WTOCD (Antwerp Scientific Research Centre for Diamonds) in collaboration with HRD Antwerp unveiled the M-Screen, a new automatic melee screening device, at the Hong Kong show yesterday. The device is described as a superfast, automated, high capacity melee screening device that screens round brilliant diamonds from 1 point to 20 points for potential lab grown diamonds, potential HPHT colour enhanced diamonds and simulants.

The M-Screen automatically feeds, screens and sorts out round brilliant diamonds at a speed of minimum two diamonds per second (7.200 diamonds per hour). Depending on the size of the stones and the size of the batch, the speed can be as high as a staggering 18.000 diamonds per hour, the organisations said.

The compact table top model is based on the short wave UV light tehnology and has shown reliable and consistent results, they added.

Yves Kerremans, Director of WTOCD and head of the project said, “It’s important that all natural, lab grown diamonds, simulants and HPHT treated diamonds are identified in order to sustain trust throughout the diamond pipeline. It is our mission to service the diamond trade and industry by offering assistance in the development, selection and implementation of new technologies resulting in top quality products such as the M-screen.”

Marc Thomassen, Chief Equipment Officer HRD Antwerp, adds, “We’re extremely excited about the launch of the M-Screen as this will undoubtedly prove to be a game changing screening solution for melee goods within any industrial environment.”

In addition to the commercialization of the M-Screen, HRD Antwerp is currently also looking into providing a new melee screening service in its lab in Antwerp using the M-Screen. For larger lab grown diamonds which are submitted for certification under disclosed conditions, HRD Antwerp issues a Laboratory Grown Diamond Certificate.