1.1 Definitions

1.1.1. DIAMOND OR NATURAL DIAMOND

A diamond or a natural diamond is a natural mineral of crystallized carbon in a cubic structure with a Mohs' scale hardness of 10, a specific gravity of +/- 3.52 g/cm3 and a refractive index of 2.42.
The denomination “diamond” or “natural diamond” may not be used as such to describe any other product, not even to indicate items partly consisting of diamond or natural diamond, such as doublets.
The denomination “diamond” without further specification always implies “natural diamond”. These two terms are equivalent and carry the same meaning.

1.1.2. TREATED DIAMOND

A treated diamond is a diamond/natural diamond that has been subjected to a treatment/enhancement-process, other than cutting, polishing and c1eaning, intended or not intended to possibly change the diamond’s appearance or other properties.
A non permanent treatment/enhancement-process may be:

  • Filling
  • Coating
  • Any other non permanent physical or chemical process
  • Any combination of the above mentioned treatments/enhancements-processes

A permanent treatment/enhancement-process may be:

  • Irradiation
  • Heating
  • High pressure/high temperature heating (HPHT)
  • Any other permanent physical or chemical process
  • Any combination of the above mentioned treatments/enhancements-processes

1.1.3. SYNTHETIC DIAMOND

A laboratory-created/laboratory-grown/man-made/synthetic diamond is a fully or partly man-made /artificial product that has the same chemical composition, crystal structure, optical and physical properties as a diamond/natural diamond.

For the purpose of this document the term synthetic diamond equals the terms laboratory-created/ laboratory-grown/man-made/synthetic diamond.

1.1.4. TREATED SYNTHETIC DIAMOND

A treated Synthetic diamond is a Synthetic diamond that has been subjected to further treatment/enhancement-process, other than growing, cutting, polishing and c1eaning intended or not intended to possibly change the synthetic diamond's appearance or other properties.

A non permanent treatment/enhancement-process may be:

  • Filling
  • Coating
  • Any other non permanent physical or chemical process
  • Any combination of the above mentioned treatments/enhancements-processes

A permanent treatment/enhancement-process may be:

  • Irradiation
  • Heating
  • High pressure/high temperature heating (HPHT)
  • Any other permanent physical or chemical process
  • Any combination of the above mentioned treatments/enhancements-processes

1.1.5. SIMULANT

A simulant is a product or a material that may be used with the intention to simulate a diamond or a diamond's appearance, for example cubic zirconia.
A simulant is a product or a material that does not have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, optical or physical properties as a “diamond” or a “natural diamond”.
The word “diamond” may not be used to describe or disclose such a stone, not even in combination with other words.

1.1.6. LASER DRILLING

Diamonds subjected to laser drilling can be graded as such but must always be characterized as "laser drilled".