The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has provided a synthetic diamond detection machine to the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa at the Diamond Secretariat's office in Johannesburg. South Africa is the third country to receive this equipment developed by the GIA for the industry.

At the end of last year the GIA, in collaboration with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), announced that they would be making these machines available to the 28 WFDB member bourses at no cost in order to aid with the detection of synthetic diamonds.

Ernie Blom, Chairman of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa, received the machine on behalf of the club. Blom thanked the GIA for its assistance and assured them that the machinery will be put to good use. "This initiative forms part of the pro-active strategy employed by the diamond industry worldwide to ensure consumer confidence in diamonds," Blom commented.

During the reception process, Tom Moses, Senior Vice President of GIA Laboratory and Research, officially handed over the machine while Dr. Mike Breeding explained the development and technology that went into creating the product.�