Precise Three Dimensional Diamond Model: Perspective Applications

Sergey Sivovolenko, OctoNus, Moscow, Russia

Yuri Shelementiev, MSU Gemological Center, Moscow, Russia

During the last decade of the XX century scanners for polished diamond appeared. These scanners opened various ways for obtaining and computing diamond cut data. A 3 dimensional computer diamond model can be obtained with these scanners. This model contains information about every diamond facet. Diamond cut can be described much more precisely than through traditional set of parameters (angles and proportions). Any parametrical description of diamond lacks individual symmetry features that every diamond has.

If software allows visualizing this 3D model one can see the same symmetry features that the real corresponding diamond has. If accuracy for determination of the position (coordinates) of each facet is sufficient, than there is a possibility to obtain various information such as photorealistic diamond image into different lighting conditions or individual optical response of diamond that determine quality of diamond cut. Data obtained with this 3D model and software gives many opportunities for various segments of diamond industry and market.

End customers can choose one diamond out of many brands seeing if there real difference among different branded stones. 3D model reveals similarity of difference and similar stones should have similar cost. Customers will be able to access to the databases of 3D models for verification of their stones and reports and also for additional information about their stones.

Retailers will be able to offer at the Internet not only "ideal cut" diamonds but the much more broad range of stones including "non ideal" and fancy shapes, literally on all certified diamonds. They also will be able to deal with customer's request for stone with particular optical appearance.

Labs can develop their cut grading system or part of such system, for example automatic symmetry grading, and provide service on the base of this system. There is a possibility to make several parts of grading procedure more reliable, repeatable, less labor consuming. It is possible to recognize a stone that was submitted to the lab earlier. Labs will grade cut of fancy shapes and round cut with nontraditional proportions. Also they can create database of 3D diamond models for customers.

Dealers can formulate request for particular diamonds much more accurate and explain their requirements to diamond manufacturer.

Manufacturers can control cut technology and provide repeatability of results. They can prove that production match all requirements of client.

Cut designers can use 3D diamond models for development of new beautiful cuts, vary of proportions of already existing stones, compute many sets of proportions and choose the best. It is possible to "see" a diamond before cut under many different types of illumination and positions.

Software can work with diamond model loaded as set of parameters or with scanned model, and in the nearest future users can be able to change parameters of scanned models. The most general result will be expected cut grading system on the base of 3D diamond model analyses. Such a system will have some important advantages:

• Quality of diamond cut can be graded not only by features that can be measured or notable through the loupe (proportions, symmetry, polish) but also by appearance and beauty.
• Grading takes into account non ideal symmetry of each diamond.
• Equal criteria can be applied to various different diamond cuts and proportions and this concept allows to avoid current widespread misbelieve that one cut is by definition better than another.

For diamond industry and market this will lead to removal of artificial restrictions for development of new cuts and sets of proportions, to creation of new various diamond shapes and to breakthrough in the direction of cut design. It will also lead to greater opportunities for manufacturers in usage of individual shape of rough diamond crystals.