The world’s leading diamond company, De Beers, has announced its acquisition of a 33.4 percent equity in Synova, a Swiss company that manufactures and supplies patent-protected laser micro-jet technology that is revolutionising diamond-cutting methods.

“The transaction supports De Beers’ strategy of developing technologies that support and enhance the long term value of diamonds,” De Beers Group said in a statement yesterday.

Synova’s patented laser micro-jet cutting technology is said to have drastically changed the diamond industry by presenting the industry with cutting methods that present less diamond carat weight loss, prevent breakages of diamond stone during cutting, while the final stones are smoother compared to those cut by using traditional methods.

“This investment is another example of our continued commitment to technology. We have had great success with our technologies related to rough diamond sorting, inscription and grading for the Forevermark programme and synthetic detection. We believe this new cutting technology has the potential to play an important role in the diamond industry, as efficiency becomes even more important for diamantaires,” said Philippe Mellier, the chief executive officer of De Beers Group.

De Beers did not give the value of the transaction but Synova said the new partnership underlines Synova’s commitment to the diamond industry. “It will strengthen the company and provide solid ground for Synova’s other core business units of semiconductors and metal machining,” Synova said.

“The innovative technology has the potential to help diamantaires achieve higher yields, reduce the risk of damage to stress stones and generate higher throughput due to faster cutting time and easier processing,” De Beers said.

“The new partnership with a major market player like De Beers will not only help ensure Synova’s long-term growth, it will also provide Synova with a unique opportunity to further improve market penetration of the LMJ technology in the diamond-processing industry worldwide and to be close to the business,” said the chief executive of Synova, Dr Bernold Richerzhagen.