Gemmological Institute of India (GII) organized a discussion meet-cum-symposium on scientific developments in the identification of synthetic diamonds at Bharat Diamond Bourse on December 14, 2015. The event was a curtain raiser to DDES 2015.

The highlight of the day-long event was the presentations by different scientists from different labs and organisations from across the world. It was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Pranay Narvekar in which all the following speakers participated:

•          Tom. M. Moses, GIA
•          Jean-Pierre-Chalain, SSEF, Switzerland
•          Dr. Philip Martineau, De Beers Technologies, UK
•          Dr. Wuyi Wang, GIA
•          Dr. B.N. Jagatap, BARC, Mumbai
•          Dr. P.K. Pujari, BARC, Mumbai
•          Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, GGTL, Switzerland
•          Dr. Lu Taijin, Chief Researcher, NGTC, China
•          Ms. Ellen Barrie, Research Scientist, HRD, Antwerp
•          Dr. Jadaba Nanda Das, GSI, Kolkata

Prior to that, Bakul R. Mehta, Chairman, GII gave the welcome address stating that GII had given top priority to facing the challenges in detection of synthetic diamonds. He said that the industry, the gemmological laboratories and scientists are working together to distinguish and differentiate the synthetic diamonds from their natural counter parts. GII was also running the Diamond Detection and Resource Centre (DDRC) as part of this effort.

The symposium was inaugurated by Pravinshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC. He expressed his apprection to GII for organizing a purely scientific meeting for sharing and exchanging ideas on the contemporary issues related to laboratory grown diamonds.

Dr. M.D. Sastry, Head R & D Department, GII introduced the Symposium, saying that GII planned to create a platform for the participating scientists to interact and exchange their views/experiences and enhance the knowledge base for detection of synthetics.

Rajendrakumar A. Shah, Managing Trustee, GII gave a vote of thanks.