Oman’s MoCIIP introduces new device to examine transparent diamond

Muscat: As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion to develop its services provided to diamond buyers and dealers, the Ministry has introduced the GIA iD100 device for examining transparent diamonds and determining treatments in it.

The new device contributes from the Gemological Institute of America “GIA”, a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and jewelry, headquartered in Carlsbad, California, which was established in 1931, where the device has the ability to distinguish natural diamonds from diamonds manufactured in the laboratory The stones used in simulating diamonds also contribute to distinguishing different types of diamonds through a process called luminescence analysis, which is a very accurate and sensitive method for detecting any crystal defects in diamonds.

The vast majority of natural diamonds have nitrogen-related defects that can be provoked by ultraviolet (UV) rays, and they are measured spectroscopically, said Nasser bin Ashraf Al Balushi, head of laboratories section at the General Directorate of Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. In contrast to laboratory-made diamonds and the stones used in simulating diamonds, they have the same nitrogen-related defects, and therefore mined diamonds can be identified through luminescence analysis.

The head of the laboratory department explained that the new device, GIA iD100, automatically collects and analyzes the optical signal to detect the luminescence signature of diamonds. He pointed out that natural diamonds have a distinctive luminescence signature that differs from the rest of the other varieties.

Nasser Al Balushi added that the GIA iD100 can be used to test loose and composite stones in jewelry, and the device can examine all types of pieces with a diameter of about 0.9 mm or larger.

The head of the laboratories department stressed that the new device contributes to raising the level of performance, achieving accuracy in the results and reducing the degree of risk to which the consumer and the trader alike are exposed.. He pointed out that examining the precious stone in a specialized laboratory for testing stones, which has technical and technical capabilities, is the best way to avoid being cheated on.