• HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • NEWS
    • NEWS
    • GUEST ARTICLES
  • PUBLICATIONS
    • ENGLISH
      • LATEST ISSUE
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • BOOKS
      • DEMYSTIFYING RETAIL
  • BUSINESS DELEGATIONS
  • DESIGN GALLERY
  • UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
    • DOMESTIC
    • OVERSEAS
  • DIRECTORY
    • MANUFACTURER LIST
    • RETAILERS LIST
  • CONTACT US
 

GIA plans big forays in diamond tracking via new initiatives

30-06-2017   14:5 PM

AOJ E-NEWS: GIA is investing and taking interest in getting techniques or initiatives which help in tracking diamonds. GIA’s Vice President of Lab Research Matt Crimmin recently outlined two projects that the grading non-profit is piloting with precisely that goal in mind.

These initiatives, which the GIA says could change the way diamonds are sold and monitored, are making the laboratory an unlikely frontrunner not only in diamond-grading, but in the drive to keep better track of diamonds and to tell their stories.

Adopting RFID Technology

In the first of those projects, the GIA is using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to help manufacturers manage their inventory, including the use of a smart-card grading report to make it easier to access a diamond’s information.

Under the program, the lab provides participating manufacturers with RFID tags to attach to the diamonds’ parcel paper before they send the stones for grading. The technology has integrated light-emitting diodes (LEDs), so the diamonds’ RFID tags light up when accessed, making it simpler for the manufacturer to locate a given stone among thousands. This method of communicating with inventory offers the user “significant operational time saving,” explains Crimmin.

Having started in late 2014 with five manufacturers on board, the GIA is now working with approximately 30 companies on the program and has opened it for others to join.

The RFID system comes in handy when dealing with large volumes of diamonds, as it is more than 10 times faster than the conventional barcode-scanning method, Crimmin said. It’s also less prone to error, since the tag is readable even if the parcel is not in the reader’s line of sight.

Additionally, manufacturers can distribute the tags to their clients so that monitoring can continue further along the pipeline. The GIA ultimately envisions implementing the program for all diamonds that pass through its grading system, which could potentially result in a single database for everyone’s inventory.


Tracing from Mine to Market

The second of the two pilot projects is the mines-to-market (M2M) program that the GIA presented in Las Vegas. GIA scientists have developed the ability to link a polished diamond with the original rough by assessing the stone at various stages of production. Among other things, this opens up strong marketing opportunities for jewelry retailers who want to differentiate themselves, according to Crimmin.

For the pilot, the GIA is working with Russian miner Alrosa, which provides the lab with rough for evaluation before it goes onto the market. The GIA is also in talks with Petra Diamonds, Trans Hex and Botswana’s Okavango Diamond Company about having them joining the initiative.

When it receives the rough from Alrosa, the GIA creates a file — or “digital fingerprint” — for each diamond. The GIA then returns the stones to Alrosa, which supplies them to its manufacturer clients. The manufacturers participating in the program need to keep a record of the diamonds through the cutting process so they can reference the polished coming from those pieces of rough when the stones eventually go to the GIA for grading, Crimmin explains.

“If we evaluate the rough diamond and then the polished that came from that piece of rough, we can confirm a linkage between the two,” he says.

The GIA also needs to ensure that the rough is untouched before it does the evaluation, so it can guarantee the validity of the source. That authenticity is what lets retailers leverage the diamonds’ story further along the supply chain when selling to consumers.

Telling the Story

With that in mind, the GIA has created a consumer-focused mobile application that uses these digital fingerprints to tell the story of the diamond’s journey through the pipeline.
When the jeweler shares a diamond with the consumer on the app, it brings up not only the GIA grading report, but also the provenance of the piece. Scrolling through the app sections, users can find customized information about the mine where the stone was recovered, details on where it was cut and polished, generic explanations about the formation and discovery of diamonds, and — most importantly, according to Crimmin — the retailer’s back story and services.

The app also allows consumers to upload their own videos and pictures relating to the diamond, showing, for example, the gift-giving moment or the relationship that the stone represents. Retailers can even package the information in a hard-bound book for the buyer.

The GIA is relying on retailers to use the app to push the storytelling concept. After all, Crimmin says, they have the most to gain from doing so, since they’re the ones that need to do the work selling.

“Too often, the jeweler forgets to tell the story,” he remarks. “There’s a need to tell the story, and this [app] is designed to make the consumer a hero.”

But it also requires a coordinated effort across the pipeline, since the traceability component needs the participation of miners, manufacturers and jewelers. The GIA believes it is well-positioned to coordinate that effort.

“This fits well with our overall mission to protect the consumer trust in gems and jewelry,” says Crimmin. “It not only gives confidence about the origin of the diamond, but it gives consumers a better experience in buying the jewelry, and hopefully gives them confidence to keep coming back to buy more.”

Courtesy- Rapaport

Share : 

GJC held a press conference to brief the salient features of the upcoming GJS B2B Show at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai from 30th Sept to 3rd October 2023

27-09-2023   17:30 PM

GJC’s renowned India Gems and Jewellery Show caters to jewellers’ demands ahead of the upcoming festive season. GJS Conducted the media meet on 27th September 2023 at JIO Convention center, Mumbai. Strateg...

Read More

Tanishq relaunched ts grand store in Bengaluru

27-09-2023   14:25 PM

Tanishq has expanded its retail footprint in Jayanagar, Bengaluru with the re-launch of its grand store today. The store was inaugurated by Bhaskar Bhat, Director, Tata Sons Private Limited and Ajoy Chawla, CE...

Read More

The era of new age weddings modern jewellery for women and men by Harit Zaveri Jewellers

27-09-2023   14:20 PM

Ahmedabad-based Harit Zaveri Jewellers celebrate this “Era Of New Age Weddings”, that reflects evolving tastes and preferences of modern couples. With this collection, Harit Zaveri Jewellers have not only pres...

Read More

Janhvi Kapoor inaugurates Kalyan Jewellers’ 3rd showroom Bhubaneswar

27-09-2023   14:15 PM

Kalyan Jewellers, launched its new showroom at Master Canteen in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The showroom was inaugurated by Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor in presence of Kalyan Jewellers’ CEO Sanjay Raghuraman. This i...

Read More

Introducing 'Mirage': A Celestial Masterpiece by GLOW

27-09-2023   14:10 PM

GLOW by Kirtilals, a name synonymous with elegance and innovation in the Indian diamond jewellery landscape, is proud to announce the launch of its exquisite collection, 'Mirage.' This collection is a tribute...

Read More

Tanishq opens door to its 5th store in Ahmedabad

27-09-2023   14:5 PM

Tanishq, has launched its brand new store in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The brand new store was inaugurated by Garima Maheshwari, Head of Design, Tanishq and Vishal Vyas, Regional Business Manager, West, Titan Compan...

Read More

Live Spot Gold

GOLD PRICE

Design Gallery

Videos

View More Videos
GJS - Virtual T. .
AOJ Exclusive I. .
Auspicious Aksh. .
Video Snippets. .

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS - DOMESTIC

Jaipur Jewellery Show

December 19-22-2020 | Jaipur

View More Domestic Events

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS - OVERSEAS

Baselworld

January 28-2-2021 | Basel, Switzerland

View More Overseas Events

FOLLOW US ON
September 2023  English Edition
Subscribe Now Print Edition
Subscribe Now Digital Edition

© 2016 AOJ Media Pvt Ltd - All Rights Reserved. | Developed by Creed Global Tech.    T & C   Privacy Policy 

Top
Close