Blockchain is a shared digital ledger that stores data. It comprises many blocks of data that link together and are accessible by multiple people through a network of computers. It is a digital record of financial transactions, contracts, certificates, and other kinds of data.
Different industries across the world and in India are using blockchain technology. It allows for more secure and efficient transactions as well as tracking goods and supply chains.
Blockchain is also increasingly being used in the minerals and diamond industry, which faces issues with the authenticity, certification, and quality of goods.
What are the Certifying Issues Faced in the Diamond and Minerals Industry?
The diamonds and minerals industry faces issues with the sourcing or origins of diamonds and minerals as well as the grading (quality) and the authenticity of certificates.
Sourcing and Origins
Unethical sourcing of diamonds and minerals is a common issue. Illegal practices in mining and supply chains are common.
The claimed origins of a diamond are often difficult to verify, even though its origins affect its value. For example, whether a diamond has been mined or grown in a lab must be verifiable.
Credibility of Information
Diamonds and minerals travel a long journey in their supply chain and go through multiple intermediaries. There are paper documents required at different stages of the supply chain.
In the middle of all this, verifying the authenticity of information about the diamond and minerals becomes difficult. In terms of diamonds, important information would include details about:
Certificates of Quality
Certification plays an important role because sourcing and grading affect the ultimate value of diamonds and minerals.
For high-value minerals, in particular, the quality attributes determine their value. Qualities like clarity and purity affect the price of a diamond as well as consumer trust in the company.
A certificate of clarity and a certificate of purity is very important. This is why credibility is so important to the diamond industry.
Authenticity of Certificates
Certificates are often difficult to verify because they can be forged and can be issued by a person who is not authorized to do so. Fraudulent practices and lack of transparency are common issues faced in the diamond and mineral industry.
Trust becomes an important factor in the diamond industry as companies try to establish that their diamonds can be trusted. Many major players in these industries are using blockchain technology to resolve issues related to the authenticity and quality of diamonds and minerals and the credibility of certificates.
How Can Blockchain Help?
Blockchain technology can play an important role in improving transparency and reliability in the diamond and minerals industry.
A Reliable Digital Record
The data stored in a blockchain cannot be tampered with, and the history of records cannot be altered. Since it is not owned by any single entity and is accessible to all the stakeholders involved, blockchain acts as a decentralized and secure record of data.
In this way, the stated qualities or certificates of the diamonds and minerals can be made more credible.
Tracking and Shared Verification
At each stage of the supply chain, the stakeholder involved can update information and certificates on the blockchain about the diamonds or minerals as they pass through their custody.
They can also verify the qualities certified by other parties on the blockchain and point out if there is a discrepancy. This allows the different parties involved to benefit from timely sharing of information by the person responsible for it as well as shared verification of authenticity.
In this way, blockchain technology creates a secure "digital mirror" for a diamond that records its physical qualities and custody.
Digital Identification
Blockchain also has a digital signature technology that can identify and verify the person who provides a certificate or updates any information on the blockchain.
For example, when a certified producer (mine) or manufacturer places a diamond transaction on a blockchain, it has a private digital signature. This helps prevent an unauthorized or fraudulent person from claiming to be a certified manufacturer or producer. This also improves the authenticity of certificates.
If a certifier or auditor certifies a quality on the blockchain, they can be identified with their signature. This helps prevent an unauthorized person from giving a certificate under the guise of being a certifier.
Wrapping Up
By increasing the transparency and reliability of certifications, blockchain technology can increase the value of diamonds and minerals. It can support the credibility of companies that follow standards and differentiate them in the market.
This can encourage players in the diamond and minerals markets to improve their credibility and strengthen their brand value.
Blockchain can further encourage the consumption of diamond and mineral products by providing a basis for better trust and accountability. Given the various uses of blockchain, India has also seen an increase in blockchain use in this industry.
In these ways, blockchain technology has the potential to play a crucial role in the diamond and mineral industries and transform its workability in various directions.
