AI Case Study
Gemological Institute of America predicts with 90% accuracy a diamond's grade from camera images using neural networks in partnership with IBM Research
The Gemological Institute of America is developing an AI program in partnership with IBM's Crypto Anchor Verifier which uses 2D images taken from a camera to analyse the grade of diamonds, and ultimately link this analysis to records on a blockchain to verify a gem's provenance.
Industry
Basic Materials
Mining And Metals
Project Overview
The Gemological Institute of America is working with IBM’s Crypto Anchor Verifier, a "technology that can scan a substance or object to capture its optical pattern. AI and machine learning techniques including neural networks and video analytics play an important role in recognizing the optical characteristics of a substance, liquid or object including its color, motion, viscosity and hue saturation. Models are trained with this data so they can predict the material or constituents of a substance they’re presented with. This innovative technology is a natural partner to blockchain technology, an immutable digital ledger that records transactions in a public or private peer-to-peer network. IBM’s Crypto Anchor Verifier solution can be used to capture the optical signature from an original, uncompromised item and subsequently record it on the blockchain, which can verify throughout the supply chain that the item hasn’t been tampered with.
GIA is currently testing the Verifier software to apply this exciting innovation to diamond grading by capturing and creating 3D model images of diamonds, analyzing their characteristics and predicting their clarity grade. In the future, GIA will explore expanding access to this grading capability to retailers as part of their mission to protect consumers and ensure they trust in diamonds. This could take the form of retailer applications that allow individuals to verify a diamond’s grade and authenticity to provide further confidence for the consumer and protect the integrity of GIA reports. GIA also hopes to integrate this solution to the blockchain by creating and adding records on diamonds that ensure transparency and verifiability for the gems throughout their journey from manufacturer to consumer."
Reported Results
"AI models trained to predict a diamond’s grade have performed with accuracy levels (within one grade) of more than 90 percent in the developmental phase using 2D images."
Technology
"The software combines AI trained on optical signatures with image-processing techniques."
Function
R And D
Core Research And Development
Background
"The objects and substances that we buy, wear, eat or use every day all have their own unique optical patterns, sometimes undetectable by the human eye, that differentiate them from each other. These patterns can distinguish an organic ear of corn from a genetically modified one, or identify impurities in diamonds, for example. Optical characteristics can be measured using light spectrometers, an instrument used to measure properties of light, but they are quite bulky and expensive, limiting their utility. Use of optical analytics for object identification in real-world circumstances demands a more adaptable tool. IBM Research recently developed a powerful, portable optical analyzer, small enough to use with a cell phone camera. GIA is recognized as the inventor of the famous 4Cs of diamond quality—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight—and the International Diamond Grading System™ recognized globally as the standard for diamond quality. The Institute is dedicated to ensuring public trust in gems and jewelry through its pursuit of research, education and standards-based gem identification and grading services."
Benefits
Data
2D images of diamonds