GIA and De Beers Speak on Synthetic Diamonds

GIA GemFest Basel: GIA and De Beers Speak on Synthetic Diamonds

Is there cause for concern? Join leading scientists from GIA and De Beers – Dr. Simon Lawson, head of technologies UK for De Beers and Dr. Wuyi Wang, director of research and development for GIA – as they take the stage together to present on the topic of synthetic diamonds during BASELWORLD 2015. Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer for GIA, will moderate.

Sunday, 22 March
17:00 – 18:00 Presentation
Reception to Follow

Montreal Auditorium, Congress Center Basel

Presentation Overview
The technology for creating synthetic diamond has improved significantly over the last decade and, as a result, gem-quality synthetic diamonds have appeared in greater quantities and received wider media exposure. Reports of synthetics being presented as natural, however, have raised concerns within the industry. GIA and De Beers have applied years of research to identify these laboratory-grown diamonds, resulting in devices and methods that effectively distinguish them from natural diamonds – from the smallest melee to stones of significant size. Leading research scientists from GIA and De Beers Technologies UK will speak about the latest research on synthetic diamonds and their identification, and how GIA and De Beers are working to meet the on-going challenges posed by potential non-disclosure. A question and answer session will immediately follow the moderated discussion.

About the Speakers
Dr. Simon Lawson, head of technologies UK for De Beers, has 20 years of experience with De Beers researching the growth and characterization of synthetic diamonds. He has held a key role at De Beers since 1995 in the strategy and development of the various De Beers verification instruments used to identify synthetic and treated diamonds. Prior to joining De Beers, Lawson was awarded a Royal Society Fellowship and spent four years at the National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials in Japan. He holds a doctorate in optical spectroscopy of diamond from King’s College in London and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

Dr. Wuyi Wang, director of research and development for GIA, joined GIA in 2000 and has more than 20 years of expertise in diamond geochemistry and the treatments of diamond and other gem material. He holds a doctorate in geology from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Beijing University in China. He is widely published in gemological and geological journals, and is recognized with numerous honors including the AGS Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award and Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award from Gems & Gemology.

Register today to reserve your seat!