AI Optical Symmetry Grading for Loose Diamond Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating optical symmetry in diamonds, a crucial factor in cut quality, are inadequate for online diamond purchases as they require physical examination and are not standardized by major gemological laboratories, leaving consumers without accurate information.

Innovation Solution

An automated system using a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on a curated database of pre-graded diamond images to analyze optical symmetry from digital images, identifying facet patterns and assigning grades based on symmetry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical examination with magnifying loupe is used to grade optical symmetry, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical symmetry grading accuracyVSAvoidphysical examination equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital images of diamonds as copies of the physical stones to evaluate optical symmetry. Instead of requiring physical examination with magnifying loupes, the system analyzes high-resolution digital images that capture the facet patterns and symmetry characteristics, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the need for complex physical examination equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical examination with a magnifying loupe by using computational image analysis. The system processes digital images through algorithms that detect and evaluate symmetry patterns, substituting the mechanical visual inspection process with an automated computational approach that achieves equivalent or superior precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual grading by experienced gemologists is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical symmetry grading accuracyVSAvoidgrading speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service grading by allowing consumers to evaluate diamond optical symmetry independently through automated image analysis. The consumer can upload digital images of diamonds and receive objective symmetry grades without requiring expert gemologists, thereby maintaining precision while significantly improving productivity and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the manual grading process performed by experienced gemologists with an automated computational system. The system uses image processing algorithms to objectively evaluate optical symmetry, eliminating human time constraints and increasing grading speed while maintaining consistent, bias-free precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If hearts and arrows scope is used to analyze optical symmetry, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical symmetry analysis accuracyVSAvoidanalytic scope equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses standard digital images as substitutes for the specialized hearts and arrows scope imagery. Instead of requiring consumers to access expensive analytic scope equipment, the system works with readily available digital photographs that capture the necessary optical symmetry information, maintaining precision while dramatically reducing equipment complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the expensive, specialized hearts and arrows scope with ordinary digital imaging technology. The patent demonstrates that standard digital photographs can serve the same evaluative function, making the solution more accessible and economically viable for consumers while maintaining adequate measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If major gemological laboratories grade diamonds based on proportions and physical symmetry, then reliability is improved, but loss of information occurs regarding optical symmetry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut quality grading trustworthinessVSAvoidoptical symmetry data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cut quality evaluation into distinct components: proportions, physical symmetry, and optical symmetry. By treating optical symmetry as a separate, independently gradeable attribute rather than subsuming it within existing categories, the system maintains the reliability of established grading methods while adding comprehensive optical symmetry information that was previously lost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250356519A1System and method for evaluating the optical symmetry of loose diamonds

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 CANERA VICTOR

AI summary

According to one embodiment, there is presented herein a method of automatically evaluating the optical symmetry of a loose diamond. In more particular, the instant invention utilizes an AI system that has been trained using a curated database of optically graded diamond images to recognize degrees of optical symmetry. Images of other diamonds can then be presented to the trained AI system in order to obtain an estimate of an optical symmetry grade of the pictured diamond.