Headlines

De Beers: We Offer Greater Accuracy in Diamond Grading

Published

9 years ago

April 5, 2016

INSTORE Staff

Company claims more consistency with “very tight technological approach.”

In February, De Beers’ International Institute of Diamond Grading and Research (IIDGR) launched a diamond grading program, entering “what arguably is the most contentious space in the diamond distribution chain where concerns have grown over grading consistency and standards, or lack thereof, in the past few years,” Rapaport writes. Speaking with the diamond industry news outlet, IIDGR President Jonathan Kendall claimed that the grading program offers greater accuracy and consistency thanks to its “very tight technological approach to grading in which there is a significant human involvement.” He elaborates:

“Our approach also ensures that a grader cannot trace the goods back to a certain client, which might introduce bias in the grading. It takes time and we want to make sure that we don’t stretch ourselves. The key thing for us is to deliver what we promise and the service meets the industry’s requirements. We’re not looking for ridiculous growth. We want to build a solid base and continue to develop over a number of years.”

Read the rest of the interview at Rapaport

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.