In February 2003, New York-based EGL-USA was awarded a $50,000 grant by the JCK Industry Fund in support of the gem lab's ongoing research in the identification of natural and synthetic diamonds modified by high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) treatment. According to EGL-USA director Mark Gershburg, EGL-USA will match the grant it has been awarded. EGL-USA plans to use the research funds toward four initiatives: acquiring advanced equipment, research at HPHT processing facilities, study of various types of diamonds before and after HPHT processing, and education and publishing. EGL-USA included research on synthetic diamonds in its JCK Grant proposal because producers of synthetics use the HPHT equipment to manufacture their stones, which have been more present on the market in the last couple of years, said Gershburg. The original color of the stones can be improved through additi