Lab-GrownSep 27, 2021
RJC Is Developing a Standard for Lab-Grown Diamonds, GemsTechnologySep 28, 2021
NDC’s Assure Program Adding Mounted Jewelry Testing
Assure has also enlisted a second lab for testing, at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
The Natural Diamond Council’s Assure Program is launching version 2.0 this fall, adding testing for diamonds set into jewelry and enlisting a second lab as a testing site in Antwerp.
New York—The Natural Diamond Council announced Monday the Assure Program will begin testing mounted jewelry this fall and will be doubling its testing capacity by adding a second lab.
Launched in 2019, Assure uses third-party entities to test and provide feedback on the instruments designed to separate natural diamonds from lab-grown stones and simulants.
The program launched in 2019, testing loose stones on instruments from manufacturers including De Beers Group, the Gemological Institute of America, Presidium, DRC Techno, and more.
Assure 2.0 will expand to gauge the machines’ capability to test diamonds set into jewelry, with both open- and closed-back mounted stones included in the testing regimen, NDC said.
In addition, Assure has enlisted a second lab for the program, located at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
Related stories will be right here …
Launched in 2019, Assure uses third-party entities to test and provide feedback on the instruments designed to separate natural diamonds from lab-grown stones and simulants.
The program launched in 2019, testing loose stones on instruments from manufacturers including De Beers Group, the Gemological Institute of America, Presidium, DRC Techno, and more.
Assure 2.0 will expand to gauge the machines’ capability to test diamonds set into jewelry, with both open- and closed-back mounted stones included in the testing regimen, NDC said.
In addition, Assure has enlisted a second lab for the program, located at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
This facility will operate alongside the original Assure testing location, UL in Canton, Massachusetts, using the same samples and procedures.
NDC said the addition of the Antwerp lab will double its testing capacity.
It also will add geographic diversity, giving instrument manufacturers a European point of contact rather than having to send all their machines to the United States.
Manufacturers are invited to submit new instruments as well as existing instruments due for testing again (the Assure Tested Certification expires after two years) to the Assure program starting in October.
“Everyone is responsible for correctly disclosing the nature of the product they are selling, but to facilitate this we need robust diamond verification instruments that are rigorously tested,” said Raluca Anghel, NDC’s head of external affairs and industry relations.
“With this latest iteration of the Assure program, manufacturers will be presented with vital information to continue improving their devices, and consumers can be assured of the vigorous steps taken to ensure their confidence.”
A complete guide to Assure-tested devices is available on the NDC website.
Manufacturers interested in exploring individual projects with Assure, like supporting internal research, calibrating instruments, and testing new devices, can email the program at assure@naturaldiamonds.com.
“With this latest iteration of the Assure program, manufacturers will be presented with vital information to continue improving their devices, and consumers can be assured of the vigorous steps taken to ensure their confidence.”
A complete guide to Assure-tested devices is available on the NDC website.
Manufacturers interested in exploring individual projects with Assure, like supporting internal research, calibrating instruments, and testing new devices, can email the program at assure@naturaldiamonds.com.
More on Technology
The Latest
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in AtlantaIt’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ MarketLab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard DiesA longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 BackpacksThe fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod VacationThe giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid BacklashSellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
