American Gem Society Laboratories launched its new Visual Proportion Analyzer (VPA) software programme, at its annual Conclave held on April 27, in Miami. The program is designed for private use by both consumers and trade members. It comes free of cost.

The software functions to calculate and graphically display the cutting precision of the levels or tiers of like facets on a standard round brilliant cut. It includes 20 sample scans that exemplify various diamond cutting characteristics as well as an instruction manual.

The software can be downloaded from the AGS website. AGS has designed this new software with certain advantages like:

- It finds an application in all segments of the diamond industry, from manufacturer to end user.

- It graphically validates claims of precision in cutting.

-Retailers can use it to buy more effectively and to sell tech savvy customers.

- Consumers can learn the software and use it to verify claims made by retailers.