Gemmological services and technology developer and provider Diamond Services will in September unveil a mini Raman Spectrometer that can accurately detect high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition lab-grown diamonds and HPHT colour-treated diamonds.

“The mini Raman Spectrometer is designed to provide diamond and jewellery companies with a technological capability that, thus far, has typically been the exclusive domain of well-equipped gem laboratories,” says Diamond Services founder and president Joseph Kuzi.

He tells Mining Weekly that the desktop-sized device, which has been designed specifically for operation by nontechnical personnel in the diamond sector, can test mounted and nonmounted stones, and deliver results in a format that is easy to read and interpret.

“To date, diamond and jewellery companies have had to rely on methods that screen out stones that are likely to be treated or synthetic, but they then need to refer them to properly equipped laboratories for definitive testing. The mini Raman Spectrometer will enable them to conclusively identify such goods on the spot,” explains Kuzi.

He says similarly capable nonportable systems employ two lasers with different wavelengths, while the mini Raman Spectrometer tests for synthetic diamonds and HPHT-treated diamonds using a single laser.

The device will cost up to 90% less than the equivalent Raman Spectrometer systems used by the leading gem laboratories, Kuzi adds.

“With a growing number of undisclosed treated and synthetic diamonds on the market, it is an affordable device that enables one to make rapid business decisions without increasing the level of risk.”

The mini Raman Spectrometer will be demonstrated to the public for the first time at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair next month. Kuzi adds that the device is still undergoing final testing.

He notes, however, that 40 units have been ordered by diamond laboratories in China, and that the mini Raman Spectrometer will also be sold worldwide from Diamond Services’ offices, in Hong Kong, with some interest also expressed in South Africa.

Diamond Services was established in 2012 in Hong Kong. The company is committed to launching one new synthetic- diamond detection device a year.

The company introduced the DiamaPen – a hand-held laser device that can detect colour synthetic diamonds – in 2013, and the DiamaTest – a system that screens loose and colourless diamonds for synthetics – in 2014.