Star Diamond acquires Buffalo Hills project in Alberta
Located approximately 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, the Buffalo Hills project includes 21 mineral leases covering 4,800 hectares.
The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), a De Beers Group company, has announced that the industry’s first synthetic screening device for set jewellery, SYNTHdetect, is now available for delivery.
SYNTHdetect is the only synthetic screening device that has been designed specifically for jewellery retailers, allowing them to quickly and easily ensure the authenticity of the diamonds they purchase.
As a result of its unique approach of detecting whether diamonds are natural, rather than seeking to identify synthetic characteristics, the device also has the industry’s lowest referral rate at around 0.05 per cent.
The US$16,250 instrument uses IIDGR’s patented luminescence technology to rapidly and simultaneously screen stones set in a wide range of jewellery pieces, without the need for a probe.
Jonathan Kendall, President, IIDGR, said: “Since unveiling SYNTHdetect in June, we have already received significant interest and pre-orders from many of the world’s leading jewellery retailers, demonstrating a strong desire from the industry for a device that allows them to quickly and easily screen diamonds at their own premises.
“With the industry’s lowest referral rate, SYNTHdetect dramatically reduces the need for additional off-site testing, making it the ideal solution for retailers and jewellery manufacturers.”
Diamond businesses interested in placing orders for a SYNTHdetect device can do so by emailing [email protected].
IIGDR has also announced that it will launch its second education course, the Diamond Foundation Course, at the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair this week.
Designed as an entry-level course for retail employees, manufacturing employees and those looking to join the industry, the online Diamond Foundation Course is focused on extending participants’ knowledge beyond the 4Cs, providing an understanding of the entire diamond pipeline and key issues affecting the sector.
It follows the launch of the Synthetic Diamond Detection training course earlier this year, which has attracted strong international interest, with courses being run in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the US and the UK to date.
Jodine Perrin, Director of Education, IIDGR, said: “We are delighted to be extending IIDGR’s education services with the launch of the Diamond Foundation Course, which provides a comprehensive overview of diamonds and all aspects of the industry value chain for those already working in the diamond jewellery industry, as well as those new to the sector.”
