Diamond Cutting
Diamond cutting is the process of transforming a rough diamond into a faceted polished diamond.
The main goal of this process is to reach the biggest yield to maximise the value of the finished diamond. Besides retaining the most of the weight, diamond cutters will strive to achieve the excellent proportions, symmetry and polish. When done right, it will lead to a diamond having a distinguished Hearts and Arrows pattern in and a lot of fire, brilliance and scintillation. The rough crystal will change many hands and go through a number of different countries and cultures in order to achieve this desired goal.
Simplified description of diamond cutting proccess
| Stage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Rough Selection | Diamonds are mined from the earth or grown in a laboratory in their natural rough state. Expert sorters analyze and select rough diamonds based on characteristics such as shape, flaws, color and size to determine the optimum yield for cutting. They determine which diamonds are suitable for cutting. |
| Cleaving/Sawing | A diamond cleaver expertly splits the rough diamond using another diamond to literally "cleave" or saw along the grain to separate it into workable portions that follow the inner structure, preserving the maximum carat weight. |
| Planning | A planning expert maps out the ideal cut for the rough diamond, creating a 3D model to envision the finished stone. The planner maximizes retained carat weight while achieving optimal angles/proportions for maximum fire and brilliance. |
| Blocking | Through a wax or cement process called dopping, the diamond planner temporarily attaches the rough diamond securely onto a rod or dop stick, preparing the facets to be cut. |
| Cutting | A diamond cutter selectively shapes the diamond’s 92 or 58 facets (for brilliant round or princess cuts) applying skill, experience and tools to saw individual symmetrical facets onto the stone at precise angles/alignments. |
| Bruting | If needed the diamond is placed inside a "bruting" machine which presses two diamonds against each other to shape the girdle outlines until dimensions are perfect. |
| Polishing | A polisher expertly achieves the final fine polish on the diamond’s facets using scaife polishing wheels to ready it for inspection. |
| Letting | Quality control examiners certify that angles, symmetry, dimensions, shine and other cut quality metrics meet grading standards before the dazzling finished diamond heads to market. |
Warning
This timeline is a simplified overview. The specific stages and techniques used may vary depending on the individual diamond and desired outcome.