Diamond industry gets the tech edge
The indian gems and jewellery industry has come a long way from the traditional manual cutting and polishing to adopting hi-tech, speedy and effective software, much to the envy of its counterparts in China, Belgium, Hong Kong and Italy.
By Melvyn Thomas, |
SURAT: The indian gems and jewellery industry has come a long way from the traditional manual cutting and polishing to adopting hi-tech, speedy and effective software, much to the envy of its counterparts in China, Belgium, Hong Kong and Italy. The last few years have seen an emergence of the tech-savvy diamond industry, always ready to adopt new technologies in order to reduce dependence of skilled workers who are in short supply and increase manufacturing costs.
The diamond industry has it all — a software that maps inclusions and flaws in the diamonds, equipment that generate cutting solutions with estimated yields, green lasers that doesn’t leave pronounced burn marks on the diamonds, hi-tech diamond calculator for gauging the light, lustre and fire of the stones and fully automatic polishing machines.
Experts said the Indian diamond industry has made a phenomenal investment of Rs 700-1,000 crore in adopting world-class technologies in the last few years. Today, everyone in the industry seeks quality, reduction in time and cost effectiveness, which is why technology is the buzzword amongst pdiamantaires.
“The Indian precious stones sector has braced up technology like anything in the last few years. Diamantaires have been making phenomenal investments in procuring worldclass technologies,’’ said Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) chairman Sanjay Kothari. India’s diamond and jewellery industries, which are still close-knit family undertakings, are giving due attention to focus on building strong in-house R&D for becoming self-reliant in terms of efficient utilisation of available technology.
“Concerted efforts are underway to build a strong R&D section by the manufacturers and the council in the industry,” said Mr Kothari. Said Sanghavi Exports director Chandrakant Sanghavi: “Diamond processing has become fast and speedy with the use of advanced technologies. In addition, the technology has helped us in reducing manufacturing costs.’’
There are some 10 to 15 big players in the diamond machine manufacturing industry having a total annual turnover of Rs 500 - 600 crore. The big players are: Israel-based Sarin Technologies Limited and OGI Systems Limited, India-based Sahajanand Technologies, Bombay Mill Manufacturing, Lexus group, Dimexon Diamond Limited etc.
“Technology requires huge investment. But the diamantaires are not averse to spending big money for the latest technology in order to sustain the International competition,’’ said Lexus group CEO Utpal Mistry.
The company is one of the leading manufacturers of hi-tech diamond equipment.
Mistry said ``Detecting impurity and cavity in the small-size stones is very tough. This equipment is going to go a long way by enhancing the quality of small-size stones manufactured in India.’’
The diamond industry has it all — a software that maps inclusions and flaws in the diamonds, equipment that generate cutting solutions with estimated yields, green lasers that doesn’t leave pronounced burn marks on the diamonds, hi-tech diamond calculator for gauging the light, lustre and fire of the stones and fully automatic polishing machines.
Experts said the Indian diamond industry has made a phenomenal investment of Rs 700-1,000 crore in adopting world-class technologies in the last few years. Today, everyone in the industry seeks quality, reduction in time and cost effectiveness, which is why technology is the buzzword amongst pdiamantaires.
“The Indian precious stones sector has braced up technology like anything in the last few years. Diamantaires have been making phenomenal investments in procuring worldclass technologies,’’ said Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) chairman Sanjay Kothari. India’s diamond and jewellery industries, which are still close-knit family undertakings, are giving due attention to focus on building strong in-house R&D for becoming self-reliant in terms of efficient utilisation of available technology.
“Concerted efforts are underway to build a strong R&D section by the manufacturers and the council in the industry,” said Mr Kothari. Said Sanghavi Exports director Chandrakant Sanghavi: “Diamond processing has become fast and speedy with the use of advanced technologies. In addition, the technology has helped us in reducing manufacturing costs.’’
ADVERTISEMENT
For the technology providers - manufacturers of latest equipment - it is nothing short of a boon when the industry is fast catching up with world-class technology. There are some 10 to 15 big players in the diamond machine manufacturing industry having a total annual turnover of Rs 500 - 600 crore. The big players are: Israel-based Sarin Technologies Limited and OGI Systems Limited, India-based Sahajanand Technologies, Bombay Mill Manufacturing, Lexus group, Dimexon Diamond Limited etc.
“Technology requires huge investment. But the diamantaires are not averse to spending big money for the latest technology in order to sustain the International competition,’’ said Lexus group CEO Utpal Mistry.
The company is one of the leading manufacturers of hi-tech diamond equipment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lexus group, which has global diamond manufacturers such as KGK diamonds, DiamCad, Rosy Blue, AGS, GIA, HRD and DMCC among its clients, has introduced first of its kind equipment known as `Helium speed-oxygen’ with latest software for value-based planning and detecting impurities and cavities in the stones from the smallest 1 cent to 1 carat.Mistry said ``Detecting impurity and cavity in the small-size stones is very tough. This equipment is going to go a long way by enhancing the quality of small-size stones manufactured in India.’’
ADVERTISEMENT
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
