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SYNTHDETECT WINS INDUSTRY INNOVATION OF THE YEAR AT JNA AWARDS

18 Sep 2018

The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), a member of De Beers Group, is pleased to announce that its industry-first synthetic screening device, SYNTHdetect, was awarded Industry Innovation of the Year at last night’s JNA Awards in Hong Kong.

Launched last year, SYNTHdetect is the first synthetic diamond screening device to simultaneously test multiple stones in set jewellery and has the industry’s lowest referral rate at around 0.05 per cent.

Jonathan Kendall, President, IIDGR, said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised among our industry peers with this award, which is testament to IIDGR’s mission to continually pioneer new innovations to support the diamond trade. SYNTHdetect has revolutionised synthetic diamond detection for our customers through our proprietary technology that makes the process of screening synthetic diamonds extremely simple and efficient. I congratulate all of IIDGR’s scientists for their work in developing the groundbreaking device.”

On the back of SYNTHdetect’s success, IIDGR last week announced the introduction of SYNTHdetect XL, a larger version of the original model that provides additional efficiencies for users, allowing a greater number of pieces of jewellery to be screened at an even faster rate.

The JNA Awards shortlisting process involved three rounds, including a visit by the judges to IIDGR’s lab in Surat, India, for a demonstration of SYNTHdetect in action.

Winners were announced at the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner during the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The JNA Awards champion best business practices in the jewellery and gemstone community by recognising and promoting companies and individuals that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovative thinking, and sustainable and socially responsible strategies, with a focus on their contribution in Asia, and whose ideas and actions have made a positive impact in the trade and communities.

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Notes to Editors

A high-resolution image of IIDGR’s Senior Mechanical Engineer, Luke Smith, Commercial Director, Jamie Clark, and Marketing Specialist, Chris Sanger, at the awards is available to download here.

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About the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (a member of De Beers Group)

The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research has been established by De Beers Group to provide a premium service and proprietary equipment to the diamond industry. Based in the UK, Belgium and India, and run by the world’s top diamond experts, the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research offers a range of expert services. The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research works only on diamonds that meet the requirements of the United Nations’ mandated World Diamond Council Kimberley Process. For more information, visit www.iidgr.com.

About De Beers Group

De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers Group are committed to ‘Building Forever’ by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers Group, visit www.debeersgroup.com.