GemRight Gemology

Screening natural diamonds from synthetics and imitations using DOVE Diamond Inspector

We received an item for gemological identification and grading through our mail-in programme. The sender has indicated that the colourless stones are natural diamonds. Advanced gemological testing using Raman and UV-Vis-NIR has concluded that the stones on this bracelet are cubic zirconia (CZ).

We then put this bracelet through our DOVE inspector to check for its accuracy and reactions. As expected, the stones did not give any reaction under DUV which we can quickly screen that they are not diamonds and likely imitations.

DM to enquire more about this DOVE diamond screening tool.

Throwback to the next leg of the expedition to China!

Certainly not missing out on the best chance to access the largest variety of pearls both fresh and saltwater! This part of Zhejiang used to have all the right conditions for pearl farming and hence, a trade centre was built to facilitate the selling of these pearls. Pearl farming has since expanded/shifted to many other parts of China but this trade centre has endured as a gathering point for anyone who wish to start a business in pearls. Even the suppliers to many international brands have a retail shopfront here too, albeit with more selective access. You can find a variety of price and quality points that will work for businesses of different stage.

This grew to house a rather complete ecosystem: from suppliers of pearls, to designers, finished jewellery, jewellery findings for pearls, logistics, accessories, imitation pearls, etc.

This expedition is happening again first half of November 2026. It is the opportunity to learn how to select pearls firsthand, learn about pearl treatments, expand into the lucrative pearl market, buy quality pearls for your business, talk to numerous new suppliers, plan new designs based on the latest farming technology.

DM to find out more!

Throwback to our visit to Sihui, Guangdong, one of the important cities in China to learn, experience and choose jadeite jade.

Many great carvers migrated southwards from Beijing area to Guangdong and Fujian after the end of the Qing dynasty. From wood to stone to, of course, jade. There is a market in this region also because of how Hong Kong grew into a bustling trading port at that time, of which ornamental carvings can be sold through Hong Kong. As trade grew, Hong Kong residents also grew in affluence and they themselves became a destination for high quality jadeite jewellery. Jadeite remains a revered gemstone with the Qing royalty’s love for them still fresh in mind.

So if you think such expeditions are just about buying for selling, that will be an understatement. There is so much to uncover during the time there together!

Our next jadeite expedition is in early Nov 2026. DM to enquire for an experience not to be missed.

Registration to the GemRight 2026 sourcing expeditions have begun!

Expeditions specially designed for businesses/potential businesses to seek out trustworthy suppliers and better cost management, learn more about the size / scale / working of the various Chinese markets. And learn gemological knowledge whenever we encounter learning moments.

End-August, China: jewellery, jewellery parts, pearls
Early-September, Thailand: gemstones
Early-November, China: jades, quartz crystals, jewellery, jewellery parts, etc

Featured in this video is what you will experience in the November trip.

All expeditions are guided by a professional gemologist with no commission received on any purchase. Our promise is a good balance of practical business discussions and gemological insights you can share with customers.

Please DM to enquire/register. Very limited vacancies to ensure sufficient attention to each participants.

Many enquiries came in hoping to know more about cases of non-standard reactions we can potentially see using DOVE.

So we thought we can share 2 cases here from a recent sample submitted for testing.

99% of natural diamonds show this:
Blue reaction under DUV, and
No phosphorescence after the DUV trigger is turned off.

Today we show 2 cases from the remaining 1% of the natural diamonds:

Case 1 -
Non-blue reaction under DUV, and
Bright reaction under long wave UV

Case 2 -
Blue reaction under DUV, and
Phosphorescence after DUV trigger is turned off, and
Bright reaction under long wave UV

With all the conditions met, we can conclude with high degree of confidence that the 2 diamonds are of natural origin.

In other words, using DOVE is able to help you, second-hand jeweller, gemstone dealer, pawnshops, bench jeweller, etc, quickly screen out natural from synthetic diamonds even for exception cases.

A Visit to the Hubei Provincial Museum (Wuhan, China, Nov 2025)

Our research work with the Gemmological Institute of China in 2025 coincided with important new exhibits displayed at the Museum. Our colleagues at GIC very kindly helped to organise a visit with the Museum’s curatorial team.

It is a testament to the cultural significance of gemstones, specifically rubies, sapphires, turquoise, nephrite, and gold had among the royalties and powerful. The exhibits also gave clues on the limits of their technologies at different points in time in dealing with precious metals and gemstones, and where we have regressed today.

These are also proof points to how early certain locales have started mining for precious stones.

We particularly enjoyed the discussions with the curatorial team with first-hand insights on how they planned for such an extensive collection, so much so that we have to do these recordings hurriedly.

Some clients ask how do we quickly screen out natural from synthetic diamonds?

Here is an actual process of how we do our first stage screening of melees that are submitted to our lab for testing using the DOVE Diamond Inspector.

It is scientifically grounded for accuracy, designed for easy everyday use, prices affordably for a variety of business needs.

Enquire with us for your device - suitable for watch dealers, gemstone dealers, bench jewellers, pawnshops, second hand jewellers and even collectors.