GJEPC and IIDGR collaborate to maintain consumer confidence in diamonds in India

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India and the International Institute of Diamond Grading and Research (IIDGR), a division of De Beers Group of Companies, agreed to cooperate and work together to maintain consumer confidence in diamonds and more specifically support the industry in the detection of synthetics.
As part of this initiative, the IIDGR will be providing their state-of-the-art Automated Melee Sorting (AMS) machines to the GJEPC.  The machines are expected to be available to the GJEPC within 3 months.  These machines will be operated by the Diamond Detection and Resource Centre (DDRC), which is part of the Gemmological Institute of India (GII), in the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) premises.  The DDRC is sponsored by the GJEPC and BDB.
At a symposium in Mumbai on 4/2/2014, Dr. P. Martineau of IIDGR traced the origin of natural diamond, the emergence of synthetic diamond, and eventually explained the uses of their three proprietary instruments which aid in the detection of synthetics and HPHT treatment - DiamondSure, DiamondView & DiamondPlus. These instruments will be available at the GJEPC by the end of April.
The GII, incidentally, is the first and leading institute in India to impart gemmological training and developing a large trained human resource in the gem and jewellery industry.  It is a non-profit academic and R&D institute under the GJEPC and is sponsored by BDB, GJEA, DEAL and MDMA. Besides talent, GII also focuses on providing advanced services like certification, testing etc.
IIDGR’s AMS machines can rapidly detect synthetic stones in parcels of small diamonds ranging from 0.01 - 0.20 carats in a cost effective manner.  It addresses a market need for rapid and affordable detection equipment for smaller sized diamonds, which will be of immense benefit for India.  In line with GJEPC’s policy to support  micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), DDRC will enable smaller traders, to get their parcels tested at an affordable cost. This programme is well supported by BDB.
DDRC has been providing Detection services for all parcels received. The centre also offers resources for creating awareness about lab grown diamonds and testing methods.  It also provides services to diamond companies including technical and on-the-job training of their staff in detection methods.  GII has already taken up the task of educating people and eliminating the fear of lab grown diamonds from the minds of the people through seminars in Surat, at Opera house and BKC in Mumbai, Coimbatore, and Cambay and are planning to hold seminars in other Diamond Centres as well.
The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR) has been established by the De Beers group of companies, the organisation most closely associated with both the mystique and science of the world’s most sought-after stone. Its mission is to provide a premium service and proprietary equipment to the industry. The IIDGR works only on diamonds that meet the United Nations’ mandated World Diamond Council Kimberley Process. This exclusivity inspires confidence among Diamantaires and, ultimately, the consumers they serve. It is only with continued vigilance that the diamond industry can stay ahead of what is happening in synthetics and simulants. The IIDGR spearheads diamond research and development, benefits from substantial investments of time and resources in the very latest technologies from the De Beers Group of companies and is integral in setting a standard of excellence in verification instruments.

Aruna Gaitonde, Rough&Polished correspondent in India