Swiss Lab Expands Spray-On DNA Tech to Diamonds

(IDEX Online) - A Swiss gem-lab company is expanding its spray-on DNA-based technology, currently used on emeralds, to polished melee diamonds.

Provenance Proof, an independent subsidiary of Gubelin Gem Lab, says it has begun using synthetic-DNA nanoparticles to mark polished melee diamonds supplied by KGK Suisse, the Swiss sales and service arm of the global KGK Group.

Gubelin managing director Daniel Nyfeler presented the technology at the 41st World Diamond Congress in Singapore last month.

Particles with a unique synthetic DNA sequence are applied to a gemstone or diamond, carrying details of mine of origin, mining period, and country of manufacture.

The physical tracers are invisible to the naked eye and optical microscopes, but can be detected using equipment in the lab.

The physical tracer is intended to make substitution, mixing and unsupported provenance claims more difficult.

The technology is already used commercially on selected emeralds from Gemfields.

Diamonds present a more difficult application because rough stones may undergo hydrofluoric-acid cleaning, or "deep boiling," which can damage the protective material around the DNA.

Cutting and polishing can also remove particles applied too early. For that reason, the current diamond model focuses mainly on polished melee that are sorted and processed in large parcels.

Pic, courtesy Provenance Proof, shows the physical tracers used to identify emeralds.