Most CVD lab-grown diamonds cannot be identified using standard gem-testing equipment and must be submitted to a laboratory for identification. What must be done to verify their identity?

• A. Identify with standard gem-testing equipment
• B. Submit to a laboratory for identification
• C. Assume it's natural if it passes some tests
• D. No laboratory verification is ever required

Answer: (B)

When identifying CVD lab-grown diamonds, standard gem-testing tools often cannot provide a definitive answer because these stones can closely mimic natural diamonds in many basic tests. The definitive verification relies on specialized laboratory analysis that can detect subtle growth features and impurity signatures unique to synthetic origins. A gemological lab uses advanced techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, infrared analysis, and growth-layer examination (often with instruments like DiamondView) to reveal characteristics that distinguish CVD from natural diamonds. Because these methods and the expertise to interpret them are not available in typical handheld tests, the only reliable way to verify identity is to submit the stone to a professional laboratory for identification and certification.