Leading diamond security specialist, Opsydia, has unveiled new classifications for its sub-surface identifiers, allowing diamond manufacturers, brands and grading houses to choose from a range of visibilities to suit their specific requirements.

Utilising the laser technology within the Opsydia System, users can choose from Nano ID features or Loupe ID features to create a permanent physical link between a specific stone and its grading report, blockchain record or branded jewellery origins.

Nano ID features do not affect the clarity grade of diamonds, even for flawless stones, and are not detectable with a standard grading microscope. Nano ID features can be placed up to 0.18 millimetres (180 microns) beneath the surface of a stone and must be read at >100x magnification or with an Opsydia ID viewer – a device capable of reading identifiers that is currently in the development phase.

The assertion that Nano ID features have no impact on the clarity grade of internally flawless diamonds has been independently verified and confirmed by two leading grading houses, including the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF).

"We are honoured to have been able to collaborate with Opsydia in refining the criteria for a Nano ID so that it can be integrated into diamond grading practices. Diamond traceability and security are important issues in the diamond supply chain, and it is important that such scientific techniques be developed for the trade and to ultimately strengthen consumer confidence,” says Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, Director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, Basel.

In contrast, a Loupe ID is larger and denser and can be used in strategic places, such as the centre of the table, to allow valuers, grading houses and consumers to quickly distinguish laboratory-grown or branded items from natural diamonds. This group of identifiers is so named because of their visibility using a standard 10x loupe and can be placed at depths of up to 0.25 millimetres (250 microns) beneath the surface of a diamond.

Neither Loupe ID or Nano ID identifiers affect the surface polish of a diamond, meaning security features can be placed beneath the surface without compromising its finish and/or value.

With this technology, the natural diamond trade has the freedom to include secure identifiers within its diamond supply without compromising the factors that ensure rarity and market value. By establishing the techniques to create its most invisible identifiers to date, Opsydia is introducing the natural diamond sector to a unique methodology for addressing its core challenges, such as enhancing stone security, establishing bold traceability initiatives and protecting against fraud, non-disclosure and other counterfeiting concerns.

The Opsydia System uses a high-precision, ultrafast laser to place logos, alphanumeric sequences or coded shapes (known as identifiers) beneath the surface of a diamond. This laser is tightly focused only once it passes the surface of a diamond, therefore only creating the identifier at a selected depth without affecting the surface condition or polish. It can be applied beneath the surface of a diamond in a range of locations, such as the table or a specific facet.

The Opsydia System (approx. one metre wide and standard doorway accessible) is based on cutting edge laser technology developed at the University of Oxford. It can place unique identity features in diamonds and is capable of processing 50,000 to 100,000 stones per year in an industrial environment. Encryption techniques ensure that each Opsydia system can only write authorised logos or identifiers preventing counterfeiting and protecting brand integrity.

Opsydia technology is deployable across the globe and can be utilised by natural diamond and laboratory grown diamond specialists. In the spring, Opsydia will announce further collaborations with international diamond industry bodies.