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Article > New Cut Grading Systems: the Technology Provider's Challenge | ||
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Diamond Grading Articles | |
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Part 3: 2 alternative approaches to adapting existing diamond technology to the new cut grading systems Direct measurement of light performance A simplified explanation of the method incorporated by this approach is a piece of equipment that allows the user to look at a diamond, observe its light performance parameters, and optionally grade the diamond based on these parameters. Leading players in this field are GemEx™, FireScope®, the Holloway Ideal-Scope™, and the Isee2™ product. Not all of these products are commercially available, as some of them are used for private manufacturing or sales promotion purposes. Computer Simulation of the Diamond Light Performance The method used by this approach usually consists of simulating a diamond, a person's viewing perspective, and a predetermined virtual lighting environment on a computer, and then using this combination to determine the light performance parameters of the diamond. Leading players in this field are OctoNus™ with their DiamCalc™ product and DTI Diamond Technologies Incorporated, which is expected to release its first diamond grading product in the near future. Advantages and disadvantages When trying to compare these two technology approaches, several advantages and disadvantages of each approach are evident: The direct measurement approach has the realistic image of the diamond and potentially higher consumer confidence on its side. Consumers will usually prefer a diamond measurement system they can understand in simple terms that start with "look at this diamond through the machine." On the flip side, the direct measurement system has a serious problem with the testing environment: every bit of dirt, grease, or lint may affect the accuracy of the diamond measurement. The environmental lighting can also be hard to control and kept constant for grading purposes. Finally, this method of measuring a diamond's light performance can be very difficult to quantify, since it's essentially using an analog or real image of the diamond. On the other hand, the computer simulation approach has several things going for it: since the entire measuring and grading environment is computer simulated, it is very easy to control and keep constant. Dirt can easily be ignored and lighting can be manipulated. This approach also allows for relatively easy quantification, certainly when compared to the direct measurement approach, the reason being, again, the virtual environment in which the measurement is performed. Once the metrics have been decided upon, all that needs to be done is count the number and type of rays coming out of the diamond at any given facet and calculate the light performance parameters. But the computer simulation approach has its share of problems too: a serious user confidence problem may occur when consumers realize that color, clarity, and different lighting conditions are not necessarily considered when grading the diamond. In fact, the consumer confidence may be further lowered by the concern that a computer simulation of a diamond may be a fraud or simply a sales tool that may be manipulated by the retailer to display any desired grade or phenomena. | |
Sarin Technologies is a worldwide leader in the development of advanced diamond optimization systems, diamond color grading,
diamond cut grading and laser marking machines for diamond grading & gemstone production
