mean that testing can be done by someone with no gemology training. The company also markets the D-Screen Plus, which works on colorless or near-colorless HPHT and CVD lab-grown diamonds in all shapes and sizes from 0.003 to 10 carats (the machine can screen larger stones and fancy shapes with some mechanical add-ons). While it is pri- marily aimed at loose stones, D-Screen Plus can also scan set jewelry as long as the diamonds are visible. THE MELEE OVER MELEE While retailers can check larger stones and small amounts of me- lee, checking large quantities of tiny stones requires more special- ized equipment. For self-testing melee, HRD Antwerp has the M-Screen. This su- per-fast, automated screening device checks round, brilliant diamonds from 0.5 points to 20 points to identify potential lab-grown diamonds, potential HPHT color-enhanced stones, and diamond simulants. Developed by WTOCD, the Ant- werp Scientific Research Centre for Diamonds, it feeds, screens and sorts at least three diamonds per second, or 11,000 diamonds an hour. Depending on the size of the stones and batch, the machine can sort an astounding 15,000 diamonds an hour. Earlier this year, IIDGR launched the AMS2, the second generation of its automated melee screening machine. It is up to 10 times faster than the company’s first melee screening machine and has a substantially reduced referral rate.This minimizes the need for additional and expen- sive secondary testing.With a price tag of $45,000, it is primarily for those involved in polished diamond wholesale rather than retailers. Retailers who deal in large amounts of melee can send parcels to the labs to be tested if they have suspicions about what they are buying. And if their parcel gets flagged as containing lab-grown diamonds, they should not be surprised. Earlier this year, for example, the GIA lab in Mumbai reported Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All There is no “one-size-fits- all” solution for lab-grown diamond detection. The various machines perform different roles using different functions and a variety of techniques. These include spectroscopy (the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation) and UV light sources. Name Creator Size, Shape and Color Capabilities D-Secure PLUS DRC Techno Any shape diamonds from 0.003 carats to 10 carats colorless or near colorless. Larger diamonds can be checked with add-ons. Can also be used on set jewelry as long as the diamonds are clearly visible. Scans rough diamonds. J-Secure PLUS DRC Techno 0.003-10-carat diamonds mounted in jewelry, primarily D-K color. Any shape, including rough stones. GIA iD100 (Available late 2017) GIA From 0.005 carats (approximately) loose or mounted. D-Screen HRD Antwerp All polished diamonds 0.2-10 carats, D-J colors. M-Screen HRD Antwerp Round brilliant 0.005-0.2 carats, D-J color. AMS2 IIDGR Round brilliant 0.0033-0.2 carats; fancy shapes 0.01-0.2 carats. All color ranges. PhosView IIDGR Loose colorless or near-colorless round brilliant diamonds 0.03-1 carats and some set jewelry pieces. SYNTHdetect IIDGR Multiple stones set in jewelry. The Gemological Institute of America recently launched a Melee Analysis Service, a fully automated system that analyzes and sorts diamonds ranging from 0.005 carats to 0.25 carats. It separates natural, untreated diamonds from simulants and potentially lab-grown or treated diamonds, sorts by color range and then returns the stones in a sealed package, as seen here. 48 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2017