Diamond type
diamond classification system
Diamond type is a method of scientifically classifying diamonds by the level and type of their chemical impurities. Diamonds are separated into five types: Type IaA, Type IaB, Type Ib, Type IIa, and Type IIb. The impurities measured are at the atomic level within the crystal lattice of carbon atoms and so, unlike inclusions, require an infrared spectrometer to detect.
Different diamond types react in different ways to diamond enhancement techniques. Different types can coexist within a single stone; natural diamonds are often mixes of Type Ia and Ib, which can be determined by their infrared absorption spectrum, especially using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In this technique, the frequency-dependent absorption of a diamond sample is analzed as different impurities and impurity configurations show characteristic signatures.
Types of diamond
Type I
Type I diamonds, the most common class, contain nitrogen atoms as their main impurity, commonly at a concentration of 0.1%. Type I diamonds absorb in both the infrared and ultraviolet region, from 320 nm. They also have a characteristic fluorescence and visible absorption spectrum (see Optical properties of diamond).
Type Ia
Type Ia diamonds make up about 95% of all natural diamonds.
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