How much do you know about diamond cutting?
Historical Development
The earliest diamond on the ring is a rough with natural octahedral shape. Probably from 14th century, the ancient cutters tried to sharpen the diamond. And people have inlaid the diamonds following the certain processing. By 15th century, table cut appeared. Rose-cut debuted in the 16th Century and to be continuously used in the 19th century. In modern times, the emergence of the brilliant-cut is a considerable progress, making diamond shiny with brighter color.
Nowadays, there are four main diamond cutting centers in the world. They are Mumbai, New York, Antwerp in Belgium, and Tel Aviv in Israel. Diamond cutting is the masterwork combined arts with techniques, which requires for long-term accumulation of experiences and personnel training. Every dazzling diamond needs elaborative cutting and processing to release intrinsic luster. It is also a perfect combination of human and nature.
Cutting Methods
Cutting is one of the 4C standards of a diamond in terms of brilliant-cut. At the same standard, the brilliant-cut diamond owns the highest value. So, how many ways are there in diamond cutting?
The standard brilliant-cut consists of 57 facets.
Crown: The upper surface of diamond, which consists of 1 table facet, 8 star facets, 8 kite facets and 16 upper girdle facets.
Girdle: The widest part of the diamond juncture of crown and pavilion. Girdle is used to fix the diamond when it is inlaid.
Pavilion: The pavilion is the bottom part of the diamond. A diamond’s pavilion consists of 16 girdle facets, 8 pavilion facets and a culet. Therefore, the pavilion of a diamond without culet only has 24 facets.
However, with the development of cutting technology, diamond can be cut into more facets. Generally, more facets a diamond has, more brilliant it will be. 57-facet-diamond, 74-facet-diamond, 88-facet-diamond and even 200-facet-diamond can be seen everywhere today, but a 200-facet-diamond is rare. From the point of price, it is proportional to the machine and technique. 200-facet-diamond is much more expensive than 57-facet one.
Cutting Process
A diamond in the rough becomes shiny only after cutting. Therefore, the cutting process of a diamond directly affects the diamond’s value. The most ideal cutting effect is to maintain the diamond’s weight, minimize flaws and fully show the beauty of a diamond. Generally, a cutting process includes the following stages: marking, cleaving, sawing, shape setting and polishing.
Not every rough diamond should be processed with the above stages. It depends on its feature and shape. However, marking and polishing are necessary procedures for rough diamond.
Marking: This is the first stage. Checking the rough diamond and marking on its surface. If it is big, it may take several months to mark it. As for common rough diamond, marking only costs several minutes. Usually, markers will mark the line according to the rough’s natural texture. Cutters can cut along the line marked by Indian ink.
Polishing: The cutter places a diamond on a rotating polishing wheel which is coated with an abrasive diamond powder and lubricating oil, to cut and polish all the facets and let the diamond release attractive beauty. At foremost, cutter cuts 8 facets at the bottom, and then 16 facets, totally 25 facets including a culet. And along to cut triangle facets, kite facets and girdle facets, 33 facets in all. So, a round diamond consists of 58 facets. A diamond will have 57 facets without a culet. The location and angles of a brilliant diamond’s facets are precisely calculated.
In conclusion, cutting the hardest gem in the world not only requires for advanced equipment, but also for the rich experience and highly responsibility of cutters, so that it can release luster. A diamond in a jewelry counter needs through processing, inlaying and producing before it becomes a piece of treasure.
Diamond industry in Israel
Diamond processing factory in Israel is an excellent exemplification of the highest level of diamond technology in the world at large. Jewish top diamond polishing technology makes diamond more shinning. In order to keep the primary purity of diamond, the number of facets sometimes are over 57, which improves the cost performance of the diamond in Israel.
Today, Tel Aviv keeps ahead in the innovation of diamond cutting technology, specializing in fancy cutting and precise pairing. The diamond processing industry in Israel leverages the advantage of automatic devices and scientific cost control, and perfectly combines advanced scientific technology with exquisite skills. It is holding a safe lead compared with other countries in cutting precision.