There are currently two known methods for growing gem-quality diamonds: the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method and the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. The way a diamond crystal grows leaves characteristics that can usually be detected with careful examination. The purpose of this book is to explain the different methods used to grow diamonds, and to teach jewelers and gemologists the characteristic to look for when examining different types of laboratory-grown diamonds with standard gemological equipment. In some cases, especially CVD-grown near-colorless laboratory-grown and melee laboratory-grown diamonds set in jewelry, identification requires advanced testing with state-of-the-art portable equipment or by gemological laboratories. These methods are partially explained in this book.
About the Authors
Dusan Simic, BSc, FGG, SGC
Dusan Simic (Analytical Gemology and Jewelry, www.agandj.com) is a research gemologist with over 30 years' experience in the gemology and jewelry trade. After graduating from the University of Belgrade in Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, Simic pursued his interest in gemology. His training stint in Italy and Switzerland helped him become a high-end jeweler and diamond setter in Germany. In 1989, Simic went on to earn his FGG diploma from Deutsche Gemmologische Gesellschaft in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. After numerous commercial and research trips to gem cutting centers and mines around the world, he entered the international gemology industry in 1990. In 2004 he received the Scientific Gemologist Certificate (SGC) in Advanced Instruments from the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF in Switzerland.
Simic's intense research in identification projects on HPHT treatments, synthetic diamonds, multi-step treatments of diamonds, and radiation and annealing processes as well as his technical know-how of diamond analytical instruments have been well appreciated in the gems and jewelry industry. He has been a regular contributor to trade and gemology magazines and had presented reports at a number of prestigious research conferences.
Dusan was also featured in the documentary "Origin Stories", a 90-minute film on synthetic diamonds and the diamond industry.
He is highly skilled and experienced in a unique combination of three fields; Jewelry Production, Gemology, and Diamond Treatments/Production of undisclosed mixing of synthetic diamonds.
Simic holds a USPTO Patent "Synthetic Diamond Labeling and Identification System and Method", number 10,088,432; October 2, 2018.
Branko Deljanin, BSc, GG, FGA, DGA, DUG
Branko Deljanin is President and Head Gemologist at CGL Canadian Gemlab, and Director of Gemmological Research Industries Inc., Vancouver (Canada). He is a research gemologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gemstones and a gemology instructor in 17 countries across 4 continents. Since 1999, when he first detected coloured HPHT-enhanced diamonds in the market, he has spent a great deal of time doing research on HPHT treatments of natural diamonds, ID of laboratory-grown diamonds (HPHT and CVD), and provenance of natural pink diamonds. In 2000, Branko issued the first worldwide grading certificates for Synthetic Diamonds (Russian origin) in New York. In 2001 he earned his Advanced Gemology Diploma (DUG) from the University of Nantes in France, on "Identification of HPHT-treated Diamonds". In 2004, 2005, and 2006, he was a finalist for the AGA ;Antonio Bonnano Award for Excellence in Gemology'; for his contribution to the gemology world as researcher and educator.
Internationally recognized as a diamond authority, Branko has led on-site research programs on gems and colored diamonds in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia and Australia, and has managed many projects with international teams. Besides being a regular contributor to trade and gemology magazines, he has also presented reports at several research and gemological conferences, including the annual Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewelry Conference that he co-founded in 2015. He has been an invited speaker at gems and jewelry shows, events and conferences organized by AGTA, AGA, AIGS, AGIL, ASA, AGS, CIBJO, De Beers, DESEF, GIA, ICA, GIT, NAJA, and NCJV.
Branko teaches 'Intermediate & Advanced Gemology' programs on diamonds and gems at workshops, and via Practical Webinars at www.gemconference.com and www.brankogems.com.
