The Swiss-based company, Synova, is the owner and supplier of the Laser Microjet technology, which is said to utilise a new, water jet-guided laser technique to cut various materials, including diamonds.
In announcing its acquisition of a 33.4 per cent stake in Synova, De Beers highlighted the benefits the technology provided the diamond industry.
“The innovative technology has the potential to help diamantaires achieve higher yields, reduce the risk of damage to stress stones, and generate higher throughput due to faster cutting time and easier processing,” a De Beers media statement read.
The Synova website claims the technology additionally results in a significant reduction in diamond weight loss and a cleaner and smoother surface finish.
According to De Beers, the two companies were working to further improve diamond cutting and polishing efficiency by developing a fully automated cutting and shaping machine.
In an address to the Dubai Diamond Conference last month, Global Sightholder Sales executive vice president Paul Rowley explained that De Beers was using targeted investments across multiple areas of the business to position itself – and the wider industry – for future success by supporting and enhancing the long-term value of diamonds.
The speech came after the company opened a US$10 million (AU$12.5 m) diamond inscription and grading operation for its Forevermark brand in Surat, India.
De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier confirmed the Synova acquisition was the latest example of this investment strategy.
“We have had great success with our technologies related to rough diamond sorting, inscription and grading for the Forevermark program and synthetic detection,” he said. “We believe this new cutting technology has the potential to play an important role in the diamond industry, as efficiency becomes ever more important for diamantaires.”
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