After almost three years since the launch of Automated Melee Screening (AMS) device, the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), a De Beers Group of Companies subsidiary, unveiled an upgraded version of the machine, AMS2, on 1 March 2017 at Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show.
According to IIDGR, with some key areas being upgraded, AMS2 provides diamantaires with a more efficient and cost-effective diamond verification technology solution for melees. The machine has the ability to process smaller sizes and all shapes of polished diamonds. It allows screening of round brilliant stones ranging from 0.33 to 20 points, and fancy shapes between one and 20 points. In terms of productivity, it can handle 3,600 colourless or near colourless stones per hour, 10 times faster than its predecessor. Now sold for US$45,000 (US$55,000 for the first generation), AMS2 is about 20 percent cheaper.
AMS2 also has lower referral rate which is considered one of the crucial upgrades. Jonathan Kendall, president of IIDGR said that the referral rate on the old version was five percent, and on some of the competitive machines in the market, it’s around eight percent. For AMS2, it is less than 0.5 percent and probably near 0.03 percent. “Its industry-leading low referral rate has significant economic benefits to users, greatly reducing the need for additional and costly secondary testing,” he stated.
Kendall told Hong Kong Jewellery that the driving force behind the launch of AMS2 is to keep abreast of the market development, and make sure that everyone in the market has a testing tool for their needs. He emphasised: “The key thing is that as a member of the industry, we do not want to see even one ring sold inappropriately because confidence is all that we care for. Our industry lives on image, dreams and confidence.”
The broad choice of diamond testing devices available on the market makes it difficult for customers to choose the right one for their specific needs. In view of this, according to Rapaport, the Diamond Producers Association (DPA) announced in February 2017 that they plan to audit diamond detectors and publish the results to the trade. Jean-Marc Lieberherr, CEO of DPA said: “This is a DPA initiative that responds to an obvious need of the trade, and aims to do it in a concerted and efficient manner without duplication of work.”
“It is the best way for the industry to have an independent body scrutinising diamond screening devices,” Jonathan Kendall commented on DPA’s initiative. According to him, some equipment on the market can only identify a certain type of synthetics; and unfortunately, laboratories would not recommend or evaluate equipment for consumers’ reference. Therefore, DPA’s measure is essential for consumers and the industry as a whole.
Apart from developing testing equipment, IIDGR keeps expanding its ongoing diamond grading business. Since February 2016, they have launched diamond grading services in Far East, the Middle East, India, Europe, and Greater China. In February 2017, the company announced its first retail partnership in Asia for its generic polished diamond grading services with the Soo Kee Group in Singapore for the retailer’s bridal brand Love & Co, and has partnered with Hong Kong-based jeweller Luk Fook in March to produce co-branded diamond reports. In total, IIDGR has set up about seven major diamond grading programmes in Greater China. Kendall stated: “The grading services bring differentiation to the marketplace which is what the industry needs.”
For short-term plans after the launch of AMS2, IIDGR will unveil other new detection equipment, intensify the grading services, and expand the melee testing services, said Jonathan Kendall. For education and training, in addition to the synthetic diamond course launched in March 2017, the institute plans to offer more educational programmes to industry practitioners and consumers, including diamond foundation courses and more in-depth diamond grading courses. “What we are doing is developing a new training organisation, bringing back the excitement to the diamond world,” he concluded.
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