Mintek: diamond fingerprinting project launched
http://www.mineweb.co.za/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page674?oid=78026&sn=Detail
Diamonds are a highly pure form of carbon, and their very strong lattice structure makes it difficult for the crystal to incorporate impurity atoms. Our research will be focusing on the trace element analysis of sub-microscopic fluid/solid inclusions that represent diamond-forming fluids, characteristic to the different source regions. We will combine this geochemical information with basic morphological, colour, inclusion and FTIR data and use multivariate statistical methods to try and assign unique characteristics to diamonds from particular deposits.
- Dr Sonal Rege-Delpech
Useful links:
www.mintek.co.za
www.sadb.co.za
www.kimberleyprocess.com
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) is capable of analyzing more than seventy elements at sub-parts-per-billion and lower levels. It's interesting to see the application of diamond fingerprinting via LA-ICP-MS by the industry in South Africa to link diamonds to their source and unique physical characteristics, particularly in the case of illicitly traded stones. Hats off to Mintek. Wake Up Call for the colored stone industry, really.
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