GradingNov 08, 2022
De Beers to Launch New Melee Screening Device TechnologyNov 21, 2022
Version 2.0 of the NDC’s ‘Assure’ Directory Is Now Live
Assure is the program the Natural Diamond Council launched in 2019 to test lab-grown diamond screening devices.
The directory for instruments verified so far in the second round of Assure, the Natural Diamond Council’s third-party testing and verification program for diamond screening devices, is now available online.
New York—The Natural Diamond Council announced last week that version 2.0 of the Assure online directory is now live.
Assure is the program NDC launched in 2019 to test and analyze the performance of as many diamond verification instruments—devices designed to tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds, as well as diamond simulants—on the market as possible.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in Canton, Massachusetts, and the University of Antwerp in Belgium perform the testing.
NDC said this second round of the program and its updated directory show the results of testing the machines on an updated sample of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and diamond simulants in a range of sizes.
The sample is curated to reflect goods currently in the market, as well as “individual stones that anticipate future trends and pose some of the greatest challenges,” NDC said.
“It would be no good to test these machines using synthetic stones that are known to be easier to identify,” explained Grant Mobley, NDC’s jewelry and watch editor. “We need to make sure these machines work under the most difficult scenarios possible with the most difficult-to-identify stones as possible, as well as the most common types of synthetics on the market.
“In order to do this, we work with gem labs to secure the most common types of stones as well as stones they have identified as more difficult to identify. These more difficult stones are usually very rare on the market, some developed specifically to try to ‘fool’ the machines, but we want to make sure the machines can test them regardless.”
The second version of the program also tests diamonds already set into jewelry, whether in an open- or closed-back mounting.
Related stories will be right here …
Assure is the program NDC launched in 2019 to test and analyze the performance of as many diamond verification instruments—devices designed to tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds, as well as diamond simulants—on the market as possible.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in Canton, Massachusetts, and the University of Antwerp in Belgium perform the testing.
NDC said this second round of the program and its updated directory show the results of testing the machines on an updated sample of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and diamond simulants in a range of sizes.
The sample is curated to reflect goods currently in the market, as well as “individual stones that anticipate future trends and pose some of the greatest challenges,” NDC said.
“It would be no good to test these machines using synthetic stones that are known to be easier to identify,” explained Grant Mobley, NDC’s jewelry and watch editor. “We need to make sure these machines work under the most difficult scenarios possible with the most difficult-to-identify stones as possible, as well as the most common types of synthetics on the market.
“In order to do this, we work with gem labs to secure the most common types of stones as well as stones they have identified as more difficult to identify. These more difficult stones are usually very rare on the market, some developed specifically to try to ‘fool’ the machines, but we want to make sure the machines can test them regardless.”
The second version of the program also tests diamonds already set into jewelry, whether in an open- or closed-back mounting.
Currently, there are only three lab-grown diamond screening devices listed in the Assure 2.0 directory: De Beers Group’s DiamondSure and SynthDetect, and M-Screen Ultra from HRD Antwerp.
Mobley said “many more” will be added in the coming weeks as manufacturers submit their newest machines to test.
He also noted the Assure program is ongoing, so as new machines come to market, NDC will work with the manufacturer to try to get them in for testing.
NDC said this updated version of the online directory has improved search filters to allow users to more easily find instruments based on their needs: types of diamonds used, volumes of diamonds processed, size of device, level of expertise required, etc.
The new portal also provides more details on the Assure 2.0 program as well as information on how to protect the integrity of the diamond pipeline.
Previously published test results will still be available via the Assure 1.0 directory.
Manufacturers of diamond verification instruments can now submit to the program both new and existing instruments whose Assure verification is about to expire. (Companies that submit machines for testing receive an “Assure Tested” sticker to place on their instruments. The results, and the sticker, are good for two years. After that, the machine must be resubmitted for testing to still claim to be “Assure Tested.”)
For more information or questions, email assure@naturaldiamonds.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Technology
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
