Inconsistencies in "The French Blue and the Hope"
Letters  Gem & Gemology  Summer 2009

In their article presenting a new model of the French Blue (Spring G&G, pp. 4–19), Farges et al. used a newly discovered lead cast to confirm the possibility of the Hope diamond being cut from the French Blue. During their research, they created a three-dimensional model of the cast based on the shadow projections obtained by an Octonus Helium Rough 1:4 scanner operated by Matrix Diamond Technology. The dimensions of the model are 30.37 x 25.50 x 12.87 mm, which match those of the lead cast within 20 microns accuracy. (This model is available at www.octonus.com/oct/projects/frenchblue.phtml.)

From my analysis of the 3D model, I disagree with some of the statements made in the article...

Read Inconsistencies in "The French Blue and the Hope" from Gem & Gemology

Oxygen Microscope and Oxygen Inclusion 2.5

New versions of Oxygen software are available for download.

What is new in the Oxygen:

1. New context based interface for creating inclusions
• Example of working with new context based interface. Creating a new inclusion
• Tools for creating inclusions contours are available in Scene
2. Inclusion selection tool
3. Small interface improvements
   • Inclusion numbering for every type of inclusions
   • Different names for different types of cracks, flat and curved
   • Changing status for several inclusions and deleting several
     inclusions are available in the inclusion list
   • Search inclusions panel for cracks
   • Adding precise contour into deep points without switching between Microscope camera and Photo view mode
   • Creating a Deep point or its precise contour by mouse click in
     Scene in place where you want to create it
   • Changing photo sets of HR photos without changing number of photos
   • Effects
   • Auto Exposure
4. New type of inclusions Cloud
5. Creating hole by photos from Helium Rough
6. New Blind method for creating Cracks
7. HDR photorealistic diamond and inclusions visualization
8. Autosave file option

More details >>

Download Oxygen Microscope 2.5
Download Oxygen Inclusion 2.5

Diamond Calculator 3.2 demo version

You may have tried to explain the benefits of DiamCalc to friends and associates. There is a powerful free demo version. It is available for download here

The demo version contains three examples:

• Marquise – parametric cut demo
• Cushion – vivid color demo
• Crack – inclusions demo

The Demo enables all HDR rendering features for the limited included examples.

Please read the detail descriptions of new possiblities and restrictions in the DiamCalc 3.2 Demo version

Restriction of Demo version: files can not be saved and loaded, but the marquise proportions can be adjusted to see how DiamCalc can benefit colour enhancement by controlling the cut. The brilliant that demonstrates the Inclusion viewer however does not enable proportions to be changed.

Helium Rough & Pacor Client 4.55

Helium Rough and Pacor Client 4.55 are available for download.

What is new in the software:

1. New batch laser marking mode
2. New safety laser marking option
3. Checking shift of stone position during scanning and marking
4. Optimization algorithms are improved
5. Inclusions textures on photorealistic images
6. Export set of burning lines into separate file *.bdl from Pacor Client and mark it on Helium Rough

The detail descriptions of new features of Helium Rough and Pacor Client

Download Helium Rough
Download Pacor Client

Helium Polish 4.51

What is new in the program:

• New parameters: Radius, Crown height at Bone and Pavilion depth at Bone
• Girdle sides and Internal angles output into reports for straight ages fancies
• Extra facets for girdle, crown and pavilion
• Illustrated report for step cuts
• Small improvements in marquise construction

The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

Download Helium Polish
Download Helium Polish templates of reports

Dear Partners & Customers,

Our phone in Moscow Office + 7 (495) 545 5719 is changed.
Please use the new phone number + 7 (495) 639 9384

Helium Polish 4.49

New features of the program: New cuts Cushion, Radiant and Square Radiant are constructed by Helium Polish Girdle sides and girdle internal angles are available for princesses, step cuts, radiants, square radiants and others New Algorithm for Automatic control of holder height Accuracy of defining the directions of minimum and maximum diameters is increased The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

GemAdviser free version 2.0

What is new in the program:

• High Dynamic Range images and movies
• Two new lighting presets (HDR):
  • HDR Default Lighting
  • HDR Disco II
• Support for new external cuts (dll modules)

More details >>

Download GemAdviser

3DBook free

Diamond 3DBook free full version is available on our web-site.

Diamond 3DBook is a computer interactive tutorial that involves extensive information on working with diamonds: from the physical background determining the unique properties of these stones to the modern worldwide system of diamond trade.

3DBook is designed for training diamond specialists and raising the level of their skills. The capability of interactive diamond modeling and the availability of extensive reference data make Diamond 3D Book a useful tool in everyday work of gemologists, appraisers, Certification Centers, gemstone cutters, gemological labs and institutes, manufacturers and sellers of diamonds and jewelry made of these.

Helium Rough & Pacor Client 4.37

Helium Rough and Pacor Client 4.37 are released.

New features of the programs:

1. New parameters for recognition
2. Rough models resembling
3. New interface for Marking-out panel
4. Scroll-bar for cutting list
5. Differently colored inclusions output into pictures of rough reports
6. Optimization algorithms are improved. New algorithms 08.Single and 08.Single.Flex are available
7. Laser marking control of hardware is improved
8. Laser marking offset for girdle form marking
9. Angle & azimuth info of allocated diamonds with respect to its table
10. Custom cuttings in Rough Classification panel are saved in mmd file
11. New option for Optimization task list
12. New optimization methods are added into the Small stone process
13. Fixed bug

The detail descriptions of new features of Helium Rough and Pacor Client

Oxygen XRay 2.3

New version of Oxygen XRay is released.

The new version of XRay software creates 3D models directly from X-Ray data. In the previous version creating 3D models were possible only via import Ctan 3D STL models.

New features of the program:

• Creating 3D model of rough and inclusions manually or automatically from X-Ray data
• New interface for checking, adding and removing inclusions

Oxygen XRay Step by Step Instruction (PDF)
XRay project sample*

To download Oxygen XRay please contact us

*To view oxg files you can use Oxygen Viewer Free Version and Oxygen Inclusion

Synthetic Appeal

Many diamantaires believe that synthetic diamonds pose a risk to consumer confidence — because "fakes" might be passed off unethically as natural diamonds — and that high-end consumers will never choose a synthetic diamond anyway. But what if man-made diamonds created their own new markets by developing a niche in exclusive luxury goods?

Read Letter to the Editor from Rapaport Diamond Report.

Helium Rough & Pacor Client 4.33

Helium Rough and Pacor Client 4.33 are released.

New features of the programs:

1. Optimization algorithms are improved
2. New version 1.2 of DLL cuttings is developed for more fast optimization
3. Four diamonds in solution are displayed in Marking Out panel
4. Records of inclusion quantity in the TXT report
5. Short shape`s names in Marking Out and full name in the Parameter panels
6. New recognition
7. Bound Swim for All layers
8. Open mmd files with duplicated cuttings without using CopyCutting command
9. New Helium Polish AnyCut report is available for optimized cuts. It can be used for all supported cuts: internal, ASCII, DLL, unknown cuts etc

The detail descriptions of new features of Helium Rough and Pacor Client
Download DLL cuttings

Oxygen Viewer 1.5

New version of Oxygen Viewer is available for download.

What is new in the Oxygen Viewer Free Version:

• The clarity mini-report is improved in the Inclusions in polished mode
• Full parameters list panel with the Cut grade, Clarity and Color is available
• JPEG format is supported
• Projects with huge amount of inclusions opens faster in new version
• Correct displaying of diamonds allocated with CopyCutting command

Download Oxygen Viewer Free Version 1.5

Oxygen Microscope and Oxygen Inclusion 2.3

New versions of Oxygen software are available for download.

What is new in the Oxygen:

• Creating Curved cracks
• Creating 3D Inclusions
• Constructing of Point inclusions is improved
• Auto focus
• Automatic shot for the new inclusion contour
• Crosshair & Pear button
• Inclusion contour selection windows updates
• Focus movement control is improved for MBox with OctoNus motor

Helium Polish 4.29

Helium Polish 4.29 is released. New updates of the program: Constructing of some round fancy model created by asc sample is improved Triangle door pointer is available on pictures in the report New estimations of Width and Length in the Heart report Ratio L/W and Girdle ratio Crown main and corner angles, Pavilion main and corner angles are available for Radiant Parameters Corner width / length in the report for StepCut New behavior of stone weight input in the scanning process

The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

Helium Polish 4.23

Helium Polish 4.23 is released. Features of the new version: New universal report for unknown and any cuts is available (if you create a cutting by asc sample use Unknown Report type) Facets angles, azimuths and other are displayed on Scene Girdle symmetry picture and diagram are improved Girdle facets angles and azimuths are available for brilliants and rounded fancies HTML report for Step Cut Autosave STL option

Girdle asymmetry (left picture) and Recommendation for removing (right picture)

The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

Oxygen XRay

New Oxygen XRay software is released.

The Oxygen XRay is a software developed to work with 3D models created by CTan program, SkyScan system. The CTan program uses X-Ray data and creates STL 3D model of rough and its inclusions manually or automatically. Oxygen XRay software loads 3D models, allows to analyze inclusions, allocates diamonds and evaluates prices of solutions.

Main features of the program:

• Import CTan STL 3D models and inclusions
• Reduce STL model complexity and convert to Oxygen files
• Check and remove incorrect inclusions
• Define any type of inclusions
• Allocate diamonds
• Explore diamond cutting solutions
• Evaluate prices of the different possible solutions and quality of the polished diamonds

Oxygen XRay Step by Step Instruction (PDF)

Oxygen Microscope and Oxygen Inclusion 2.2

New Oxygen software is available for download.

What is new in the programs:

• Improved image managing, jpg format supported
• Using Logitech MX Revolution mouse to work with MBox
• Creation nonconvex holes is supported
• Support for new types of MBoxes Z6 Apoa and Z16 Apoa
• Fixed bug

Helium Rough & Pacor Client 4.21

Helium Rough and Pacor Client 4.21 are released.

New features of the programs:

1. Scanned photos are saved and loaded in Jpeg format
2. New parameters for ASC diamonds

The detail descriptions and example of new report

Commoditization of Diamonds

Why are diamonds – the ultimate luxury product – losing out so badly to other luxury goods? Is it because other luxury industries (expensive cars, high fashion, yachts, etc,) are innovative with smart branding and customization?

Diamonds are evolving into a traditional business with little innovation.

Since the 1940’s "A Diamond is Forever" established diamonds as necessities. But now "diamond the luxury" has become "diamond the commodity". We need to change this perception and make diamonds individual and unique again ...

Read Letter to the Editor from Rapaport Diamond Report.

Helium Polish 4.19

Helium Polish 4.19 is released.

New updates of the program:

• Girdle asymmetry estimation for rounded fancies
• Girdle angles and azimuths are available for triangles,emeralds and radiants
• Automatic detection of star facets for semipolished round brilliant is included
• Facets marking for rounded fancies is improved

The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

2nd International Diamond Cut Conference

We are glad to announce that the 2nd International Diamond Cut Conference (IDCC-2) will take place in Switzerland in spring 2009.

Please visit IDCC-2 page at http://idcc2.octonus.com for more information.

Helium Polish

Helium Polish 4.17 is released.

New updates of the program:

• New parameters for Step Cut / Triangle
• Parameters of curve, head, point and wing facets and illustrations are available in reports for polished rounded fancies
• Facets marking algorithm is improved
• Colour of pictures in reports and export data is defined in INI files
• The same names of reports used in a title of report, template file name and in the Helium program

The detail descriptions and examples of new reports

New Oxygen releases

Oxygen Microscope 2.1, Oxygen Inclusion 2.1 and Oxygen Viewer 1.4 are available for download.

New features of Oxygen Microscope / Inclusion:

• New tool Locate Inclusion
• Blind method for creating Point inclusions
• Automatic focus on Point Inclusion
• Cross bar is displayed in the Inclusion contour selection panel
• Real deviation of an inclusion localization is displayed

New features of Oxygen Viewer:

• Oxygen Viewer does not require a registration now. Just download, install and run the program
• Photoreal mode is available
• Inclusions are displayed on the surface of diamonds in the new Inclusion in polished mode

Computer modeling of gemstones for improvement of their color appearance

There are many cases when a better cut can reveal a better color of a gemstone, and many cases when a gemstone’s appearance has some flaws because of its cut. Unlike diamond, colored gemstones cutting allows for a lot more freedom. A cutter can choose among many shapes, facet patterns and proportion sets. The primary goal for a cutter is to achieve the best possible color and to reveal the potential of every piece of rough material. Because of the complicated nature of interaction between light and gemstone facets, every facet matters. Cutting mistakes can become evident only after the last facet is polished. Today many commercially available colored stones have various optical flaws in their appearance. That is why cutters are looking for a way to predict the optimal appearance of future gemstone’s ...

Read new article Computer modeling of gemstones for improvement of their color appearance

Trade-in old technology rough diamond scanners for new clarity planning scanners

Rapid technological change has caught Indian cutters sitting on old technology rough diamond scanners. OctoNus clarity planning scanners, M-Box™ and Helium™, have made old technology scanners redundant. However manufacturers cannot justify throwing their earlier investments on the scrap heap. But they face losing money to competitors who upgraded to the OctoNus technology that optimizes included rough. Those competitors can pay more for the rough, and with African beneficiation schemes, there is a shortage of bigger rough in the market...

Lexus and OctoNus are offering Indian manufacturers a 50% rebate on today’s current sale value for Sarin rough laser scanners based on a seven year depreciation schedule. This generous offer holds until the end of October 2007.

More details
 

Welcome to our Cuts Gallery!

Designer Cuts gallery
DiamCalc Internal Cuts gallery
External Cuts gallery (Dll)

External cut module is a dynamic link library (DLL) that holds the geometry structure of one or several cuts and contains necessary geometrical calculations. These cut modules you can use while allocation in Pacor Client / Helium Rough Software.

Visible adsorption spectra and DiamCalc-files of colored gem materials are available for download.

Spectral data was obtained with SF-56A spectrophotometer in the 370 - 770 nm range, 1 nm step in Moscow State University Gemological Center. Spectra were recorded through two opposite parallel windows of the sample in room temperature.

Corresponding absorption spectra used for modeling are available in the Microsoft Excel format.

DiamCalc-files of colored gem materials allow to create in DiamCalc your own colour gemstones of corundum, topaz, zirconium, color fancy diamonds and etc.

Helium Polish 4.0 is released.

The new updates:

1. Parameters of curve, head, point and wing facets are available in the semipolished report
2. Fixed bug. Not correct culet center in Emerald cutting

More details and example of new report

New DiamCalc 3.0 is released.

What is new in the program:

• High Dynamic Range movies and images created with High Dynamic Range panoramas and real observers
  • Bloom effect
  • Lighting panorama with high dynamic range (HDR)
  • Lighting with generated panorama (zones and light sources)
  • Paper sheet environment
  • Observer model
• ETAS images
• Cut Designer builds variable models
• Added Natural Diamond and Cubic Zirconia to the list of materials for setting refraction in Gem properties
• Added the GIA PCT 2006 appraiser for Brilliant cut

Press Release. DiamCalc 3.0 and DiamCalc 3.0 Pro launched by OctoNus

Download Documentation