Antwerp, April 20, 2009 — HRD Antwerp NV and Lexus, the Surat-based expert in diamond processing machinery manufacturing and technology development, have developed a special joint training programme to assist diamond cutters and designers in creating their own unique diamond cuts.

As the diamond manufacturer’s margins have eroded substantially in the last decade, the diamond industry needs to sharpen their skill with more creativity to optimise profit margins.

 The aim of the training programme is to help designers to differentiate their diamond from the diamonds available next door and to understand the process of designing and performance optimizing. Also the necessary skill of understanding the light performance will be imparted.

The ‘Cut Designing & Analysis’ course will be given in Antwerp, from June 22-26, 2009, and includes the following topics : understanding the optical properties of diamond, understanding the process flow of designing a new cut, understanding Cut Designer in Diamond Calculator, Generation of XML and ASC file, understanding HDR and ETAS, viewing the polish under various structured lighting, designing standard popular cuts, designing special cuts and optimizing them for performance, preparing ASC file for allocation in rough diamonds, report printing and manufacturing guidelines.

For more information on the training program: HRD Antwerp – Education

Tel: + 32.3.222.07.09 – E-mail: education@hrdantwerp.be

  * * * *

HRD Antwerp NV is the subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the private foundation formerly known as the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD).  HRD Antwerp operates six services : Diamond Lab, the first ISO-certified diamond lab, which issues one of the world’s most  respected diamond certificates; Precious Stones Lab; Education; Graduates Club; Equipment and Research. HRD Antwerp - Diamond Lab is NBN EN ISO/IEC 17025- certified.

(a) Registration @ HRD, Antwerp , Philip Claes/Katrien, +32 (0)3 222 06 11, +32(0)3 222 0505 / Fax +32 (0)3 222 06 99,+32(0) 496 455 680

(b) Maximum nos. of Participants (only 20)  First Come First Serve.. Please hurry up for registration.