Diamond security specialist Opsydia has unveiled new classifications for its sub-surface identifiers, allowing manufacturers, brands and grading houses to choose from a range of options to suit their requirements.
The system uses laser technology to create a permanent link between a diamond and its original grading report or blockchain record.
Opsydia has now categorised its two options as ‘Loupe ID’ and ‘Nano ID’.
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The former involves placing a larger, visible identifier in the diamond – a standard 10x loupe that can be placed at depths of up to 0.25mm (250 microns) beneath the surface of a diamond.
Discussing the alternative, the Nano ID option, Opsydia CEO, Andrew Rimmer, told Professional Jeweller: “Our smallest and faintest identifiers to date – Nano ID security features – have been shown not to affect the clarity grade of internally flawless diamonds, which means they can be used by the natural diamond industry at no risk to the value of their inventory.”
Nano ID features can be placed up to 0.18mm (180 microns) beneath the surface of a stone and must be read at more than 100x magnification, or with an Opsydia ID viewer – a device that is currently in the development phase.
Rimmer added: “Opsydia technology exists to fill an important gap in the market and advance the mission to secure diamonds, accurately identify specific stones and support traceability and transparency initiatives.
“By using innovative sub-surface laser technology, we are able to place permanent identifiers beneath the surface of diamonds without affecting their surface polish or condition.”
The CEO went on: “As identifiers are placed within diamonds, they cannot be economically removed or tampered with by fraudsters. The Opsydia System closes a loophole in existing grading reports and blockchain initiatives – it allows businesses to physically link a report or blockchain ledger with a specific diamond.
Natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds and diamond simulants all have a place in today’s busy jewellery marketplace, but the challenge comes in ensuring they are clearly delineated and disclosed.”
“For example, a grading report number could be ‘written’ beneath the surface of a diamond to immutably link the two together. We also give brands the opportunity to place their own unique logos beneath the surface of stones, which means the Opsydia System can serve a branding function and add extra ‘storytelling’ to products in a highly competitive marketplace.
“Natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds and diamond simulants all have a place in today’s busy jewellery marketplace, but the challenge comes in ensuring they are clearly delineated and disclosed. There are also the interlinked issues of transparency and traceability, which are being increasingly demanded by the end-consumer.
“At Opsydia, our focus is on securing the identity of diamonds and placing unique, immutable identifiers beneath the surface of stones to confirm something about them, whether it’s their grading report number, branded origin, geographic mining origin or blockchain record. It is my belief that this type of clear identification will be in high demand as the market becomes more saturated and more complex.”
Turning his attention to the company’s future, Rimmer concluded: “We are in an exciting phase of our development, with leading grading houses and industry associations beginning to experience first-hand the nature of our technology and its practical and commercial advantages.
“Looking ahead to the next 12 months, we will continue to demonstrate the benefits of our Nano ID features and focus on the launch of our Nano ID Viewer technology, which is currently in the development phase.”
