ASSURE Program lab opens at UAntwerp to test Diamond Verification Instruments

Consumer protection and confidence is paramount to the long term growth of the diamond industry. In order to maintain it, each player of this industry must do its part to ensure the integrity of their pipeline, clear disclosure and above all verification of their supply. Fortunately, there are many effective Diamond Verification Instruments (DVI) on the market to serve this purpose. Enter the brand new ASSURE lab of UAntwerp, where DVIs are rigorously tested to ensure that the industry has access to objective data when selecting the best devices for them.

27 September 2021

Diamonds are the ultimate luxury good to appeal to the imagination. Natural diamonds will always be associated with dreams, magic and emotional milestones. Also, the economic impact and enduring value of this ‘little gemstone’ has always been appreciated. As with all industries, the diamond industry is evolving. One such evolution is the development of synthetic diamonds. The manufacturing technology of this synthetic stone is constantly evolving, enabling greater volumes. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between a natural diamond and a synthetic one without specialised equipment: to the naked eye, they are often indistinguishable.

Despite the similar appearance, these are essentially different products with a very different value proposition. That why clear and accurate disclosure is essential to protecting consumer confidence, which is core to our industry’s long-term growth. This is also central to the mission of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) and the reason why the ASSURE Program was developed and launched in 2019. With the success of the program, the NDC has made further investments to enhance it.

Focus on integrity

‘Clear and accurate disclosure is essential to protecting consumer confidence, which is integral to our mission’, explains Raluca Anghel, head of external affairs and industry relations at the NDC. ‘This is the reason why the ASSURE program was originally developed and launched in 2019. Industry response has been overwhelmingly positive, which is why the NDC has continued to expand and enhance the program. We are very pleased to partner with UAntwerp on the opening of a second ASSURE laboratory, in addition to the lab in the United States.

There are already many effective screening devices on the market today and new DVIs are in development as the detection technology continues to evolve. All DVI manufactures are welcomed and encouraged to submit their devices for ASSURE testing. On publication of the test results, manufacturers are granted use of the ASSURE Tested Certification Mark valid for two years, which gives their customers the confidence in knowing that a device has undergone the rigorous ASSURE testing program.

A lot of expertise at the university

The organisation wanted to open a second lab in Europe and the University of Antwerp put itself forward as a partner. ‘Antwerp is very much at the centre of the global diamond trade market’, says Quinten Van Avondt (Valorisation Office, UAntwerp). ‘86 percent of rough diamonds and a significant proportion of processed diamonds are traded in the City by the Scheldt. At our university we have the necessary expertise in the field of gemstones. For example, Prof. Koen Janssens (AXIS research team) has a close collaboration with the innovative diamond company HB Antwerp and Prof. Jan Sijbers and Prof. Jan De Beenhouwer (imec-Visionlab research team) have developed technology that is used within the sector. Also consider the research into the business impact of the diamond sector within the Faculty of Business and Economics.’

The UAntwerp candidacy convinced the Natural Diamond Council. The lab is fully operational now. Van Avondt: ‘In the lab, we work with a fixed set of diamonds – supplied and owned by NDC – which always represents the latest developments in synthetic diamonds. We also work closely with the city of Antwerp.’

Strengthening the ecosystem

‘Antwerp is the world leader in terms of ethics, innovation and new technologies in the diamond industry’, according to Peter Wouters, Antwerp Vice Mayor for diamonds. ‘Therefore we are very pleased that the prestigious ASSURE Program for the certification of detection equipment will have a home base in Antwerp, and that it will be the first in Europe. As a city, we have contributed to this by bringing the ecosystem of the diamond industry into the focus at our knowledge institutions.’

‘The presence of this lab is of course also important for the Antwerp diamond industry’, says Prof. Koen Vandenbempt, who studies the business economics of the diamond industry and is involved in this project. ‘The ASSURE lab not only strengthens the current ecosystem, but it also allows for new valuable activities to be anchored in Antwerp. This is a necessary condition for continued innovation.’