EGL USA gemmological laboratories has developed a new system for detecting synthetic diamonds set in jewellery, according to a press release. The Cross-Reference Identification System (CIS) consolidates and connects all the analytical instruments and techniques into one comprehensive cross-referencing tool for diamond research and identification. It uses advanced testing with a deep ultraviolet (UV) source, supported by XRF spectroscopy.%%The process is particularly valuable in testing small, mounted yellow diamonds (ranging in size from 0.01 to 0.06 carats), which are the most prevalent synthetics according to the reports. Prior to this new process, it was only possible to determine the synthetic origin of larger, unmounted yellow diamonds, using standard laboratory equipment such as a microscope, cross polarized filters and UV lamp, or advanced instruments such as UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy.%%EGL also said that a recent jewellery sample containing 26 small (0.02 carat) fancy vivid yellow diamonds, sent to it for grading, happened to contain a cubo-octahedral pattern, as well as the presence of metal catalysts, thus indicating that the diamonds were synthetic. Further CIS testing of the unmounted stones, on the client’s request, confirmed the initial findings that diamonds were not natural, EGL stated.