Working at the Nano Level with Gemstones
Innovation & Ingenuity - Series 3
Innovative research in the area of abrasion resistant, Nano crystalline coatings on gem materials and other substrates for the purpose of enhancing the physical and optical properties has found a great application in the development of diamond simulates. Using state-of-the-art technology, the properties of CZ’s, Moissanite, and other gemstones have been significantly enhanced to provide higher brilliance & light return making them have the optical appearance of diamond while also endowing them with improved physical properties. These technologies enhance the gemstones in ways that are truly amazing, adding meaningful value through to the retail sale. How does this occur? Well that is where it gets interesting.
There are two primary Nano crystalline treatments that offer many of the same benefits but use different crystalline technologies to achieve extraordinary results. You will be surprised to learn what those differences are.
Using a CZ as our examples the first treatment is a cost effective, unique, conformal pinhole-free Nano crystalline treatment that encapsulates the stone. The result is a CZ offering increased brilliance and light return, code named WHITEFIRE. When you compare the results to a diamond where the refractive index(RI) of a diamond is 2.42, the refractive index of the treated CZ is boosted to 2.63. Working in unison, the unique conformal Nano crystalline treatment all around the gem also provides excellent UV-blocking capability, mainly through UV absorption, a fancy way of saying the CZ will never dull. Unlike standard untreated cubic zirconia that are used today in some of the world’s biggest brands, the brilliance, luster and color of the treated CZ is preserved for a lifetime under normal use. As if that is not enough the Nano crystalline treatment makes the gemstone resistant to all chemicals including strong acids and can be wax set and exposed to high temperatures similar to how cubic zirconia is handled today without any special handling requirement. How tough is this super CZ? The nano crystalline skin is pinhole-free and conformal, it will never wear- off, providing a lifetime of protection. Oh yes, the CZ can be set in fine silver and gold jewelry and subsequently rhodium plated as well. However, if you found this interesting the second treatment technology will amaze.
?The second innovative treatment is a diamond-crystalline nanotechnology, code named DIAMANTINE, that actually uses nanoparticles of diamond to achieve the same performance as the original crystalline process with a notable exception. This nanotechnology process imparts a diamond-ceramic matrix, conformally over all of the surface of the gemstone. (This version has all the unique properties of the WHITEFIRE treatment in addition to Nano crystalline diamond for that unique appeal).
?This technology has the option to be further enhanced to even grow a diamond skin on the gem surface without the ceramic matrix to produce the ultimate diamond coated gem, which can be detected and identified using standard tools of the diamond industry. This technology is very unique as it elevates a CZ to the ultimate next level, what you touch and feel is pure diamond at a cost that is a mere fraction of lab grown diamond (LGD). As the market demand for LGD and diamond stimulant grows this would be the ultimate offering. The technology is patented worldwide and is available to be exploited by a company or companies who have the vision to push the boundaries of all things lab grown. This new technology goes beyond creating the ultimate CZ, as it can be used to protect precious soft gemstones like emeralds, tanzanites etc and even lucrative applications in the biomedical and other fields.
领英推荐
?If you want to build additional value into your CZ product, reignite your customer base and even reduce returns, you may want to take a closer look at these technologies.
White papers available upon request