When Gems Speak
Distant grading
Distant Grading refers to a grading method in which the gemstone does not need to be sent physically to an actual grading laboratory.
Following presentation is simplified from a technical perspective. For example, IT infrastructure between Site Office and Distant Grading Laboratory is omitted, and not all the the grading instruments are listed.
Gemstone grading can be divided into two parts: physical grading and visual grading. Physical grading, by definition, has to be done in the presence of a gemstone. Visual grading can be done with the visual representation of a gemstone.
Physical grading requires no special skills, whereas visual grading requires training and expertise. The fundamental idea with the Distant Grading is that the physical grading is done as close as possible to the location of a gemstone, and visual grading can be done globally, over the Internet, by experts.
Gemcert has developed a suitable imaging technology for visual representation of a gemstone. A gemstone can be photographed from every possible viewing angle without any obstruction to the illumination, or to the gemstone itself, with different illumination setups. The actual grading takes place in so called virtual environment on the computer using high resolution images.
With the Conventional Grading, a gemstone has to be sent physically to the actual Grading Laboratory, where it is examined both physically and visually using many different techniques and instruments. In the end of the process, a certificate is issued.
Nearly 10% of classical gem measurement methods prove to be flawed.
Let us take the guesswork out of the diamond certification.
With the Distant Grading, a gemstone is physically examined already in the Site Office, then photographed. Physical grading results and the images are sent to the actual Grading Laboratory, i.e. virtual environment, for visual grading, and to finalize the certificate.
The two main components consisting the virtual environment are 3D Viewing Engine and Distant Grading User Interface.
There are apparent benefits with the Distant Grading. Speed is one of them: a certificate can be obtained within hours instead of days or even weeks. There is no need to sent gemstones by courier to the other side of the world, which helps with the green transition. Visual grading is no longer location or time dependent. Also, with Distant Grading, expanding the global laboratory network is very cost effective.