The ALROSA Diamond Inspector, the first Russian portable instrument for diamond verification, showed high results in testing done as part of the Diamond Producers Association’s (DPA) ASSURE programme, the Russian miner said in a statement earlier this week.

It is the only portable device among those tested that uses three optical methods of analysis for identifying diamonds at once, ALROSA stated, adding that this, along with the ease of use and low cost in comparison with analog devices, make it the most suitable for retail shops, pawnshops, distributors, gemmological laboratories, jewellery manufacturers and others.

During the test, a total of almost 1,400 samples were checked using the device’s testing process, including natural I/II type diamonds, synthetic diamonds, among them samples unavailable on the market, which were grown by using the most advanced technologies, and non-diamond imitations (cubic zirconia, moissanites etc.).

Further, ALROSA’s inspector device was also graded on its functionality, and was put in the group of those with the broadest functionality.

The ASSURE programme gave the following results for the device:

Rating accuracy

For detecting natural diamonds, accuracy of 96.4%; for referral of synthetic diamonds, 100%; for non-diamond imitations (simulants), it was the only device to achieve 100%.

Portability

The device’s dimensions are 15 * 25 * 10 cm and weight is 1.8 kg in a plastic case and 3.1 kg in a metal case.

Functionality

Testing of stones is carried out manually. An analysis of one stone takes 45 seconds, after which the instrument automatically interprets the results using a complex mathematical algorithm for spectral analysis and gives a ready answer on the screen. It can analyse both loose and mounted stones, and does not require gemmological knowledge.

Stone parameters

It can analyse natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds and non-diamond imitations (simulants) of any shape, in a size range from 0.03 to 10 carats and a colour range from D to J (colourless and near colourless). These ranges are the most frequent in retail jewellery, ALROSA said.

Price

Priced at US$ 5,799, which is significantly lower than the price of analogs.

Vladimir Sklyaruk, CEO of Diamond NTC LLC, the manufacturer of ALROSA Diamond Inspector said, “It can be easily installed even in small stores. Anyone is able to check the jewellery right on the spot and make sure that the diamond installed in it is not synthetic or fake, but natural. The device is a reliable tool for protecting the market of natural diamonds.”

Pic courtesy: ALROSA

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