The World Gemological Institute and SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute are collaborating on a program to enhance the understanding of diamond treatments and their detection methods. WGI research staff members have visited the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute in Basel, Switzerland, to acquire knowledge on the latest findings in the field of diamond treatment detection.
 
Among the technologies reviewed were advanced spectroscopic methods including laser induced photoluminescence, FTIR and UV/VIS spectroscopy. Also discussed were applications in the detection of color enhancement treatment in fancy colored diamonds and color removal in brown diamonds.

World Gemological Institute said it is aspiring to extend the scientific database available for research into the nature and complexity of diamond treatments. It hopes the joint effort will add insights into treatment detection and consumer education. This collaboration will include knowledge sharing in many aspects of diamond and gemstone research.
 
“This initiative is very important to us,” said Yinon Feldheim, WGI chief executive officer. “We start the international research cooperation with leading gemological research centers like SSEF. The market is constantly looking at gemological institutions to support the trade in handling the issue of lab grown and treated diamonds. We are planning to dedicate the major portion of our resources to provide the consumers and the trade with tools and methods to better understand enhancements and treatments.”

JCK