Market
Synthetic detection checks are now standard at the trade counter
Handheld screening devices that flag lab-grown and simulant stones have become routine at the wholesale counter, not just at grading labs, as mixed parcels of natural and lab-grown goods circulate more widely.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
Handheld screening devices that flag lab-grown and simulant stones have moved from the grading lab to the wholesale counter.
- As natural and lab-grown stones trade side by side in the same parcels more often, dealers are screening loose goods before they buy rather than relying solely on paperwork.
- The devices used at counter level are a first-pass screen, not a full grading test — a positive result still goes to a lab for confirmation before it changes hands as a natural stone.
- The practice has been most visible in melee lots, where mixed natural and lab-grown parcels are hardest to sort by eye.
For buyers, this is a reassurance rather than a warning: every stone we sell is independently graded, and loose melee is screened before it goes into any parcel we assemble. If you are buying elsewhere and want a second opinion on a lot, our trade desk can advise on what documentation to ask for.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.