Properties of the Natural and CVD Synthetic Diamonds for Identification

Recently, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) synthetic diamonds have been introduced to the jewelry gem market, as CVD technology has been making considerable advances. Unfortunately, CVD diamonds are not distinguishable from natural diamonds when using the conventional gemological characterization method. Therefore, we need to develop a new identification method that is non-destructive, fast, and inexpensive. In our study, we employed optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, including Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), UV-VIS-NIR, photoluminescence (PL), micro Raman, and cathodoluminescent (CL) spectroscopy, to determine the differences between a natural diamond (0.30 cts) and a CVD diamond (0.43 cts). The identification of a CVD diamond was difficult when using standard gemological techniques, UV-VIS-NIR, or micro-Raman spectroscopy. However, a CVD diamond could be identified using a FT-IR by the Type II peaks. In addition, we identified a CVD diamond conclusively with the uneven UV fluorescent local bands, additional satellite PL peaks, longer phosphorescence life time, and uneven streaks in the CL images. Our results suggest that using FT-IR combined with UV fluorescent images, PL, and CL analysis might be an appropriate method for identifying CVD diamonds.