Fancy Shapes Get Automation Boost

RAPAPORT... Swiss technology provider Synova has expanded its automated diamond-cutting system to include fancy shapes. The company, which is part-owned by De Beers, unveiled the DaVinci Diamond Factory last year at the Dubai Diamond Conference. Synova claims the machine will significantly speed up diamond manufacturing from weeks to hours, improve accuracy and symmetry, and reduce costs. However, the version it initially launched could only cut round-brilliant diamonds with up to 57 facets."The pandemic restrictions had us more or less blocked from selling in the first half, so instead of sitting here and doing nothing, we developed the machine and made it market-ready," Joerg Pausch, head of the diamond business at Synova, told Rapaport News Monday. "We developed software add-ons that will allow for cutting of automated fancy shapes. After the first announcement, people were calling us asking if it can do fancy shapes, and that has actually become our strongest request from the market."Synova's initial testing of the automated fancy shapes has shown "very promising results," it noted. The technology provider will release the new software early next year.The company has already received a number of orders for the DaVinci from Europe, South Africa and North America, Pausch noted. It also intends to develop the machines to include more automation, he added.Images: The Synova cutting machine. (Synova)