As digital innovation transforms the diamond industry, traceability is no longer an option or add-on—it’s a requirement. At the same time, precision, efficiency, and market alignment are essential for manufacturers delivering at scale.
Precision
One area of rapid development is AI-driven grading and sorting, which enables manufacturers to move beyond the classic 4Cs toward a more nuanced, multi-dimensional evaluation of each stone.
Modern systems now assess factors such as milkiness, fluorescence, black inclusions, and color tinge—subtle qualities that can impact a diamond’s value and appeal, especially in high-end settings.
Technologies like Sarine’s second-generation platforms bring a new level of granularity to this process. These automated systems generate consistent, repeatable results while operating on-site, streamlining workflows and reducing dependence on external grading labs.
For example, Clarity-II™ now evaluates a wider clarity range—from I to VVS—and includes assessments of characteristics like Black in Table (BIT) and Black in Crown (BIC), offering deeper insight into stone quality.
Efficiency
AI-enhanced systems help align manufacturing output with external demand, minimizing inventory mismatches and maximizing value from each polished stone.
These tools support automated, consistent grading at the manufacturing stage, reducing reliance on manual review and helping streamline the journey from factory to market.
For vertically integrated players like VD Global, the benefits include enhanced operational control and faster time to market. This integration also builds greater trust among B2B clients and retailers by ensuring a verified, consistent, and compliant supply.
Market Alignment
This level of refinement supports smarter inventory management and strategic sorting. It enables manufacturers to customize batches for specific market segments or client needs.
Equally critical is traceability, which continues to gain importance amid tightening compliance standards and rising consumer demand for ethical sourcing. Systems like Sarine’s AutoScan Plus™ create a verifiable digital fingerprint of each rough diamond at the source, linking it to a traceable chain of custody as it transforms into a finished product.
Combined with blockchain-based platforms such as Tracr™, these tools enable full transparency, documenting a diamond’s provenance and journey.
The shift toward smarter, tech-enabled sorting signals a broader transformation in the diamond pipeline. As transparency faces growing global scrutiny, digital solutions provide a clear path forward.
ABOUT VDG
For over 50 years and three generations, De Beers Sightholder VD Global (VDG) has been a trusted partner to the world’s leading luxury houses, delivering ethically sourced, fully traceable natural diamonds.
VDG is committed to responsible practices and aligns with global sustainability goals. It specializes in calibrated sizes, matched sets, and fancies, delivering excellence from mine to market.
With headquarters in India and a presence across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, VDG combines global reach with localized service. The company utilizes cutting-edge platforms like Tracr and Sarine Technologies. These tools enable end-to-end traceability, even at the most granular level.
Get in touch to learn more about our traceability solutions, sustainable sourcing, and direct-to-retailer services.
