In 2018, the fight against counterfeits is a top priority - essential information
In November 2017, specialists at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced the discovery of synthetic diamonds mixed into a batch of natural diamonds brought in for certification.
The fraud was uncovered after the gemologist specialists at the GIA laboratory in Carlsbad, California used high-performance equipment for testing.
The fake diamonds were, in fact, synthetic stones produced using HPHT technology (High Pressure, High Temperature). Moreover, the growth structure and phosphorescent light emission - visible through DiamondView technology - once again gave away the attempted fraud.
"This kind of counterfeit is fairly rare, but that should only heighten our level of vigilance. The industry and clients must be warned that, at the slightest suspicion, they should ask for valid and verifiable certifications (certifications from prestigious neutral bodies such as the international gemological laboratories).
Certifications issued by traders have no relevance for diamonds above a certain size. We work only with internationally certified natural diamonds, and this has spared us such situations," says Marian Constantinescu, CEO of Diamante.ro.
We believe that the Romanian market for gold jewellery with diamonds is not mature enough to steer clear of such deceptive practices, which is why we urge buyers to exercise the utmost caution.
The tax invoice and the international gemological certificate can make the difference between a fake, synthetic diamond and a genuine, natural one.
We have operated in this trade for almost a quarter of a century, and we don't want the desire for quick riches on the part of a few adventurers to affect the credibility of brands that, as you can see, have decades of sustained effort behind them in building an honest reputation.
Any serious jewellery maker should have a constant concern that the market in which it operates functions according to clear, transparent rules governed by "fair play".
The clients of any workshop must be informed and protected from such situations which, it is true, are quite rare but which call for firm and prompt responses.
"It is impossible for a client to spot this kind of counterfeit, which is why our consultants are trained to provide the guidance needed to avoid confusing situations and to dispel any suspicions.
Laser-engraving each diamond with a unique identification code guarantees that the diamond in question is exactly the one presented in the gemological certificate.
When you buy a precious stone, you should first find out whether it is natural or synthetic. Don't be fooled by marketing strategies that invent names for synthetic stones. Hydrothermal sapphire, emerald or ruby means a synthetic stone. 'Man-made' diamond, moissanite or other names mean synthetic.
I would like to make one clarification, however: distinguish between a stone CREATED in a laboratory and a stone TREATED in a laboratory - emeralds, for example, are 90% of the time given a treatment with a special oil.
There are NATURAL diamonds whose colour or clarity has been enhanced in a laboratory, but all these operations carried out on the NATURAL stone are specified very clearly and visibly in the gemological certificate.
That is why the international certification of a diamond is the ultimate guarantee that the precious stone giving brilliance to an engagement ring is 100% natural, and any brand that respects itself and its clients acts in such a way that they are correctly informed," says Marian Constantinescu, CEO of Diamante.ro.
