De Beers to Launch New Melee Tester in Early 2023

De Beers is working on a new testing machine for screening some of the tiniest melee diamonds, claiming the move will help the industry spot synthetic stones more efficiently.

The new instrument will enable fast and automated verification of up to 3,600 stones per hour in the 0.001- to 0.0033-carat (0.6- to 1-millimeter) range, the miner said Friday. The equipment, part of the company’s Automated Melee Screening (AMS) range, has been in development for the past 18 months. De Beers Group Ignite, the miner’s innovation division, plans to launch the machine in early 2023.

“We believe this new instrument will play an important role in continuing to enhance our comprehensive suite of leading-edge technology for screening of synthetic or laboratory-grown diamonds right down to the smallest sizes, while making it easier and quicker for diamond businesses to assure product integrity,” said Ignite head Sarandos Gouvelis.

The current AMS2 screens round brilliants from 0.0032 to 0.2 carats and fancy shapes from 0.01 to 0.2 carats, according to De Beers’ website. The company has developed a total of 11 screening and verification instruments to date, it said.

Image:  Melee being graded and organized at De Beers premises in Surat, India. (Ben Perry/Armoury Films/De Beers)