Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02325130 2000-11-03
WH-11,019CA
TITLE: BRANDING GREEN DIAMONDS OR GEMSTONES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to a tracking
system for diamonds and other gemstones, and in particular,
to a tracking system which can include a record of the
diamond, including the initial mining of the diamond, any
parties involved in the eventual cutting of the diamond,
and the subsequent sale or sales of the diamond.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The purchase of a diamond typically represents a
significant investment and is involved with the celebration
of a particular event in a person's life. Recently,
diamond conflict, i.e., the sale of diamonds used to fund
conflict, has lead to questions with respect to the
particular source of a cut diamond, or other gemstones.
Many purchasers and dealers do not want to be involved with
the sale of conflict diamonds and presently it is difficult
to establish with reasonable certainty the particular
origin of a cut stone.
Unfortunately, rough diamonds are cut to produce
the desired finished diamond and this modification makes
tracking quite difficult. The present invention provides a
system for tracking of diamonds from the mine site through
to the finished product and the end purchaser. The system
provides the consumer with a credible record that the
diamond is not a conflict diamond and eventually, any
diamonds which do not have such a audit trail will be
subject to question.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A computerized network system for according to
the present invention records information with respect to
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gemstones. The system comprises a centralized database, at
least one site computer which communicates with said
centralized address and records information with respect to
rough cut gemstones and assigns an identity marking
therefore, and at least one cutter computer which
communicates with said centralized database and accesses
records of rough cut gemstones and supplements the records
with additional information specific to cut diamonds
derived from said rough cut gemstones. The database
includes gemstone records having initial rough cut gemstone
information, including source information entered at an
initial point in time, and cut gemstone information entered
at a subsequent point in time.
A gemstone tracking method according to the
present invention, using a computer to assign rough cut
stones with a unique marking and providing said marking on
the rough cut stone; and recording information with respect
to the initial rough cut stone; cutting the rough cut stone
to produce a finished stone and adding to the computer
record information, specific to the finished stone to
thereby produce a record of the rough cut stone and
finished stone with confirmed information with respect to
source of the rough cut stone. In this way, a computer
audit trail is provided with respect to mining of the stone
and the later finish cutting thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The system 2 for tracking of diamonds (Figure 1)
provides a record of the rough cut diamond from the mine to
the merchant and any intermediaries. This provides a
"green diamond" with an effective audit trail. The mined
diamonds are identified with a tracking serial number or
marking and large diamond crystals can be individually
laser engraved with a unique serial number. It can be
appreciated that all crystals can be laser engraved if
desired and for efficiency, perhaps smaller crystals would
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only be provided with a symbol such as a trademark of the
mine. Therefore, at the mine site, the diamonds are
identified with a trackable number provided by or
associated with a central, independent computer database.
The crystals can still have their own serial number
or group number for tracking, and large valuable crystals
can have their own serial number engraved. The decision
with respect to the size of crystals that will receive a
particular serial number is initially determined by the
mine site. In addition to the recording of identification
numbers and tracking numbers, data with respect to the
crystals such as weight, shape, clarity, colour, are also
recorded. The ability to provide a serial number and
recording of the characteristics of the crystals are
maintained in a database which is controlled by a central
source. Other methods of coding can include applying
coatings which are unique to a batch of stones or unique to
the mine.
Gemprint Corporation has run a global, centralized
computer database with respect to the tracking of finished
cut diamonds for many years. This tracking system records
an optical finger print of the diamond which is recorded in
the database and assigned a GEMPRINT certificate number.
This global database is now associated with a database
which tracks rough diamonds and the individual mine sites
have access to the database to obtain serial numbers from
the central database by recording information in the
database with respect to rough cut diamonds.
The record of rough cut diamonds is then associated
with the eventual finished cut stone and the GEMPRINT or
other record of the finished cut stone. Once the mine has
uploaded the information on a particular crystal to the
database, the record is locked. As the diamonds get sold
to cutters, they will be identified as "stones with
provenance".
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A cutter participating in the program can have
secure access to the database and augment the rough data
with information on the finished product. The finished
product is then preferrably identified by an optical finger
print or other identification methods such as ion beam
branding or serial number inscription. The system can also
use the optical finger print record which has its own
unique certificate number as the number which is inscribed
or associated with the diamond by the cutter.
The purchaser of the diamond will have the record
information available to him through the INTERNET or other
suitable communication method to verify the authenticity of
the gemstone. A separate copy of the database which is
updated from time to time based on the original database
can be used as the computer source that is accessible for
verification by purchasers. In this way, the original
database is maintained separate from the one that is
commonly available for confirmation purposes. Monitoring
of the database and providing limited access or cost per
access can be provided for security purposes.
The system will have three monitoring stations to
protect the integrity of the brand. The audit trail will
be initiated at the mines sorting facility where the
initial data on the rough cut stones is collected. The
second monitoring station will be at the cutter where the
initial data is augmented with further particulars of the
finished cut stone. The third monitoring station is the
consumer who will verify the authenticity of the stone by
searching of the database. In this way, the end purchaser,
the cutter and the source of the diamond all have
confidence that the particular stone is established as a
green stone and as such is more valuable. Therefore it is
in the interest of the mine, the cutter and the end
consumer that the system work effectively.
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It is believed the ability to prove the true source
of the finished stone will increase the price of the stone,
certainly relative to the same stone with an unproven
heritage.
The system not only allows the assigning of serial
numbers automatically and the recording of the serial
numbers, but it also allows other information to be
associated with the product at the time of mining. For
example, initial information with respect to size, weight,
clarity and other characteristics of the stone can be
recorded. The date of manufacture or the date that the
stone was recorded in the database is also known. In a
particular preferred embodiment of the invention, a digital
record of evaluation scans of the rough cut stone can be
associated with the database. Other techniques for fully
identifying the rough cut stone can be used. These include
X-ray, ramin scattering analysis, unique coatings, or other
recognized identification techniques. Suitable encryption
techniques can also be used.
The present system requires additional recording of
information at the mine and the uploading of this
information to the centralized database maintained by
others. It can also be appreciated that the database is
preferrably, separately maintained relative to the cutters
and mining sources. This provides additional confidence
that the database is trustworthy.
As the size of the diamond or rough cut gemstone
increases, it is apparent that additional expense can be
occurred with respect to the recording of the stone in the
database to provide a higher degree of confidence. The
additional cost associated with the inscription of an
initial unique serial number on a rough cut stone as well
as scanning techniques for confirming the identity of the
rough cut stone can be justified by the mine site as well
as the cutter. For example, for large stones, the mine can
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use a serial number and scanning technique to fully
identify these stones. An additional identification test
record of the rough cut stone or series of records can be
included. This record can be kept separate from the cutter
who upon receipt of the stone and the desire to confirm and
record the subsequent history of the stone will provide the
serial number to the database. The cutter of the stone to
the database before any further steps can be carried out,
tests the rough cut stone and sends the results to the
database. In this way, the database can receive the second
scan and can confirm the identity of the stone based on the
original scan previously provided to the database.
Obviously any other records can also be confirmed, for
example, additional description of the characteristics of
the rough cut stone prior to the cutting. Such additional
security may not be justified for all gemstones but
certainly for certain large valuable stones, additional
steps can be carried out.
After the stone is cut by the cutter, the cutter
can then record the optical finger print in the centralized
database and in any associated databases.
It can be appreciated from the above that the
loading and maintaining of information with respect to the
source of the stone and the characteristics thereof, from
the mine site through the cutting process to the end
consumer, and the marking or otherwise accurate recording
of the actual stone, provides a unique record for each
stone. If a diamond is inscribed with a serial number or
other identification number copied from a similar stone,
there is likely to be certain elements of the audit trail
which can distinguish the fraudulent stone from the actual
stone. For example, the last owner or the date of sale of
the stone accorded a particular serial number can be
provided to a would be purchaser. There could also be
tracking of stones not only to the initial purchaser but
also to subsequent purchasers. For example, with the
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optical finger print method an authorized dealer can
confirm the identity of the stone when it is about to be
sold much in the manner of a title search presently carried
out with respect to land transfer. The details of that
purchase can then be recorded against the stone. Therefore
fraudulent copying of the serial number alone will not be
sufficient. It is also possible to mark a gemstone in a
manner which is difficult to duplicate.
The schematic of Figure 1 illustrates the green
diamond tracking system 2 for recording of data associated
with a gemstone or diamond from the time that it is
initially mined through the diamond cutting process and
including the eventual sale to the public. A mine site 4,
extracts the diamonds and sorts the diamonds at 6 in
preparation for engraving, marking or otherwise identifying
individual diamonds or packages of diamonds. The engraving
is carried out at station 8 and this could include
technology sold by 3 Beams Laser Engraving. Other example
marking techniques include indeligible ink, ion beam
implanting, and applying a unique coating which has
particular characteristics which can be determined at a
later date and matched with recorded information. Any
suitable marking, scanning or identifying techniques can be
used.
This initial information is uploaded via a
communication channel 70 to a world database indicated as
80. This world database will provide the mining source
with a serial number or other information to be recorded
and will also receive from the mining source, information
with respect to the characteristics o.f the rough cut
stones. This information is shown in Figure 2. The
computer screen of Figure 2 shows a diamond record where a
diamond ID is provided at Box 100. Below the diamond ID a
general tab has been initiated and a series of data entry
boxes are available. This includes a cross reference ID
which might be used with respect to the mining source to
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tie their records to the diamond ID record. In addition,
there is a large comment box and information with respect
to the diamond and the mining thereof can be entered.
Below this box there is a work sheet which includes
the batch number, the batch price/carat, and certain
estimates with respect to the possible carat size and
eventual value. The date that the stone was mined can also
be entered. Information particular to the rough cut
diamond is also included. In this case, the shape of the
crystal, crystal colour and clarity, weight of the rough
cut stone and a calculated rough cut price can be entered.
This information once complete is sent to the world
database 100 and entered in that record. If certain
information is not entered, the world database can refuse
to enter the information. In this way, there is an
accurate record of the stone as it was produced at a
particular mine site. Each individual mine site can
include its own identity code and thus, the record is
clearly associated with the mine site. Well known
confirmation methods can be used to confirm the identity of
the mine site during the communication protocol.
After this initial recording of individual stones
or groups of stones the traditional operation process can
continue. This includes a distribution arrangement
indicated as 12 where diamonds are sent to the various
cutters indicated as 20. These cutters will then cut the
particular stones and polish the stones for eventual
distribution to wholesalers 30 or retailers 32.
Figure 3 shows a further computer screen which
allows each cutter 20 to again communicate with the world
database 80. In this case, the manufacturer will take a
particular identified rough cut stone which has now been
cut and add additional information to the record. They
will have a record with the shipment of the diamond of the
diamond ID which can be used to access the world database
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record. Since the diamond has been cut, additional
information can be now entered.
The grading tab has been brought forward in the
computer record and information with respect to shape can
be entered, the weight of the diamond and various diameters
and other characteristics or properties.
Other information with respect to proportions and
symmetry can be entered near the bottom of the screen as
well as information with respect to the girdle, colour,
clarity, cut, polish, etc., all of which can be entered.
The carat size and various pricing information can also be
entered. In addition, the screen includes information with
respect to the login date and the creation of this
particular portion of the diamond record.
As evident from Figures 2 and 3, one diamond record
is produced which includes initial information entered by
the mine site which is then supplemented by information
which is added by the cutter. The record can be locked
after each step such that a cutter cannot change
information with respect to the general information that
was entered by the mine site. Similarly, once the cut
information has been entered, it cannot be changed without
a particular confirmation process being completed. The
system also allows a single source rough cut stone to be
divided to form two records when appropriate safeguards are
provided.
The computer screens of Figures 2 and 3 also allow
for additional tabs with one such additional tab being
shown as GEMPRINT. The GEMPRINT tab allows access to the
optical record of the finished cut stone. As can be
appreciated, other tabs can be provided to the diamond
information record which would allow for other recognized
recording methods. For example, there are systems which
inscribe certain serial numbers or unique symbols on the
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diamonds and there are also unique coating systems which
can be sampled to uniquely identify the stone. Therefore,
additional tabs can be provided for recording of other
information.
With the system, a detailed record of the history
of the diamond is made available. This record can be
accessed through the INTERNET via consumers 40 who can
contact the world database 80. It may be desirable to have
the database effectively duplicated such that the
confirmation by consumers merely contacts a database which
is a read only database. In this way, there is no consumer
direct computer access to the original world database.
Other security arrangements can also be made. As can be
appreciated, there can be security sign on provisions for
any of the individual cutters or mine sites such that the
integrity of the world database is maintained.
In addition,~the world database can allow for
recording of records of other systems. One such other
system is shown as the GEMPRINT database 50 which is
connected to the world database. In this way, a
centralized system can be developed where different types
of reporting methods can be centralized in the world
database and linking of different information is possible.
In some cases, a diamond record that does not have the
complete history but does have a particular serial number,
can have this record recorded in the world database 80.
The world database 80 can also be accessible to police or
insurance companies indicated as 60, for identifying
recovered gemstones. This provides a single database that
can be searched for any recorded diamonds which have a
particular recording information established on the
diamond. In addition, although perhaps a particular
database source does not wish to have their records entered
on the world database, an individual purchaser could make
an arrangement with a particular qualified wholesaler or
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retailer to have that number recorded in the world database
on his behalf.
The present system also allows for verification of
certain characteristics of the stones. For example, if a
individual consumer was concerned with respect to
characteristics or quality of the stone, he can access the
database directly and receive the information that was
recorded by the original cutter. In this way, the
purchaser has a way to receive confirmation that the
individual characteristics of the stone are being properly
described by the seller.
Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the
individual mine site as well as the cutters and the
eventual wholesalers and retailers, all have an interest in
having green diamonds or gemstones effectively recorded in
the centralized database. Most purchasers would prefer to
purchase a diamond that has not been used to fund conflict.
Given that diamonds are often associated with gifts to
celebrate particular events in one's life, it is important
that the history of the diamond be appropriate and not
tainted by its past.
The diamonds recorded in the system will have an
audit trail which is trustworthy. Large diamonds over a
particular size, perhaps two carats, are preferrably
individually indexed and an identification number is laser
engraved on the surface or other marking provided on the
rough cut diamond. The characteristics of the diamond such
as weight, shape, clarity, colour, are uploaded to the
global database and locked. As the diamonds are sold to
cutters, they are identified as stones with provenance. A
cutter participating in the program can have secure access
to the database and augment the rough data with information
on the finished product. The finished diamond is then
identified using recognized techniques such as those
offered by GEMPRINT or Ion Beam branding, or other
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recognized companies. A certificate of origin can be
issued as well as a certificate with respect to the
properties of the diamond.
Once a green diamond is sold at the consumer level,
the buyer can verify its authenticity using an available
computer connection.
The present system has been described with respect
to the audit trail of green diamond to provide confidence
and certificates to the consumer regarding the origin of
stones and the characteristic of particular stones. The
system can also provide a separate database of stones which
have known questionable origins. Therefore, in some
circumstances it may be desirable to not only recognize
green diamonds but also be capable of recognizing diamonds
which have questionable backgrounds. In some cases,
diamonds that have been proven to be of a particular source
could be separately marked, whereby future buyers are aware
of the history of the stone.
As can be appreciated, the present invention is
directed to the tracking of diamonds and the recording of
pertinent information with respect to diamonds. This has
particular application with respect to the green branding
of diamonds and providing a history with respect to a
finished product.
Although various preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been described herein in detail, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that
variations may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
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