Diamond Color Grading Using Spectroscopy
About Professor M. Bonner Denton
Dr. M. Bonner Denton is a Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Geological Sciences
at the University of Arizona. He and his research group have revolutionized many areas
of optical spectroscopy including atomic emission, molecular fluorescence,
phosphorescence, Raman andnumerous areas of imaging spectroscopy. He has
published approximately two hundred manuscripts in peer reviewed journals, and is the
recipient of numerous awards including the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award in
Spectrochemical Analysis, 2001, and the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award, 1998. Dr. Denton
is a Galileo Fellow, College of Science, University of Arizona 2004; Fellow, Royal Society of
Chemistry 2004; Fellow, Society for Applied Spectroscopy 2006; and Fellow, National
Association for the Advancement of Science 2006. He received his Bachelor of Science and
Bachelor of Arts degrees from Lamar State College of Technology, and his Ph.D. from the
University of Illinois.
About Professor Robert Downs
Dr. Robert T. Downs is the Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Arizona. He is a
member of the executive board of the International Mineralogical Association and a
member of the council of the Mineralogical Society of America. Dr. Downs is also a
member of the NASA Science Review Board for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory
mission, and director of the RRUFF Project. His interests include crystallography and
spectroscopy of minerals and gems and has a variety of projects funded by NASA, the
National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. He completed an
undergraduate degree in mathematics at the University of British Columbia, and a Ph.D.
from Virginia Tech, as well as postdoctoral studies at the Geophysical Laboratory of the
Carnegie Institution of Washington.
About the University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a premier, student-centered research institution. Established in
1885 as the first university in the Arizona Territory and the state's only land grant institution,
UA embraces its three-fold mission of excellence in teaching, research and public service.
Now in its second century of service to the state, UA has become one of the nation's top 20
public research institutions. It is one of only 62 members in the Association of American
Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities with exceptionally strong
research and academic programs. With world class faculty in fields as diverse as astronomy,
plant science, biomedical science, business, law, music and dance, The University of Arizona
offers a rewarding educational experience to all who choose to focus on excellence.
For more information please visit : http://www.arizona.edu/home/aboutua.php
Robert Downs uses his Raman spectrometer to study a stone mounted in a ring.
Analysis of Reflected Light Emitted from Polished Diamonds
To further the world’s knowledge of diamonds and their brilliance, WGI is supporting the
research of Professor Yeshaya Yarnitsky, an internationally renowned expert in diamond
research at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Many of the world’s diamond
polishing technologies were designed using principles developed byProfessor Yarnitsky.
In partnership with WGI, Professor Yarnitsky is analyzing the light reflected by polished
diamonds, seeking ways to define and gauge their brilliance and fire. Eventually, his findings
may pave the way toward new technologies that will benefit the industry and encourage
diamond cuts that are ever more pleasingto consumers’ eyes.
|
About Professor Yeshaya Yarnitsky
Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of
Technology, Yeshaya Yarnitsky has directed the institution’s Diamond Laboratory since 1973. He was
one of the founders of theIsrael Diamond and
Gemological Institutes in 1975 and isformer Chief
Scientist at the Technological Diamond Laboratory
at the Diamond Institute of Ramat Gan, Israel.
|
 |
His research interests include the development of technologies and machinery for
diamond and gem dressing, sintering of metallicbond diamond grinding wheels,
and the electrodeposition of tools and jewelry. He is the author of "The Diamond
and its Processing." Diamonds are not only beautiful, they are also useful. Due
to their hardness and other physical properties, diamonds are used in myriad
industrial applications such as cutting,drilling and grinding. Indeed, the vast
majority of mined diamonds is unsuitable for use as gemstones, and such diamonds
are used for industrial purposes. Synthetic diamonds are another important source
of industrial diamonds.
WGI is supporting the research of physicist Professor Alon Hoffman of the Technion’s
Chemistry Department in his work to improve the chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
method of synthetic diamond production.
|
 |
|
|
Synthetic Diamond Surface Analysis
|
About Professor Alon Hoffman
Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology,
Alon Hoffman has been on the Technion's faculty since 1992. His research interests include
the physico-chemical processes on surfaces, and the nucleation and growth processes of
poly- and nano-crystalline carbon thin films. He specializes in the properties and processes of
diamond surfaces, the deposition of diamond films, the interaction of hydrogen with compound
semiconductor surfaces, and amorphous polycrystalline silicon films. His research team has
published over 170 papers in scientific journals. A native of Argentina,
he is a graduate of the Technion.
About the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
In operation since 1924, the Technion is the oldest university in Israel. The university
offers degrees in science and engineering, and related fields such as architecture,
medicine, industrial management and education in an intellectually invigorating environment.
Great emphasis is also placed on its humanities and social science programs, the incorporation
of which take on ever-increasing importance in today’s multi-faceted workplace. The Technion
is committed to its role as the country’s top facility for science and technology, a role that is
necessary for the future of Israel and to all of humanity.
[subset of text on the Mission Page within About section of Technion site: http://www.technion.ac.il/]
To further the world’s knowledge of diamonds and their brilliance, WGI is supporting
the research of Professor Yeshaya Yarnitsky, an internationally renowned expert in
diamond research at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Many of the
world’s diamond polishing technologies were designed using principles developed by
Professor Yarnitsky. In partnership with WGI, Professor Yarnitsky is analyzing the
light reflected by polished diamonds, seeking ways to define and gauge their brilliance
and fire. Eventually, his findings may pave the way toward new technologies that will
benefit the industry and encourage diamond cuts that are ever more pleasing to
consumers’ eyes.
|