The expression, "a rough diamond" is used to describe a diamond in its natural uncut state. They so resemble a glass pebble that most people would pass them without a glance. It is the skill of a diamond cutter that unlocks the fiery beauty that lies inside.
Modern diamond cutting is scientifically planned to take the best advantage of a diamond's natural properties. First, because no two diamonds are alike, each has to be studied very carefully and marked for cutting. Some diamonds are cleaved or split along their "grain" like a log, but most diamonds are sawn across the grain by a thin metal disc coated with diamond dust and revolving at high speed.
After cleaving or sawing, the diamond is set into a lathe, and its corners are rounded off at its widest part by another diamond held against it. This is called bruiting or girdling. Next the diamond is set into a holder and held against a cast-iron "turntable" which is coated with a mixture of oil and diamond dust and which revolves at great speed. One by one, the facets tiny planes or surfaces that trap the light and make the diamond sparkle are ground onto the diamond.
Because diamonds are the hardest natural substances known to man, they can be only cut and polished by another diamond. The beauty of the diamond depends on the way it reflects light. The cutter must shape the facets in such a way as to admit and reflect the maximum amount of light, so that the diamond sparkles with fire, brilliance and scintillation.
Considerable skill and painstaking effort go into cutting the rough stones. It is this work and craftsmanship, which enhances the rarity and value of the stone.
Modern diamond cutting is scientifically planned to take the best advantage of a diamond's natural properties. First, because no two diamonds are alike, each has to be studied very carefully and marked for cutting. Some diamonds are cleaved or split along their "grain" like a log, but most diamonds are sawn across the grain by a thin metal disc coated with diamond dust and revolving at high speed.
After cleaving or sawing, the diamond is set into a lathe, and its corners are rounded off at its widest part by another diamond held against it. This is called bruiting or girdling. Next the diamond is set into a holder and held against a cast-iron "turntable" which is coated with a mixture of oil and diamond dust and which revolves at great speed. One by one, the facets tiny planes or surfaces that trap the light and make the diamond sparkle are ground onto the diamond.
Because diamonds are the hardest natural substances known to man, they can be only cut and polished by another diamond. The beauty of the diamond depends on the way it reflects light. The cutter must shape the facets in such a way as to admit and reflect the maximum amount of light, so that the diamond sparkles with fire, brilliance and scintillation.
Considerable skill and painstaking effort go into cutting the rough stones. It is this work and craftsmanship, which enhances the rarity and value of the stone.
