London: The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of The De Beers Group of Companies, yesterday unveiled its next generation automated melee screening instrument. The AMS2 will provide diamantaires with a more efficient and cost-effective diamond verification technology solution for melee-sized diamonds.

Around 10-times faster than its predecessor and with a substantially reduced referral rate, the AMS2 has the ability to process smaller sizes and all shapes of polished diamonds. It will cost US$45,000, cheaper than the first generation AMS.

Available from June 2017, the new device will be unveiled at this week’s International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show in Hong Kong.

The AMS2 was developed by De Beers’ in-house research and development team, which also created the broader suite of diamond verification technology sold by IIDGR, including DiamondView™, DiamondSure™ and PhosView™.