Blog

Introduction Written by Andrew Rimmer, CEO, Opsydia

“Opsydia is a leading innovator in diamond security, combining cutting edge technology with immutable microscopic identifiers that form a physical link between a specific diamond and its grading report, blockchain record or branded jewelry origins. Using next generation sub-surface laser techniques, we provide businesses with a secure and tamper-proof way of confirming a diamond’s identity and empower all stages of the diamond supply chain to protect the integrity of diamonds.

What can happen if a diamond is not secured? For the consumer, the risk is overpaying for a stone that has a fraudulent grading report or doesn’t have the provenance they expect. For the trade, the risk is to reputation and brand loyalty. It has been reported recently that labs are seeing a spike in synthetics fraud with diamonds appearing with fake girdle inscriptions to appear natural. The benefit of Opsydia technology is that our identifiers are placed beneath the surface of a stone and NOT on the surface, which means they can’t be polished away or economically removed. This has the benefit of making them more secure. Plus, our encrypted and secure technology means identifiers can’t be copied and reproduced, even by customers who also have an Opsydia System.

Diamonds are typically securely packaged, but once these seals are broken (to be used in jewelry, for example) there is a higher risk of substitution or accidental mix-ups. This is where confidence in diamond identity could be lost. However, with the Opsydia System, sub-surface features are within a stone itself and its identity can be assured even when mounted in jewelry. With our Loupe ID features, for example, all you need is a 10x eye loupe to discover an identifier and use its alphanumeric sequence, logo or information to quickly confirm a stone. This also has fantastic in-store storytelling benefits for a retailer… imagine showing a customer a special, secure Loupe ID feature on the shop floor with a clip-on macro lens for a smartphone!

Being able to guarantee a diamond’s identity is important for everyone in the supply chain. For the end consumer, it is the reassurance that the diamond they have purchased is genuine and matches the grading report that has influenced the price they have paid. If part of their purchasing decision was the fact a stone was ethically sourced or even from a preferred country, then a secure link to its origin provides that reassurance. Further back in the supply chain, a jewelry brand with strong traceability and transparency initiatives will want to protect against stones being substituted in their supply chain or counterfeit versions of their products being offered as ‘genuine’ on the market.

We know consumers are searching for jewelry with traceable and transparent credentials. There is huge potential for retailers who are able to build the concept of a sub-surface identifier, whether Loupe ID or Nano ID, into their shop-floor sales process to reassure a wary or concerned customer. If shoppers are coming to your business because they know you prioritize people and planet, then having your brand logo beneath the surface of diamond solitaire engagement ring adds extra meaning. We are excited about the future of Opsydia technology and would invite any interested parties to contact us to find out more.”



Securely identify lab-grown diamonds from natural diamonds with Opsydia's diamond technology

Securing the Identity of Diamonds
Opsydia is a leading innovator in diamond security, combining cutting edge technology with immutable microscopic identifiers that form a physical link between a specific diamond and its grading report, blockchain record or branded jewelry origins. Using next generation sub-surface laser techniques, Opsydia provides a secure and tamper-proof way of confirming a diamond’s identity and empowers all stages of the diamond supply chain to protect the integrity of diamonds.

The Future of Diamond Security
Our pioneering technology supports diamond authenticity and transparency initiatives by placing a permanent identifier beneath the surface of a stone. This can’t be removed without re-cutting a diamond or significantly reducing its carat weight, which makes efforts to do so uneconomical. These unique identity features can be incorporated into melee and large stones, both at loupe visible and microscopic sizes, without affecting a diamond’s surface.

Opsydia sub-surface identifiers can be used to guard against counterfeiting; distinguish natural and laboratory-grown diamonds; underpin mine-to-market traceability programs; and increase the confidence of high jewelry consumers.

Benefits include:
· Protect against luxury brand counterfeiting
· Tell an innovative story to your customers
· Securely link a specific diamond to its grading report
· Distinguish between laboratory-grown and natural diamonds
· Close loopholes in blockchain initiatives
· Permanently secure a diamond’s identity



How it Works
The Opsydia System uses a high-precision, ultrafast laser to place an identifier as small as one micron in diameter at a depth of up to 0.25 millimeters below the surface of a diamond. This laser is tightly focused only once it passes the surface of a diamond, therefore creating marks internally at a selected depth without affecting the surface condition or polish. It can be used below any part of a diamond’s surface, such as the table or a specific facet.

Loupe ID
Our most visible sub-surface identifiers can be placed within a diamond to be intentionally visible when viewing using a standard 10x magnifying loupe.

Nano ID
The Opsydia System can place nano-scale identifiers beneath the surface of a diamond that are not detectable even with a grading microscope. These Nano ID features have no effect on clarity grades, even for internally flawless diamonds. This has been independently confirmed by two leading laboratories, including the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF). Nano IDs can be read using Opsydia viewing technology.

What Can Identifiers Look Like?
Our identifiers are highly configurable and can be adapted to suit your business needs. Choose from serial numbers, brand logos, hallmarks, images and encoded data. Identifiers can be placed beneath the surface of all diamonds, even melee stones, as well as some colored gemstones.



The Opsydia D5000
The Opsydia System is capable of volume processing and can be deployed across the globe for use by diamond manufacturers, grading houses and luxury jewelry brands.

Take the Next Step in Securing Your Diamonds
The Opsydia System can be deployed across the globe for use by jewelers, miners, manufacturers and grading laboratories. Secure encryption ensures that only authorized identifiers can be placed by each machine, giving your business protection against counterfeiting and complete peace of mind.

The Opsydia System is designed for volume operation within diamond processing facilities and is capable of marking 100,000 stones per year. Now, businesses can instill trust in their entire product offering by placing an immutable and tamper-proof identity feature inside every single stone.

“By tackling the future needs of the diamond industry today, we attract those ready to take the next step in diamond security,” Andrew Rimmer, CEO, Opsydia

About Opsydia
Opsydia is a leading innovator in diamond security, combining cutting edge technology with immutable microscopic identifiers that form a physical link between a specific diamond and its grading report, blockchain record or branded jewellery origins. Using next generation sub-surface laser techniques, Opsydia provides a secure and tamper-proof way of confirming a diamond’s identity and empowers all stages of the diamond supply chain to protect the integrity of diamonds. Opsydia technology can be deployed across the globe for use by jewellers, miners, manufacturers and grading laboratories. For more information, please visit: www.opsydia.com.

Platinum Guild International USA has released an easy-to-navigate infographic that will enable retailers and brands alike to better understand the mindset of ‘gifters’ versus that of self-purchasers. Based on a research study conducted by 360 Market Research on behalf of PGI USA in late 2020, the infographic delves into several key differences which the industry should be mindful of when developing consumer-facing messaging, whether for advertising programs, in-store promotions or social media campaigns.

The infographic focuses on five key areas:

Who is buying?
- Gifters are a predominantly male audience, with 78% of male respondents having bought a gift for a significant other in the past two years, as opposed to only 28% of women. Generationally, Millennials are out-gifting all the rest, followed by Gen Xers.
- Women are treating themselves a bit more often than men, as 52% of those females surveyed identified as self-purchasers reported buying themselves a piece of fine jewelry in the past two years. Again, Millennials lead the pack of self-purchasers; nearly twice as many of those born in the ‘aughts’ made a purchase for themselves, than those in the next closest generation, Gen X.

Who is receiving?
- When segmenting by generations, Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers are buying for their significant others by a considerable amount. Interestingly, however, when Gen Zers are in the mood to give a gift, it’s their mom who will most likely be the recipient.

Why are they buying?
- ‘Just Because’ was the top reason for nearly half of the identified self-purchasers when asked why they were making a purchase. Classic jewelry-buying occasions, specifically, milestone birthdays and graduations were still deemed important to mark with the purchase of a piece of fine jewelry.

Where are they finding inspiration?
- Surprisingly, in the day and age of everything digital, in-store visits proved nearly as inspirational as websites for both gifters and self-purchasers. Advertising and social media also played a part in the decision making, but perhaps not to the degree in which we often believe they do.

Where are they shopping?
- For both gifters and self-purchasers, more than 90% of respondents confirmed they shop in-store and will continue to do so. The importance of being able to see, touch and try on fine jewelry will never diminish. That said, consumers have no fear to purchase jewelry online, making a company’s digital presence critically important to continue to maximize the opportunity to grow that channel.

“We feel it is very important to continue to share our research with the industry,” noted PGI USA President, Jenny Luker. “This particular study showed that in the cases of both the gifters and self-purchasers, more than two-thirds plan to purchase platinum in the future, which signifies the opportunity for jewelers, retailers, designers and brands across the board to focus on platinum as a business segment.”

The infographic is available for download at www.platinumlearning.com/helpful-hints.

About Platinum Guild International
Platinum Guild International is dedicated to promoting platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world's major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of platinum jewelry. For more information, please visit platinumjewelry.com.