The Belgian diamond industry's research and development division is working on new tools that would turn artisans into technicians. The WTOCD, the Scientific and Technical Center for Diamonds founded by the Syndicate of the Belgium Diamond Industry is initiating work and force into so-called 'Grain Independent Polishing' machines, which would dispense with the need for a human operator that is capable to adjudge the internal structure of a gem.

The devices in development would allow for 'cold polishing', in which an artisan would just have to drop a diamond on the polishing wheel and then the electronic sensors would define the diamond's features and proceed to handle the stone accordingly. This new technology has the potential to transform the way the industry does business