Alrosa Scanner Takes Stab at Synthetics

RAPAPORT... Alrosa has launched a device that can identify both syntheticdiamonds and other imitations, the miner said Wednesday. The Alrosa Diamond Inspector analyzes individual stones, aswell as mounted jewelry, and can distinguish natural polished diamonds from treatedstones, synthetics, and simulants such as cubic zirconia and moissanite. "One of the main competitive advantages...is the use of threeoptical methods, which give high assessment reliability," said VladimirSklyaruk, general director of the Diamond Scientific and Technological Center, thecompany in charge of the production and sale of the device. The Russia-based miner developed the detector together withthe Federal State Budgetary Institution Technological Institute for Superhardand Novel Carbon Materials (TISNCM). It will cost $9,900 - less than other companiescharge for such devices, according to Sklyaruk. Alrosa has expressed interest in creating a syntheticscreening machine for a while. The scanner was first demonstrated earlier thisweek at a meeting of the Public Expert Board at the Assay Chamber of Russia. Several organizations have launched equipment for detecting lab-grown stones,including De Beers and the Gemologicial Institute of America (GIA).