The marker then marks where the diamond needs to be sawn or cleaved.
If the diamond is to be cleaved, a kerf (small groove) is cut into the crystal with a laser. Then, some extremely skilled person gets to whack it with a mallet.
The crystal is more likely to be sawn, these days.
The next step is bruting which rounds out the stones and gives the initial cone shape to the pavilions. In this step, two diamonds are used to shape each other. This can be done by hand or machine.
Next, the diamond is blocked. The table plane is cut, and the pavilion mains and crown facets are placed. The brillianteers then add the remaining facets and do the final polishing.
This video shows most of the process:
7 comments:
Another great lesson, thanks! :-)
:D
I tried really hard to find more of the blocking process, but it seems that I'm the only person in the world that's interested. The Google had zip to show me.
More great info on diamonds
Imagine having the nerve to hit that stone with a hammer!
That was fascinating. I wonder if all gemstones are dealt with that way, or just diamonds? Great post, Andrea!
Dealt with which way?
Diamonds are more tricky than most gems to cut, in that they are the hardest substance around.
Bonnie - imagine the nerves of steel that Joseph Assher needed when he was called to cleave the Cullinan :)
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