Blockchain tech is making diamond sourcing more accountable, and major players from the GIA to luxury brands are hopping on the chain
![Radical transparency? Blockchain tech is making diamond sourcing more accountable – and major players from the Gemological Institute of America, to Chow Tai Fook and De Beers are getting involved. Photo: Reuters](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/768x768/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/10/669e7358-08b2-4be5-a43f-72c64f2820f4_bda4c71c.jpg?itok=_taOqpf1&v=1720585670)
- The Gemological Institute of America partnered with blockchain platform Tracr and digital registry Everledger – the latter also partnered with Chow Tai Fook
- Tiffany & Co. launched limited edition digital and physical CryptoPunk pendants, incorporating elements of transparency, authenticity and gamification afforded by the blockchain
Tracr CEO Wesley Tucker said the private Ethereum platform leverages distributed ledger technology to provide an automated, permanent record of each diamond’s provenance journey from mine to retail.
![Tiffany & Co. NFTiff pendant featuring one of the 10,000 CryptoPunk characters. Photo: @TiffanyAndCo/X Tiffany & Co. NFTiff pendant featuring one of the 10,000 CryptoPunk characters. Photo: @TiffanyAndCo/X](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/10/9f4b1434-82d0-44dd-a72a-b02398a303b2_025718a6.jpg)
“Scalability is supported by each user having their own ‘instance’ of the platform, which can be customised to their individual needs,” said Tucker.
“Our cloud infrastructure and API technology make integration seamless, and allow the platform to scale by automating data capture.”
Tracr has since onboarded key industry players – including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Sarine Tech (which develops technologies for the diamond industry) and RapNet (which markets itself as the No 1 online trading network for diamonds and jewellery) – to its growing ecosystem. The platform assigns each diamond a unique digital ID, allowing retailers and consumers to access the stone’s provenance details.
![Blockchain has the unrivalled potential to strengthen provenance and build customer trust – important factors when it comes to ultra-rare and extremely valuable gems, such as this 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond. Photo: Sam Tsang Blockchain has the unrivalled potential to strengthen provenance and build customer trust – important factors when it comes to ultra-rare and extremely valuable gems, such as this 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond. Photo: Sam Tsang](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/06/25/87744172-f792-4c17-9f1c-783d706997b9_812028c5.jpg)
According to a 2023 Delta Global study of over 2,000 Asia-Pacific luxury consumers, 93 per cent are willing to support or spend more on luxury brands that actively promote sustainability initiatives.