A Sydney company’s technology has won the heart of the world diamond industry, where it is being used to monitor thousands of precious gems, Minister for State and Regional Development Ian Macdonald said. Magellan Technology’s electronic tracking technology has been installed in one of the world’s top diamond grading houses, the HRD Antwerp Institute of Gemmology, he explained.
“HRD Antwerp is one of the world’s most respected diamond testing and certification labs in the recognised centre of the international diamond business in Belgium,” Macdonald said. “Magellan’s technology is being used by HRD Antwerp to accurately monitor thousands of precious stones that pass through its testing and grading processes. Sydney technology is providing complete security for millions of dollars worth of gems in one of the world’s most exclusive industries.”
The NSW government has helped Magellan Technology with export support through its Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) program, and the company was a finalist in this year’s ATS Patrons Award for export success. Magellan teamed with Netherlands firm Scanology to install its technology at HRD Antwerp.
Scanology developed and built inventory software to integrate with HRD Antwerp’s software. “Magellan’s tracking technology uses a unique type of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology developed in Sydney, called ‘Phase Jitter Modulation’,” Macdonald explained.
“It allows RFID tags to be quickly and accurately read in three dimensions, providing 100% traceability of all diamonds which are stacked close together. Diamonds are placed in a small box fitted with an electronic tag so they can be automatically scanned and tracked using high frequency radio waves as they move through HRD Antwerp’s various grading processes.
“Magellan says its technology delivers accurate identification up to 10 times faster than other RFID technologies.”
