Before a diamond hits the market or gets used in a piece of jewelry, it’s graded for quality, clarity and value. That’s nothing new. But diamond grading is a lot more subjective than people realize. Different labs might have variations in grading standards. Moreover, by introducing the human element, one technician might see something different from another. Not to mention, for years, the industry has seen inflated grading results, inconsistent review processes and a general lack of transparency. Why does any of this matter? The buyers, or rather the consumers, suffer. We risk overpaying for low-quality diamonds that don’t live up to their certifications. But GCAL by Sarine is rewriting the rules of that process by introducing AI-powered evaluations.
What can AI do here that a human can’t? Most importantly, via an unbiased process, the AI can ensure accuracy, transparency and ethical valuations in every report it generates. Conventional labs rely on human analysis, who largely takes into account many of these factors, yet from a different perspective, obviously. The AI-powered analysis eliminates inconsistencies in the process via cutting-edge algorithms and the support of expert gemologists. The AI analyzes and the experts verify.
How does GCAL’s AI process change the game?
Through the traditional grading process, two diamonds with the same clarity, the same cut and the same size can have wildly different prices. GCAL’s system ensures accuracy at every level, delivering precise grades that better reflect the true value of the stone. Moreover, the AI-grading helps eliminate “overgrading,” which is when the diamonds receive inflated values before they’re put on store shelves or used in a piece.
Finally, GCAL uses a proprietary and patented technology called GemPrint®, which is a sort of fingerprint for diamonds. It helps identify each stone, making them individually recognizable and fully traceable.
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering why this is such a big deal. Industry proponents expect the global AI diamond grading market to be worth $3,196.2 million by 2034, which is a significant jump from $750 million in 2024. That is a huge leap, and it shows how fast the market is growing, but also highlights how important accurate diamond grading will be. With that much value flooding the market, the industry needs to get those valuations correct.
How is AI-grading changing the market?
Currently, about 35% of companies already utilize AI-powered diamond grading, while 42% are actively looking into incorporating the technology. But that doesn’t really tell us how it’s shifting the field. We need some hard facts. How is the AI actually improving the entire process?
For starters, AI has helped reduce grading discrepancies by 30% to 40% when compared to traditional methods. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) even reports that its AI-assisted grading is capable of an accuracy rate of 90%, which is impressive. They even posit that it aligns closely with the expertise of experienced human graders. In other words, it’s just as good, if not better, when it comes to precision.
While I have no skin in the game, I applaud this adoption of the technology. It’s working alongside humans to vastly improve the precision and efficiency of the process, while avoiding their obsolescence. It also improves the entire system, as the stats show. It’s interesting to see areas where AI can truly have a formative impact outside of what we normally do. This isn’t a particularly tech-forward field. I never thought I’d say this, but the future of diamond grading is intriguing.
If you’d like to read more, I suggest visiting the GCAL by Sarine website.
