Are you using artificial intelligence-based technology? The chances are strong. According to one survey, 33% of consumers think they are using AI technology, but in fact, 77% are.
Whether you're aware of it or not, artificial intelligence is leading the charge in the latest technological revolution that's sweeping through modern life. AI, also known as machine learning, has found its way into diverse arenas – from powering autonomous cars to driving innovations like ChatGPT for content creation and elevating virtual assistants to unprecedented levels of capability.
In our journey at Sarine, AI has been at the heart of our development for over two decades. More recently, we've witnessed AI catalyzing a profound transformation in the diamond industry, with diamond grading emerging as its dominant force of change.
The Evolution of AI-Based Diamond Grading
Diamond grading was once a complex, confusing manual process. The limits of the human eye and human perception make it very difficult to ensure standardized grading of diamonds across the board. This has led to discrepancies between diamond grades, and between grading standards of different gem labs.
Take cut grading, for example. Cut grading is assessment of the cut of polished diamonds, which has a direct and vital influence on the diamond's appearance and value. Cut grade is sometimes confused with the diamond shape (i.e., round, emerald, princess), but in fact, cut grade relates to the way the facets of the diamond intersect, creating the diamond's unique dimensions and proportions.
Once, cut grading was a manual, visual process carried out by close inspection of the diamond by a professional gemologist. This changed in 1992, when software was first introduced that provided automated and computerized measurement of the diamond's proportions. Even then, nearly thirty years ago, the new computer-based cut grading device was able to deliver levels of accuracy that were simply impossible for humans to achieve. In the years since, cut grading technology, both the optical scanners used to create a model of the diamond, and the software used to analyze and measure the diamond, have become more and more sophisticated. Levels of precision in cut grading are already at superhuman levels – micron precision, in fact.
The Impact of AI on the Diamond Industry
The continuous advancement of technology, both in the realm of AI and diamond analysis, has paved the way for a transformative leap forward. This progress has enabled the expansion of AI-based technologies to encompass the entirety of diamond grading. Notably, in 2017, a pivotal moment arrived with the unveiling of the pioneering AI-based diamond grading technologies; Sarine Clarity™ and Sarine Color™. This marked the inception of a new era. Following this milestone, the year 2018 witnessed the inauguration of the world's very first fully automated, AI-driven diamond grading laboratory, further solidifying the role of AI in the diamond industry. The journey has been one of evolution, and in 2022, a new chapter unfolded with the introduction of the second generation of AI-based grading. This chapter welcomes Sarine Clarity-II™ and an updated version of the esteemed Sarine Color™ system, representing a refined stride in diamond grading technology.
But what effect will AI diamond grading have on the industry? The full implications of AI diamond grading are yet unknown and will surely unfold in the years ahead. However, here are four ways that AI is already impacting the global diamond industry:
Reliable Diamond Grading
AI-based diamond grading eliminates the human error factor. Artificial intelligence does not replace the knowledge and expertise of the gemologist. Rather, it creates a non-biased standardized accuracy that can be leveraged by gem labs to improve the consistency of diamond grading, and adhere more strictly to industry grading standards. This increases the reliability and consistency of results, which is a benefit for all parties – manufacturers, gem labs, retailers, and consumers.
Accuracy That is Constantly Improving
AI-driven diamond grading is based on machine learning. The more diamonds scanned by the AI grading device, the more intelligent the device becomes, and the more accurate its results are going to be. Machine learning incorporates the data gathered by the device and uses it to perfect its own algorithms. Over time, AI diamond grading will become more and more accurate and efficient.
Beyond Grading to Sorting and Supply
AI-based diamond grading methodologies can be used to help manufacturers sort their diamond inventory according to market needs, which means a more efficient and consumer-driven supply. With the Sarine Clarity-II™ system, manufacturers can sort diamonds according to a far broader range of markers. Now, the sorting parameters include milkiness, tinge, fluorescence, BIT, and BIC, deepening the capability of the manufacturer to manage their inventory to optimize potential value and meet market demands. Sorting filters can also be of great use to retailers who can build more specific and relevant diamond collections that match the needs of their market and reduce their inventory.
Consumer Confidence
With the boom in lab-grown diamonds and changing consumer habits of the Millennials and Gen Z, the diamond industry has faced challenging times. AI diamond grading helps to boost customer confidence by providing precise, non-disputable grading results that are backed by objective technological processes.
Conclusion
The integration of AI into the very foundation of diamond grading to enable diamond grading at the source through Sarine eGrading™, stands as a prime testament to how technology is dynamically reshaping industries.
Globally, as more companies recognize the potential of diverse AI technologies, various sectors stand on the brink of transformative change. A staggering 35% of companies are already leveraging AI, while an impressive 42% are actively exploring its integration for the future.
The onward march of AI's influence is unmistakable. In the realm of diamond grading, AI's presence is tangible – not just as a concept, but as a reality already adopted by suppliers. This marks the inception of a new era characterized by unmatched precision and reliability, putting the power of this cutting-edge technology directly into the hands of end consumers.
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