistaken as extensive searching and careful posi-

HPHT Synthetic tioning, the strain was visible in a few
When a declared synthetic diamond is scattered areas of the diamond. The
submitted to a GIA laboratory, it is not observed strain was linear in appear-
often that the diamond turns out to be ance, consistent with type Ia natural
natural. But this was the case recently diamonds (figure 2, right).
when a D-color 2.23 ct round brilliant With further investigation using
was submitted to the Carlsbad labora- a variety of techniques such as pho-
tory for a synthetic diamond grading toluminescence spectroscopy and
report (figure 1). Its infrared absorption DiamondView imaging, all tests con-
spectrum established it as type IaA>B, firmed a natural origin. Additionally,
with nitrogen aggregates around 80 microscopic observation revealed
ppm, confirming a natural color origin. unidentified dark natural crystal in-
Since it was stated as synthetic, further clusions (figure 3), which might have
analysis was performed. been mistaken for metallic flux.
There are very few gemological in- Subsequently the client indicated
dicators of lab-grown diamonds (S. that this stone was believed to be syn-
Figure 1. This D-color 2.23 ct
Eaton-Magaña and C.M. Breeding, thetic after examination by another
natural diamond was originally
“Features of synthetic diamonds,” party in the trade. However, several
submitted as a synthetic.
Summer 2018 G&G, pp. 202–204). gemological and spectroscopic tests
Yet one of the most reliable and easily confirmed its natural origin.
seen observations is the lack of bire- This diamond demonstrates why
fringence (or strain) patterns in HPHT strain was very difficult to discern stones of uncertain origin should be
synthetics when viewed between (figure 2, left), and this apparent ab- submitted to a gemological laboratory
crossed polarizers. To our knowledge, sence was consistent with our obser- for further testing. It also provides
visible strain in HPHT-grown syn- vations of HPHT synthetics. With confirmation that occasional excep-
thetic diamonds has only been docu-
mented in one rare case (Winter 2016
Figure 2. An apparent lack of strain was observed throughout most of the
Lab Notes, pp. 417–418).
stone, with strain visible only around inclusions (left). Such observations
Although strain observations are
are common in HPHT synthetics and not generally seen in natural or
rarely used by many in the trade, this
CVD synthetic diamonds. With extensive searching and careful position-
natural diamond was perhaps pre-
ing, linear strain was visible within small areas of the stone (right). Field
sumed to be synthetic due to its ap-
of view 7.19 mm.
parent lack of observable strain. When
viewed under crossed polarizers, the

Editors’ note: All items were written by staff

members of GIA laboratories.
GEMS & GEMOLOGY, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp. 430–439.

© 2018 Gemological Institute of America

430 LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018

 amorphous carbon, which drew some
suspicion.
These jewelry pieces initially
seemed to contain natural gold-in-
quartz. Upon further inspection, the
yellow metallic veining system ap-
peared inorganic in the host quartz due
to its very consistent appearance in all
the stones. In the three pieces, the
metallic veins had a spiderweb-like
structure, and a colorless polymer was
also present alongside the metallic
veins (figure 6, left). The colorless poly-
mer areas also showed undercutting,
and the metallic veining had areas of
incomplete filling (figure 6, center and
right). These features were consistent
Figure 3. Microscopic examination shows discernible dark mineral inclu- with the manufactured gold-in-quartz
sions that occur naturally in diamonds and could have been mistaken for products that were first introduced to
metallic flux inclusions. Field of view 3.57 mm. the market at the 2005 Tucson shows
(B. Laurs, “Manufactured gold/silver-
in-quartz,” Spring 2005 G&G, pp. 63–
tions exist for the general guidelines one of the bracelets were set with nu- 64). This material was composed of
that help distinguish natural from lab- merous white stones cross-cut with polymer, quartz, and metallic veining
grown diamonds. In this case, the cor- yellow metallic veins. One bracelet similar to what was observed in the
rection worked to the client’s had black stones cross-cut with sim- stones we examined. Even with the
advantage. ilar yellow metallic veining. Standard slight difference in the face-up appear-
Garrett McElhenny and gemological testing of both the white ance of the natural and manufactured
Sally Eaton-Magaña and black stones revealed properties gold-in-quartz, the manufacturer
consistent with quartz; these results claims that the only way to clearly dis-
were confirmed with Raman spec- tinguish this imitation material is
troscopy. The Raman analysis of the with chemical analysis of the metal
Manufactured GOLD-IN-QUARTZ black stones indicated the presence of alloy.
Jewelry
Due to its desirability, gold is often
imitated with minerals such as pyrite Figure 4. The gold veins in natural gold-in-quartz are irregular and show a
or with gold plating. Gold occurs in natural nugget structure below the surface. Field of view 4.79 mm.
small quantities in many kinds of
rocks throughout the world. It is typi-
cally found in epithermal deposits
where hydrothermal fluids deposit
gold, along with pyrite and other sul-
fides, into cracks and faults of rocks—
commonly quartz-bearing rocks (J.W.
Anthony et al., Handbook of Mineral-
ogy, Vol. 1: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfos-
alts, Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson,
Arizona, 1990). Due to the aggregate
structure of this material, the gold
contained in natural gold-in-quartz is
deposited irregularly, showing a more
natural-looking sporadic veining sys-
tem in the host quartz (figure 4).
The Carlsbad lab was recently
sent three jewelry pieces—two
bracelets and a ring—for identifica-
tion reports (figure 5). The ring and

LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018 431

 tween 7.84 and 8.04. It was evident
that the concentration of gold in the
yellow metallic veins in the natural
gold-in-quartz was much higher than
that of the yellow metallic veins in
the white and black panels of the two
bracelets. In addition, the natural
veins had a higher copper concentra-
tion than the two bracelets.
The manufactured gold-in-quartz
materials first reported in 2005 are
still circulating in the market today.
Consumers should be aware of this
when purchasing pieces reported to
contain gold-in-quartz. The telling in-
Figure 5. Manufactured gold-in-quartz, set in two bracelets and a ring that dicator of manufactured gold-in-
were submitted for identification reports. quartz is the consistent texture of its
yellow metallic veins. The gold in the
natural version is much more spo-
Laser ablation–inductively cou- dicated that the laser had passed radic and appears as chunky conglom-
pled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA- through the yellow metallic layer and erated nuggets.
ICP-MS) analyses were performed on into the host quartz below. Nicole Ahline and Ziyin Sun
the yellow metallic veins in the white One natural gold-in-quartz cabo-
and black stones of each bracelet to chon obtained from the GIA Museum
further separate them from natural was analyzed for comparison. The
gold-in-quartz. Each ablation spot was veins found in the natural sample Freshwater PEARLS, Blister and
drilled twice into the veins. The (again, see figure 4) were composed Loose, with Their Host Shells
chemistry of the first spot was very mainly of yellow metallic materials, GIA occasionally receives blister
similar for the stones in both with additional gray metallic miner- pearls attached to their host shells for
bracelets. The vein was mainly com- als. The same experimental proce- identification (Winter 2015 Lab Notes,
posed of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) with dures were applied to both the yellow pp. 432–434; Summer 2017 Lab Notes,
traces of nickel (0.90–2.67 parts per and gray areas. The chemistry of the pp. 231–232), which can provide help-
million weight, ppmw) and copper gray metallic areas identified them as ful information on the overall growth
(23.58–30.02 ppmw). The gold to sil- an iron sulfide mineral. The chem- conditions and the mollusk species.
ver weight ratio (Auppmw/Agppmw) was istry of the first spot on a yellow Recently the New York laboratory had
between 2.71 and 3.33. The chemistry metallic area showed a large amount an opportunity to study three freshwa-
of the second spot on the same posi- of gold and silver with traces of copper ter specimens: two blister pearls still
tion showed little gold or silver and a (215–257 ppmw). The gold and silver attached to their shells, and one loose
significant amount of silica, which in- weight ratio (Auppmw/Agppmw) was be- “wing” pearl that was reportedly

Figure 6. Unnatural veins in manufactured gold-in-quartz. Left: This vein is filled with both polymer, which is not
flush with the host quartz, and gold (field of view 4.79 mm). Center: A vein of polymer running alongside a vein of
gold with undercutting visible at the boundary of the polymer vein and the host quartz (field of view 3.57 mm).
Right: Polymer fills an incomplete gold vein; the rest of the vein is recessed below the host quartz (field of view
7.19 mm).

432 LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018

 Wing pearls commonly form in the
hinge area within shells, and it was
interesting to see a similar-sized cav-
ity in the shell submitted with this
pearl.
The other two blister pearls were
also claimed to have originated from
a freshwater environment, and this
was confirmed by their optical X-ray
fluorescence reactions. Both speci-
mens showed a strong yellowish
green luminescence under X-ray exci-
tation, a result that agrees with pearls
from a freshwater environment due to
their higher manganese content (H.A.
Figure 7. Three freshwater pearls attached to their host shells. Left to Hänni et al., “X-ray luminescence, a
right: A blister pearl measuring approximately 37.45 × 27.48 mm, a loose valuable test in pearl identification,”
wing pearl measuring 35.82 × 9.37 × 5.94 mm and weighing 10.60 ct, and The Journal of Gemmology, Vol 29,
a blister pearl measuring approximately 23.60 × 19.49 mm. Specimens No. 5/6, 2005, pp. 325–329). Accord-
courtesy of Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry Co. LLC. ing to the owner, the smaller shell
(figure 7, right), possibly a washboard
mussel (Megalonaias nervosa), was
found in the shell with which it was chemistry result of more than 1000 found in a U.S. river, while the larger
submitted (figure 7). ppmw manganese. Freshwater pearls shell (figure 7, left) is likely a hybrid
While approximately 1,000 species usually show higher than 100 ppmw Hyriopsis mussel commonly used by
of freshwater mussels have been iden- manganese content. Real-time X-ray cultured pearl farmers in China. Blis-
tified worldwide, the United States microradiography (RTX) revealed a ter pearls form when a whole pearl
alone is said to host about 300 species, natural growth structure, while within the connective tissue breaks
compared to 96 species in Africa, 60 in Raman spectroscopy detected arago- through the mantle due to its size
China, and 12 in Europe (Virginia De- nite and polyenic peaks, the latter in- and/or weight, or for some other rea-
partment of Game and Inland Fish- dicating the presence of natural son, and presses against the nacreous
eries, 2018, https://www.dgif.virginia. coloring pigments (S. Karampelas et inner surface of the shell, where sub-
gov/wildlife/freshwater-mussels/). al., “Role of polyenes in the col- sequent nacre deposition fuses the
The number of U.S. species shows oration of cultured freshwater pearl to the shell (E. Strack, Pearls,
the spectacular diversity of its fresh- pearls,” European Journal of Mineral- Ruhle-Diebener-Verlag, Stuttgart, Ger-
water resources. Hence, it proves ogy, Vol. 21, 2009, pp. 85–97). This many, 2006, p. 124).
how difficult it can be to apply cor- specimen also displayed the charac- The size of these two blister pearls
rect zoological names to specific teristic elongated, flat, and slightly is impressive, and both protrude con-
shells. However, experienced local curved shape characteristic of wing spicuously from the shell while still
fishermen who harvest the mussels pearls that, as the name implies, re- attached to their hosts (figure 8). The
are often the source of helpful sembles the shape of a bird’s wing. RTX results of the smaller blister
information (T. Hsu et al., “Freshwa-
ter pearling in Tennessee,” 2016,
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-
research/freshwater-pearling-ten- Figure 8. Close-up images of the freshwater blister pearls from China (left)
nessee). The owner claimed that the and the United States (right) attached to their hosts.
loose wing-shaped pearl (figure 7, cen-
ter) was found in a Potamilus purpu-
ratus “Bluefer” mussel in a U.S. river.
Bluefer mussels exhibit a pinkish pur-
ple to deep purple nacre lining and
can produce pearls of a similar color
range. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluo-
rescence (EDXRF) spectrometry con-
firmed that it originated from a
freshwater environment, based on its

LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018 433

Figure 9. The RTX structure of Figure 10. Inclusions in the 1.70 ct ruby from Montana. Left: Close-up of a
the large blister pearl (shown on glassy melt inclusion with an associated thin film showing geometric pat-
the left in figures 7 and 8) re- terns; field of view 1.76 mm. Right: A melt inclusion with an iridescent
vealed a void-like structure in thin film, partial hexagonal zone of particles, and short needles; field of
which a near-oval feature is visi- view 3.81 mm.
ble (indicated by the arrow).

pearl revealed concentric growth arcs sions (figure 10). There were several ticles and more loosely spaced unal-
proving its natural origin. However, glassy melt inclusions and small crys- tered exsolved rutile needles was also
the RTX results of the larger blister tals with associated reflective thin present, a feature that would be very
pearl revealed a void-like structure films. The thin films often displayed unusual in Thai/Cambodian rubies. A
that may be found within natural and hexagonal geometric patterns con- large intact colorless crystal as well as
non-bead-cultured pearls, but a near- forming to the crystallographic orien- smaller white crystals were located
oval feature inside the void is uncom- tation of the host ruby. These deep within the stone, so we were un-
mon in natural pearls (figure 9). GIA resembled the patterns commonly able to conclusively identify them
gemologists believe this oval feature seen in rubies from Thailand and with Raman spectroscopy. This inclu-
was the triggering mechanism that Cambodia and have also been docu- sion scene is consistent with un-
likely resulted in the formation of the mented in Montana corundum (Fall heated corundum from Montana.
blister pearl. Whether this oval fea- 2015 G&G Micro-World, pp. 329– LA-ICP-MS was used to determine
ture is a by-product of pearl culturing 330). A partial hexagonal zone of par- the stone’s trace-element chemistry,
or a natural formation is hard to prove
without examining the blister pearl
thoroughly in other orientations,
which was precluded by its size and Figure 11. The 1.70 ct Montana ruby alongside rough pink to purple corun-
position. While the identification of dum samples from the GIA reference collection. These reference samples,
some freshwater pearls remains chal- collected from Montana’s Eldorado Bar along the Missouri River and
lenging, these known freshwater sam- Wildcat Gulch, part of the Rock Creek deposit, were used to help deter-
ples together with their host shells mine the country of origin.
serve as useful references for labora-
tory gemologists.
Joyce Wing Yan Ho

A Rare RUBY from Montana

The Carlsbad laboratory recently re-
ceived a 1.70 ct purplish red octagonal
modified brilliant-cut ruby measuring
6.28 × 6.25 × 4.56 mm for an identifi-
cation and origin report. Standard
gemological testing gave a chromium
spectrum indicating ruby and a hydro-
static SG of 4.00. The stone displayed
a weak red fluorescence in long-wave
UV and no fluorescence under short-
wave UV.
Microscopic examination showed
an interesting combination of inclu-

434 LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018

and the results were compared to ment of Kashmir sapphires,” Winter
corundum samples from GIA’s colored 1990 G&G, pp. 267–280).
stone reference collection. Trace ele- Recently, a 14.06 ct octagonal-cut
ment measurements indicated ranges blue sapphire (figure 12) submitted to
of 15.1–17.2 ppma Mg, 14.7–16.9 GIA’s Carlsbad laboratory for origin
ppma Ti, 3.67–3.87 ppma V, 359–406 determination was of particular inter-
ppma Cr, 1500–1580 ppma Fe, and est for its several unusually large,
14.6–14.7 ppma Ga. The chemistry eye-visible pargasite crystal inclu-
matched well with reference stones sions. Standard gemological proper-
GIA has collected from Montana’s ties confirmed the host sapphire’s
secondary deposits (figure 11) but not identity, and advanced analytical
our Thai/Cambodian ruby reference testing specified its metamorphic ge-
samples. In particular, Thai/Cambo- ological origin.
dian rubies tend to have higher Mg Microscopic examination revealed
(often above 100 ppma), while this an inclusion scene reminiscent of
stone had much lower Mg levels. “new Kashmir,” a term referring to
Montana’s secondary deposits pro- Kashmir sapphires that have come
duce sapphires in a wide range of into the market since the 2000s. The
mostly pastel colors. Pink corundum blue sapphire featured several negative
tends to be rarer than blue or green, crystals, black graphite inclusions, Figure 12. This 14.06 ct octagonal
and those that possess the depth of unidentified rounded and needle- blue Kashmir sapphire exhibits
color to be called ruby are quite rare, shaped colorless crystal inclusions large, eye-visible inclusions of
particularly without any treatments. (probably slender zircon rods or parga- prismatic pargasite.
The color, combined with the large site), reflective thin films, and fluid
size, makes the 1.70 ct ruby from fingerprints.
Montana an exceptional specimen— Classic Kashmir sapphire fea- The main inclusion features, the
this is only the second such report is- tures were also observed, such as pargasite crystals (figure 13), were
sued by the lab to date. With a “milky” turbid whitish broad bands, transparent with a brownish green
combination of microscopic observa- clouds, a parallel chromium-enriched bodycolor. Many of them were dou-
tion, advanced testing methods, and zone (which glows red under long- bly terminated with a flat, columnar
GIA’s reference collection, we were wave UV illumination), ladder-like/ prismatic morphology with striations
able to confirm the country of origin. antenna-like stringers, and snowflake- along their length, surrounded by
Claire Malaquias like inclusions. halo- or rosette-like thin reflective

Large Pargasite Inclusion in Figure 13. A large prismatic pargasite mineral inclusion. Field of view
7.19 mm.
Kashmir SAPPHIRE
Kashmir sapphires are known to have
occurred in kaolinized plagioclase
feldspar pegmatites, found as pockets
between metamorphic stratified
beds/cliffs of the Himalayan Zanskar
Range. These sapphires captured
many cognate mineral inclusions—
such as pargasite, plagioclase feldspar,
tourmaline, and zircon—which de-
marcate the pockets against the coun-
try rock (E.J. Gübelin and J.I. Koivula,
Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gem-
stones, Vol. 3, Opinio Publishers,
Basel, Switzerland, 2008, p. 194).
Pargasite mineral inclusions (pris-
matic or as long, fine needles) in blue
sapphire are regarded as a strong indi-
cator of Kashmir origin. (R. Schwieger,
“Diagnostic features and heat treat-

LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018 435

 R AMAN SPECTRA
12000 in sapphires from other countries.
Pargasite inclusion from sample
Pargasite RRUFFID = R050321 Nonetheless, pargasite inclusions are
10000 a strong indicator of Kashmir origin.
With the support of advanced analyt-
8000 ical instrumentation (UV-Vis and LA-
INTENSITY

ICP-MS) in addition to careful

6000 examination of the overall internal
features (milky bands, ladder-like
4000 stringers, and snowflakes), the pres-
ence of pargasite inclusions can con-
2000
clusively determine a Kashmir origin.
Jonathan Muyal
0
130 330 530 730 930 1130
RAMAN SHIFT (cm–1)
SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
An Irradiated CVD Synthetic
Figure 14. Unoriented Raman spectra with 514 nm excitation confirmed Melee Diamond Found in Irradi-
the pargasite mineral inclusion identity (blue spectrum), using the RRUFF ated Natural Melee Diamonds
database as a reference (red spectrum).
Mixing of synthetic melee diamonds
with natural melee diamonds has been
reported several times. Those exam-
films. The pargasite crystal’s surface tures supported an unheated call. The ples were colorless (Winter 2016 Lab
pits and altered appearance suggested classic metamorphic UV-Vis absorp- Notes, pp. 416–417; Summer 2017 Lab
that these pargasite crystals were pro- tion spectra, the metamorphic-type Notes, pp. 236–237) and yellow (Win-
togenetic inclusions present in the low-Fe chemistry data collected with ter 2014 Lab Notes, pp. 293–294). Re-
pegmatitic growth environment be- LA-ICP-MS, and the observed inclu- cently, GIA’s Tokyo lab found a single
fore the sapphire began to form. sion scene supported a Kashmir ori- irradiated green-blue CVD synthetic
Raman microspectrometry analysis gin conclusion. The issued GIA melee diamond in a parcel of similarly
(figure 14) confirmed the identity of report identified the stone as a natu- colored irradiated natural melee.
several crystal inclusions as pargasite. ral sapphire from Kashmir with no in- The parcel of 300 uniformly green-
The absence of 3309 peak series in dications of heating. blue round melee was submitted for
IR spectroscopy and the microscopic Pargasite was once thought to be identification (figure 15). Each dia-
observation of unaltered internal fea- unique to Kashmir until it was found mond’s color was attributed to strong

Figure 15. This group of 300 green-blue diamonds (1.97 carats total) was screened by GIA’s Tokyo laboratory.
Among these, 299 were irradiated natural melee diamonds and the one on the right was an irradiated CVD syn-
thetic melee diamond.

436 LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018

 PL SPECTRUM

GR1

INTENSITY
SiV
596/597

550 600 650 700 750 800

WAVELENGTH (nm)

Figure 16. DiamondView imaging Figure 17. The photoluminescence spectrum of the green-blue CVD syn-
revealing weak linear striations thetic melee diamond at liquid nitrogen temperature shows a strong GR1
in the pavilion of the irradiated peak. The SiV – center defect can be observed at around 736 nm. The dou-
CVD synthetic melee diamond. blet at 596/597 nm indicates that this diamond did not undergo anneal-
ing after synthesis.

GR1 by irradiation treatment. Infrared 240–241; Fall 2015 Lab Notes, pp. 320– the table facet (figure 18, center). As a
absorption spectroscopy, photolumi- 321; Summer 2018 Lab Notes, pp. 215– result of the Lightbox mark, the clar-
nescence spectroscopy, and Diamond- 216). Previously reported irradiated ity grade for both was reduced to VS.
View analysis confirmed that 299 of CVD synthetic diamonds were rela- The laser-inscribed internal feature is
them were irradiated natural dia- tively large, from 0.43 to 1.34 ct. This reportedly made using technology de-
monds and one of them was an irradi- is the first melee-sized irradiated CVD veloped by Opsydia (Gem and Jew-
ated CVD synthetic diamond. The synthetic diamond examined by GIA. ellery Export Promotion Council, “De
CVD synthetic diamond weighed Shoko Odake Beers to use Opsydia’s laser tech to in-
0.007 ct, with a diameter of 1.14 mm. scribe lab-grown diamonds in Light-
DiamondView images of the syn- box Jewelry,” https://www.gjepc.org/
thetic showed very weak linear stria- Gemological Analysis of Lightbox news_detail.php?id=4075). It is com-
tions in the pavilion (figure 16). Dark CVD-Grown “White” Diamonds posed of dual narrow lines ~2.5 mi-
inclusions were observed under the Lightbox, a De Beers company, has crons wide with a total area of 300 ×
microscope. The infrared spectrum begun selling “white,” pink, and blue 300 microns, positioned about 200 mi-
showed a peak at 3123 cm–1, and the CVD laboratory-grown diamonds at a crons below the table surface.
photoluminescence spectrum showed flat rate of $800 per carat. Through a Spectroscopic analysis showed
doublet peaks at 596/597 nm (figure third-party vendor, we recently had both samples had very similar fea-
17). These peaks are seen in CVD the opportunity to examine two such tures that were consistent with
synthetic diamonds without post-an- samples (0.24 and 0.26 ct) intended for previously analyzed CVD products
nealing. The photoluminescence setting in a pair of earrings. Both were from other manufacturers. IR absorp-
spectrum also showed a small, broad near-colorless with color grades equiv- tion spectroscopy confirmed these
SiV– center defect at 737 nm next to a alent to G color and cut grades of Ex- samples as type IIa with no detectible
very strong GR1 center at 741 nm (fig- cellent and Very Good, respectively. single nitrogen at 1344 cm–1. Photo-
ure 17). From the peak at 3123 cm–1 Both lab-grown diamonds had very luminescence (PL) spectra showed
and the 596/597 nm doublet peak, few clarity characteristics. The 0.24 ct that both had the 596/597 nm doublet,
this diamond was concluded to be ir- sample had a pinpoint in a bezel facet, indicating that they were as-grown
radiated without pre-annealing. and the 0.26 ct round (figure 18, left) and not subjected to post-growth
Irradiated CVD synthetic dia- had a feather in a star facet, both with HPHT processing (S. Eaton-Magaña
monds are rarely seen at GIA, which VVS clarity. However, the grade-set- and J.E. Shigley, “Observations on
had examined only six of them before ting feature for both was the Lightbox CVD-grown synthetic diamonds: A
this report (Fall 2014 Lab Notes, pp. logo, internally inscribed underneath review,” Fall 2016 G&G, pp. 222–

LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018 437

Figure 18. The 0.26 ct near-colorless CVD-grown diamond (left) has an internal inscription showing the Lightbox
logo, composed of dual narrow lines. The logo is easily detected with a microscope (center) and clearly visible in
the DiamondView image (right), in which the red fluorescence is due to nitrogen-vacancy centers. Also seen in
the DiamondView image are subtle striations, additional evidence of the CVD origin. The outer square of the
Lightbox logo measures 300 microns on each side.

245). Faceted, as-grown near-colorless treated after growth (S. Eaton-Mag- emission from nitrogen-vacancy cen-
CVD samples are less common since aña, “Summary of CVD lab-grown di- ters by PL spectroscopy (figure 19), as
most manufacturers grow CVD lay- amonds seen at the GIA laboratory,” well as visible red fluorescence using
ers quickly, but with a brown color, Fall 2018 G&G, pp. 269–270). DiamondView imaging (figure 18,
knowing that they can be HPHT Through crossed polarizers, we ob- right), but there was no detectable flu-
treated to improve color appearance served very low birefringence com- orescence with long-wave UV. With
after growth. Approximately 75% of pared with the majority of CVD-grown careful DiamondView imaging, subtle
the CVD material in this color range diamonds examined. Additionally, CVD striations were visible through
examined by GIA has been HPHT both samples showed very strong the table facet. In the DiamondView
images, there were no apparent growth
interfaces showing multiple growth
events, and no apparent seed crystal
Figure 19. This 514 nm PL spectrum collected on the 0.26 ct sample at
remnants were observed. Also, PL
liquid nitrogen temperature shows strong nitrogen vacancy centers at 575
spectroscopy of both samples showed
and 637 nm and the 596/597 nm doublet, evidence of an as-grown CVD
very weak but detectable silicon-va-
sample.
cancy centers at 736.6/736.9 nm.
The Lightbox CVD lab-grown dia-
PL SPECTRUM monds, due to their price point and
manufacturer, will likely be highly vis-
NV0, 575
NV–, 637 ible in the trade. The pink and blue
samples, as evidenced by De Beers’ lit-
100000 erature, have an appearance that is un-
596/597 nm doublet
usual among natural-color diamonds
INTENSITY (COUNTS)

80000
and are unlikely to ever be perceived
as a natural-color product. However,
the colorless Lightbox samples are
60000 readily identifiable as CVD-grown di-
amonds by spectroscopic techniques,
40000
592 594 596 598 600 602 604 DiamondView imaging, and their dis-
Raman
tinctive internal inscription.

20000 Sally Eaton-Magaña

0
550 600 650 700 750 800 Cat’s-Eye Brazilian Paraíba
WAVELENGTH (nm) TOURMALINE
A vivid shade of tourmaline varying

438 LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018

 ppmw Zn, and 0.6–0.5 ppmw Sr. The
very high concentration of Cu as well
as the results for Ga (<250 ppmw), Pb
(<100 ppmw), and Sr (<10 ppmw) sup-
ported its Brazilian origin (J.E. Shigley
et al., “An update on ‘Paraíba’ tour-
maline from Brazil,” Winter 2001
G&G, pp. 260–267; A. Abduriyim et
al., “Paraíba-type copper-bearing tour-
maline from Brazil, Nigeria, and
Mozambique: Chemical fingerprint-
ing by LA-ICP-MS,” Spring 2006
G&G, pp. 4–21; Z. Sun et al., “A sim-
plified species classification for gem-
quality tourmaline by LA-ICP-MS,”
submitted for publication). Copper-
bearing tourmaline of this color is
typically referred to in the trade as
“Paraíba” tourmaline.
Cat’s-eye Paraíba tourmaline is not
Figure 20. This 0.51 ct Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil displays sharp new, though fewer than 10 have been
chatoyancy. submitted to GIA laboratories. The
combination of well-developed cha-
toyancy, transparency, pleasing vivid
from “neon” blue to greenish blue, gravity of 3.05. Microscopic exami- blue color, and Brazilian origin make
caused by copper and manganese, was nation revealed diagnostic irregular this a rare and noteworthy gemstone.
discovered in Brazil in the 1980s. Rec- two-phase inclusions, trichites, and Vararut Weeramongkhonlert
ognized as “Paraíba” tourmaline in acicular (needle-like) features. The
the gem trade, it is still highly sought sharp cat’s-eye effect was caused by
after, even though tourmalines ex- an included layer of fine parallel
hibiting this “Paraíba” color are now growth tubes positioned just above
more accessible from localities such the base of the cabochon. The phe- PHOTO CREDITS
as Nigeria and Mozambique. nomenon of chatoyancy enhances its Robison McMurtry—1, 5, 11, 18 (left); Garrett
Recently, GIA’s Bangkok labora- rarity and value. McElhenny—2, 3; Nicole Ahline—4; Hollie
tory received a vivid blue tourmaline LA-ICP-MS was used to perform McBride—6; Sood Oil (Judy) Chia—7; Joyce
with chatoyancy (figure 20), weigh- an elemental analysis. The sample Wing Yan Ho—8; Claire Malaquias—10; Towfiq
Ahmed—12; Jonathan Muyal—13; Shunsuke
ing 0.51 ct and measuring 5.89 × 4.19 showed high Cu ranging from 7289 to
Nagai—15; Sally Eaton-Magaña—18 (center
× 2.46 mm. Standard gemological 10544 ppmw, as well as 9494–10441 and right); Nuttapol Kitdee—20
testing resulted in a spot refractive ppmw Mn, 114–133 ppmw Ga, 55–65
index reading of 1.64 and a specific ppmw Pb, 39–48 ppmw Fe, 14–20

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LAB NOTES GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2018 439