CVD Diamond Over 34 Carats

Figure 1. This 34.59 ct CVD-grown diamond (24.94 × 13.95 × 9.39 mm), produced by Ethereal Green Diamond in India, is the largest GIA has tested. Photo by Johnny (Chak Wan) Leung.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth technology has advanced significantly over the last two decades. In this study, we report on the largest CVD gem diamond GIA has encountered, recently tested in the Hong Kong laboratory. This emerald-cut diamond weighing 34.59 ct and measuring 24.94 × 13.95 × 9.39 mm (figure 1) was produced by Ethereal Green Diamond in India. It had G color and VS₂ clarity. Small black graphite inclusions were found. Some stood alone inside the body, while others formed clusters of clouds located between growth layers. Microscopic observation showed a weak oily or wavy graining when looking through the table facet, a feature sometimes seen in CVD gem diamonds. It tends to appear more prominently in CVD diamonds with high amounts of strain and a strong birefringence pattern when viewed through crossed polarizers (figure 2).

Figure 2. A high amount of strain and a strong birefringence pattern were observed using crossed polarizers. Photomicrograph by Ka Wing Tam; field of view 15.92 mm.

Infrared absorption spectroscopy revealed no absorption related to nitrogen, which is consistent with type IIa diamond. However, a weak absorption related to boron (an absorption peak at ~2800 cm^–1) was detected, corresponding to around 2 ppb of boron impurity. This trace amount of boron was very likely due to contamination during diamond growth. There are different opinions on whether this trace contamination should be considered in diamond type classification.

Figure 3. Left: The PL spectrum with 514 nm laser excitation under liquid nitrogen temperature showed features of treated CVD diamond. Right: The PL spectrum with 457 nm laser excitation under liquid nitrogen temperature recorded a strong H3 defect and a negligible 467.6 nm center.

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was performed at liquid nitrogen temperature (–196°C) with several laser excitations (figure 3). In addition to strong emissions from NV⁰ and NV^– centers at 575 nm and 637 nm, respectively, moderately strong doublet emissions from SiV^– at 736.6 and 736.9 nm were recorded. A weak emission at 946.4 nm, possibly from the SiV⁰ defect, was also observed. Other important emission features included a strong emission from the H3 defect at 503.2 nm and a weak emission band with peaks at 566.0, 566.7, and 567.7 nm. The emission at 467.6 nm, which is common in as-grown CVD diamonds, was reduced by high-temperature treatment. These observations and spectroscopic features confirmed that this CVD diamond was annealed under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) to improve its color appearance. In contrast, no post-growth color treatment was applied to the 16.41 ct CVD lab-grown diamond tested a year earlier in the New York laboratory (W. Wang et al., “New record size for CVD laboratory-grown diamond,” GIA Research News, January 27, 2022).

Figure 4. DiamondView imaging of the 34 ct CVD diamond revealed at least eight growth steps. Image by Ka Wing Tam.

DiamondView fluorescence imaging showed green and blue colors with a banded pattern. Typical CVD growth striations were clearly visible (figure 4). Green fluorescence was from the H3 defect, produced during HPHT annealing. This banded structure revealed at least eight growth steps to achieve sufficient depth for this large diamond. Additionally, strong blue phosphorescence with similar banding was detected in the DiamondView.

This very large CVD diamond represents a milestone in CVD growth. Mined diamonds with similar size and quality are very rare. We will continue monitoring developments in gem diamond growth technology to ensure all diamonds are properly identified in GIA laboratories.