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| When a rough diamond is hewn from a mine in Australia, it looks nothing like the beautiful sparkling diamonds that we buy from our favourite diamond merchants. |
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| Cutting a diamond requires great skill and creativity to change the rough diamond into a gem with facets, and that inimitable sparkle. A stone is extremely hard and will take specialised knowledge, tools, and learned techniques to transform it to a diamond that can be sold on the open market. |
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| Diamond Cutters and Polishers |
In 1375, the first guild of diamond cutters and polishers known as 'diamantaire', was founded in Nuremberg, Germany. This led to the development of the different cuts that we know today.
The word 'Cut' has two meanings in the diamond trade. The first relates to the shape; round, princess, cushion etc. The second term relates to the quality of the cut within the shape. The purchase price of the finished product will vary depending on the quality of this cut. |
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| Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, so therefore needs special attention when finding the cut grade. Diamond-bladed edges are used to cut them to the final product. In the latter part of the 14th Century, the 'Point Cut', was developed to overcome the hardness of the stone. The Point Cut follows the natural shape of an octahedral raw diamond crystal, which eliminates some of the waste in the cutting process. |
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| The diamond cutting process is achieved by these steps; |
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| • Planning |
| • Cleaving or Sawing |
| • Bruting |
| • Polishing |
| • Final Inspection |
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| Planning |
| An analysis has to be made on the rough diamond to assess the potential worth of the cut diamond. The return on investment is paramount, as is the speed that the finished diamond can be sold. Diamond cutters now use scanning devices, to get a 3 dimensional computer model of the rough stone. Inclusions are taken into consideration, so that the stone can be cut in the most optimal way. |
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| The round brilliant cut and square modified brilliant (princess) cut of diamond are preferred when the crystal is an octahedron, as two stones may be cut from one crystal of this shape. Oddly shaped crystals are known as macles, and lend themselves to a fancy cut. |
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| Cutting and polishing always results in a drastic loss of stone, often 50%. The value of coloured diamonds can be influenced greatly by the cut and colour grade. Certain cut shapes are used to intensify the colour of the diamond. The radiant cut is a good example. |
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| Cleaving or Sawing |
| Cleaving is the process of separating the rough diamond into pieces to be finished as individual gems. Sawing is when a diamond saw or laser is used to cut the rough diamond into separate pieces. |
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| Bruting |
| This process involves two diamonds, set onto spinning axles turning in opposite directions. They are then set to grind against each other, forming each diamond into a round shape. This is also know as girdling. |
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| Polishing |
| This is the process where the facets are cut onto the diamond. They are then finished with a final polish. Steps involved in this process are blocking, faceting, which is also know as brillianteering, and polishing. |
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| Final Inspection |
| At the final inspection, the diamond is thoroughly cleaned in specific acids. An examination is carried out to assess the quality of the diamond and to ensure it meets the high standards of the manufacturer and My Diamonds. |
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| Cutting Process of a Round Brilliant Cut Diamond |
| The cuts of diamond are possible simply because of the hardness of the stone. Here is an example of a round brilliant cut process:~ |
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| • Sawing the rough stone |
• Table Setting. This is where one facet is created, then used to attach the stone into a dop,
which is a wax used by diamond cutters. |
| • The girdle is bruted |
| • The four main pavilion facets are blocked |
| • The stone is then transferred to another dop, to rotate the stone |
| • The four main crown facets are blocked |
| • Cutting and polishing of all pavilion facets |
| • Transferred again, to another dop |
| • Final cutting and polishing of all crown facets | |
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| At My Diamonds, all of the diamonds and diamond jewellery in their online showroom, are cut to the very highest standards. You can see this for yourself in the exquisite designs and the meticulous photographs, which show the beautiful detail in every piece. |
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| Go to www.mydiamonds.com.au or call My Diamonds on 1800 567 766 to speak to one of their professional diamond specialists to discuss the diamond or diamond jewellery that has stolen your heart. |
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