Science and technology have affected most areas of life. Technology makes things easier and way faster for everyone. We all achieve more and do things we can only dream about with the aid of science and technology.
The jewelry industry is also feeling the effects of the use of technology. More complex jewelry designs come to life using technology. It has also made the entire process of jewelry making easy, fast, and more accurate.
We will be looking at the roles science and technology have played in the diamond industry.
1. Laser Technology
The diamond industry has moved from using tweezers and chisels to cut-out designs. Lasers are now used to cut out designs from diamonds. They do diamond cuts and designs faster and accurately. It also is helpful in creating different diamond shapes.
In addition, laser technology is used to make engravings on diamonds possible. Jewelers can now use any font type on diamonds. The best part is it is possible without leaving dents on the gem. Lasers are also used to remove irregularities in the structure of diamonds.
2. Synthetic Diamonds
This can be the greatest technological advancement in the diamond industry. The creation of synthetic diamonds has in fact been evolving since the 1950s.
Although cultivated in a controlled setting, these lab-grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. They are as alike as mined diamonds in appearance and composition. However, their carat and clarity are way better than natural mined diamonds, making them the perfect wedding day diamonds.
The fire and sparkle are also not different. However, technological advancements allow dealers to grow diamonds using two methods.
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): this method involves ‘planting’ a small diamond seed. This diamond seed is put in a small chamber. The chamber is then filled with heated gases.
When the gases are at a certain temperature, layers of carbon begin to form on the seed. This will make the seed grow and form a square-shaped diamond crystal.
- High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): this method involves placing graphite in a large machine.
The machine then crushes it with extreme temperature and pressure. These extremities turn the graphite into a diamond.
3. Diamond Polishing
The polishing of a diamond determines how much luster the diamond can emit from light rays. Polishing also determines how a piece, like a diamond proposal ring, accumulates dirt. A piece that undergoes polishing does not accumulate so much dirt. This means it does not need frequent cleaning to maintain its glow.
Polishing was done by using the deep boiling method. The rough diamond undergoes boiling inside strong acid for 10-12 hours. After the boiling process, the diamonds undergo another regular cleaning process.
Technological advancements have led to the development of an automatic polishing machine. The machine can find grain and polish the direction of a diamond. When using this machine, the diamond needs to keep rotating. This is to find the right polishing direction.
4. Diamond Planning Software
Each diamond has specific features that determine its uses. The features determine how the diamond should be cut giving the diamond its shape and uniqueness. Diamond cutting software helps in determining how to cut a rough diamond.
It uses the crystallographic orientation of the diamond. This is to determine what shapes to cut it into. It also determines the number of cuts you can get from a rough.
5. Tracking Diamonds
The diamond industry faces the challenge of illegal practices. Some of these include illicit sales. This means selling stolen or fake diamonds in black markets. There is a need to eliminate some of these practices that exist within it. However, such activities still make it difficult to track them.
Recently, technology has undergone several developments. However, this technology seems to solve the diamond industry’s biggest problems. This technology is the blockchain.
The blockchain is the same technology that powers cryptocurrencies. Blockchains are decentralized, encrypted digital ledgers.
They can store any data in unalterable forms. This will be good for cataloging diamonds.
Provision of the blockchain tools needed to create a diamond registry is in progress. This will allow diamond sellers to track every diamond from the mine to the market. The system will also allow customers to track the history of any diamonds they buy.
This technology will get rid of fraud in the diamond industry. It will also increase transparency and trust between customers and sellers.
6. Artificial Intelligence for Better Customer Experience
The diamond industry is a luxury market. This market is full of large dealers whose reputations depend on insider knowledge. This knowledge allows diamond dealers to keep consumers at arm’s length. This way, customers rely only on their expertise.
This means consumers cannot make data-driven decisions for themselves when buying diamonds. Unfortunately, this allows some dealers to take advantage of inexperienced customers.
The good news is that technology has come to the rescue once again. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help customers avoid such situations.
This technology evaluates over 100,000 GIA-certified diamonds over several qualities.
This enables customers to select jewelry like diamond stud earrings that meet their needs. In addition, it provides all the information a customer needs about a diamond before buying.
7. Computer-Aided Designs
The computer-aided design (CAD) software is for designing several types of jewelry. This software allows designers to create a virtual prototype of a jewelry piece.
The CAD software improves accuracy and provides three-dimensional images of any jewelry. Designs done on this software can be either produced as a photorealistic image. Another option is producing a physical manufacturing model from it.
8. Shopping Diamonds Online
You can’t walk into any shop to buy diamonds. Internet technology has made it easy for customers to find diamond dealers. This may seem risky as customers may not be able to confirm the quality of the diamond they are buying.
Thankfully augmented reality (AR) technology solves that problem. It helps customers get a lifelike feel of the jewelry when shopping online. This makes shopping easier for customers and sellers.
9. Multi-function Jewelry
With the help of technology, multi-function jewelry has come into the market. These types of jewelry are cut into different styles. This saves cost and is also convenient for the consumer. In addition, this technology allows customers to detach, dismantle, and add to their jewelry pieces.
Conclusion
Technology is bringing about several changes in the diamond industry. These advancements make the market safer and more reliable. With the proper use of these technological advancements, the diamond industry will expand even more. Customers also can be sure that they are getting the best value for their money on a diamond purchase.