National News
Augmont Launches AI-Powered Gold Purity Evaluation Machine In Chennai
New AI-Enabled Robotic System Offers Instant, Transparent Gold Purity Assessment and Seamless Gold Loan Processing
Augmont, India’s leading digital gold platform, has launched an AI-powered Gold Purity Evaluation Machine at its Poonamallee Gold Loan branch in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Powered by advanced robotic and AI-led assessment technology, the machine enables customers to instantly evaluate the purity of their gold ornaments in a transparent, non-invasive, and hassle-free manner.
The initiative has been introduced to enhance trust, transparency, and convenience for consumers seeking accurate gold purity assessment before availing a gold loan, selling, or recycling their gold ornaments.
Using the facility, customers can assess the purity and approximate value of their gold ornaments within seconds in a complimentary and seamless manner. The AI-enabled robotic evaluation system is integrated directly with Augmont’s gold loan technology platform, allowing eligible customers to seamlessly proceed with the gold loan process immediately after evaluation. This significantly reduces turnaround time and enables customers to complete the entire process – from purity testing to gold loan disbursal – within minutes.
In addition to gold loans, the facility also enables customers to make more informed decisions regarding recycling or selling their gold based on transparent and technology-driven purity analysis.
Gold continues to remain one of the most trusted financial assets for Indian households. However, gold evaluation has traditionally remained a process dependent on manual assessment and customer trust. Through this technology-led initiative, Augmont aims to modernize the gold assessment experience by making it faster, more transparent, and more consumer-friendly.
With growing focus on sustainability and responsible consumption, gold recycling is becoming an important part of India’s evolving gold ecosystem. Recycling existing gold helps reduce dependence on fresh imports and mining activity while enabling more efficient utilization of idle household gold stocks. As India continues to encourage greater transparency and formalization within the gold industry, reliable gold purity assessment becomes critical in helping consumers accurately understand the value of their gold before opting for recycling, selling, or availing gold loans.
Commenting on the launch, Ketan Kothari, Whole Time Director of Augmont, said:

“At Augmont, we believe technology will play a transformative role in the future of the gold ecosystem. As consumer demand for organized, transparent, and trustworthy gold services continues to grow, we wanted to introduce an innovation that directly enhances customer confidence and decision-making.
This AI-powered Gold Purity Evaluation Machine is designed to simplify the customer journey by combining instant purity evaluation with a seamless gold loan process through our integrated technology platform. Customers can now walk into a branch, evaluate their gold transparently, and if they choose to, proceed with a gold loan within minutes.
Chennai is an important market for us, and this pilot launch will help us better understand consumer adoption and behaviour. We see this as an important first step towards building a wider network of technology-enabled gold evaluation centres across the region.
We also believe that transparent, technology-driven purity evaluation systems can encourage greater participation in the organized gold recycling ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly important for building a more sustainable, efficient, and transparent gold industry in India while empowering consumers to make better financial decisions regarding their gold assets.”
National News
GJ Exports Show Signs Of Stabilization Amid Global Headwinds With A Rise Of 26.51% In June 2026; Imports Also Rise By 10.06% In The Same Period
The Overall Gems & Jewellery Exports Witnessed A Rise After A Prolonged Downtrend And Indicates A Revival In Overseas Demand Dynamics
The overall gross gems & jewellery exports grew by 26.51% to US$ 2212.65 million (Rs. 21010.78 crores) in June 2026 after a long trail of decline. Quarterly performance of the April to June 2026 period also reflects a positive sign, with a rise of 0.04% to US$ 6612.21 million (Rs. 62588.61 crores) as compared to last year.
Here are the important points highlighted from the provided performance report for the Indian gems and jewellery sector in June 2026 and the April-June 2026 quarter:
Overall Sector Performance
- Export Revival: Overall gross gems and jewellery exports broke a prolonged downtrend, growing by 26.51% in June 2026 to US$ 2,212.65 million.
- Quarterly Growth: The April–June 2026 period stabilized with a marginal rise of 0.04% to US$ 6,612.21 million year-on-year (YoY).
- Imports: Gross imports grew by 10.06% in June 2026, though the cumulative April–June period saw a 5.9% decline YoY.
Diamonds (Natural vs. Lab-Grown)
- Cut & Polished Diamonds (CPD):
- June 2026 exports grew by 8.71% to US$ 846.73 million.
- Quarterly volume (Apr–Jun) increased by 8.98% (39.88 lakh carats), though cumulative value dipped slightly by 4.13% (681.76.
- Quarterly imports surged by 66.13%, showcasing a clear preference for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) over Domestic Tariff Areas (DTAs).
- Rough Diamonds: Imports continued to decline (-27.11% in June; -32.42% for the quarter) as manufacturers focused on clearing existing inventory amid volatile overseas demand.
- Polished Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGD): Continued a massive growth surge, with June exports up 52.25% and quarterly value up 14.92% (volume up 31.97%). LGDs are rapidly emerging as a highly lucrative, price-conscious alternative to natural diamonds.
Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewellery
- Gold Jewellery: June 2026 exports spiked by 54.50% to US$ 1,087.74 million, driven by stabilizing global buyers’ sentiments.
- Plain Gold: June exports grew 25.34%, but the quarter fell 23.30% due to mixed monthly trends earlier in the year.
- Studded Gold: Experienced stellar growth, rising 85.35% in June and 20.10% for the overall quarter.
- Silver Jewellery: Retains strong momentum as the preferred affordable alternative to gold, maintaining robust double-digit YoY growth.
- Platinum Jewellery: Quarterly exports jumped 27.66% to US$ 58.67 million, fueled by international demand for premium, cost-effective contemporary jewellery.
Alternative Categories & Investment
- Coloured Gemstones: Quarterly exports dropped 15.0% to US$ 82.25 million, largely hampered by temporary international logistical barriers rather than a drop in core demand.
- Gold Medals & Medallions: Quarterly exports skyrocketed by 86.42% to US$ 1.81 million, underscoring strong overseas investor sentiment using gold as a hedge against global inflation.
Outlook
The strong June performance indicates a reinstatement of international demand and points toward highly positive holiday season sales moving into the October–December quarter.
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