News Releases

For decades, much of the groundbreaking work on synthetic diamond characterization and identification has been published in GIA’s award-winning scientific journal, Gems & Gemology. Every article in the new 300-page book was originally published in G&G. The book also includes entries from G&G’s Lab Notes and Gem News sections, relevant editorials, and reports presented at the Institute’s 1991 and 1999 International Gemological Symposiums.

The articles are organized into five sections, each with introductions written by GIA Director of Research Dr. James E. Shigley, who is also the book's editor and will serve as series editor. He wrote many of the original reports as well as the preface, which gives a general historical overview of synthetic diamonds – from the time they were first introduced by General Electric Co. (GE) for industrial use in the mid-1950s, to that company’s 1970 announcement of a gem-quality one-carat synthetic diamond, to the debut of synthetics in the market.

The most recent articles provide the latest information on high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthetic diamonds, their production and identifying characteristics. The two wall charts cover the separation of HPHT-grown synthetic diamonds from their natural counterparts, and characterization of the HPHT-grown material in the many colors that are now available.

“This will be a very useful source of information for gemologists, diamantaires, and others who are interested in this subject,” Shigley said. “Many of the earlier articles, such as those on the first GE gem-quality synthetics, are from G&G issues that are out of print. This book gives readers the opportunity to get the broad scope of gemological research on synthetic diamonds to date, all in one package.”

The idea for the book and series came in early 2004, soon after the Gemesis Corporation introduced its HPHT-grown yellow synthetic diamonds into the jewelry market and Apollo Diamond Inc. announced it would begin producing CVD synthetic diamonds on a commercial level, said G&G Editor-in-Chief Alice Keller.

“The technological advances represented by these new products made the possibility of gem-quality synthetic diamonds in the jewelry market a reality,” Keller said. “Recognizing the industry’s need to be prepared with the most comprehensive information, [GIA President] Bill Boyajian approached me with the idea for this book.”

The next volume in the series will focus on colored diamonds, under the editorship of GIA Laboratory Projects Officer John King. Several other important research topics, such as diamond treatments, corundum treatments and pearls, have been covered comprehensively in G&G and undoubtedly will be included in the series, said Thomas M. Moses, vice president of Identification and Research Services for GIA.

“While other compendiums have been published on various topics in gemology, to our knowledge there isn’t a similar series of original research publications on the scale that this series represents,” Moses said. “We believe this first installment will be of great value for the trade.”

Gems & Gemology in Review: Synthetic Diamonds is available for $49.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, visit the GIA Gem Instruments Bookstore by clicking here, or call 800-421-8161. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 760-603-4200. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .