Alrosa Launches Digital Tenders with Sarine Tech

RAPAPORT... Alrosa has implemented a digital-tender pilot enabling buyers to scan rough diamonds to evaluate their polished output using systems from SarineTechnologies. The program, which the Russian miner debuted at its October sale, uses Sarine's Galaxy inclusion mapping and DiaExpertplanning to study a rough stone's external shape, internal inclusions and anticipatedcolor and fluorescence. "Digital tenders for rough diamonds allow us to improve ourcustomers' experience by reducing the risk associated with their purchasingdecisions," Alrosa deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev explained last week. "Thisensures their long-term sustainable profitability, [and] streamlinesmanufacturing processes after procurement of the stones. Alrosa concurrentlybenefits from the ability to show products to a large variety of clients withina short timeframe." Prior to the October sale, clients would travel to an Alrosa office, where a limited number of experts would examine the rough stones onoffer. Using the digital platform, buyers can collaborate with their entireteam, as well as the polishing factory, in order to make the best decisions asto which stones they should purchase, Alrosa said. "The diamond industry is evolving, and rough-diamond buyersare seeking ever more information in order to ensure decisions that are themost effective," noted Sarine CEO David Block. "Market conditions and marginsare such that few can afford to err in the purchase of rough diamonds for theirrespective businesses." Image: A rough diamond being analyzed in the DiaExpert machine. (Sarine Technologies)