Research conducted at Ariel University, under the guidance of Dr. Yossi Rabinovich as part of his doctoral studies, has introduced a groundbreaking method for distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds.
In recent years, two laboratory methods for growing diamonds have become increasingly popular, resulting in a significant rise in the presence of lab-grown diamonds in the market. Natural diamonds, which form deep within the Earth’s mantle at depths ranging from 75 to 150 miles and are later brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions, traditionally carry a higher market value and command much steeper prices.
The revolutionary study was supervised by Professor Haim Cohen from the Department of Chemical Sciences and Professors Yossi Pinhasi and Asher Yahalom from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. This research, funded by Israel's Innovation Authority through the Kamin program, aims to address the challenge of identifying diamonds using advanced technological methods.
The innovative approach focuses on differentiating natural diamonds from those created through the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) process, which simulates the extreme conditions found in the Earth’s mantle.
Rabinovich explains that the technique involves characterizing diamonds based on their spectral signatures within the microwave and millimeter-wave frequency ranges. A significant advantage of this method is that it can be applied to rough, unpolished diamonds - something that current methods struggle with.
Unlike conventional techniques, this new approach measures spectral signatures at gigahertz frequencies using a waveguide, offering a more cost-effective solution. Furthermore, it allows for diamond characterization before the stones are polished, offering a significant advancement over traditional methods.
* Ynet contributed to this article.
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