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Diamond cutting the different steps

Diamond cutting : the different steps

16 Jul 21
  • What are the most important aspects of a well-cut diamond?
  • Which 5 steps turn a rough diamond into a cut stone?

The diamond’s cutting process has been perfected since the late 18th century. The beautiful loose diamond therefore has unseen fires and a beautiful sparkle. But which steps does a rough diamond need to go through to turn into such a masterpiece? How do these phases progress?

What are the most important aspects of a well-cut diamond?

The diamond’s most important characteristics are clarity, colour, carat weight and cut. They are also known as the 4 C’s. Where clarity and colour are a completely natural process and the carat weight is dependent on the size of the rough stone, the cut is the only aspect which involves human craftsmanship. It is therefore this craftsmanship which makes all the difference in the loose diamond’s eventual value.

A well cut impure and yellowish diamond will still show exceptional brilliance. A very pure and colourless diamond with a bad cut would be worth a great deal less.

Which 5 steps turn a rough diamond into a cut stone?

1. What is splitting and sawing?

This first step involves carving a groove into the stone to split it in two. The aim is to adapt the mineral to a shape suitable for sawing, as well as cutting at a later stage. This also allows for errors formed during the creation process, such as inclusions and black spots, to be removed. The eventual shape of the diamond is now already becoming evident.

2. What does bruting mean?

During the bruting process all the individual pieces of rough diamond which are left behind after splitting are made rounder. This will give them a more accessible shape for faceting. This process is done mechanically.

3. What is the point of faceting?

Faceting requires the most craftsmanship and is also the most important phase for the quality of the eventual loose diamond. Various different highly specialised professionals will take responsibility for this part of the phase. The facets are all applied manually, even though automated insights are sometimes used to get as much diamond out of the rough stone as possible.

These automated insights visualise the different steps. They take inclusions into account, as well as the maximum possible dimensions in order to minimise the loss.

4. What does brightening mean?

This is the final step in the cutting of the actual stone, but not of the entire process. Brightening is also known as polishing and aims to do as much justice as possible to the specialists’ facet work. Each facet is therefore individually polished in order to realise the best possible shine.

5. What will the inspection be looking for?

The final step in the cutting process is the inspection. Diamond specialists check the diamonds and make sure they do not end up on the market if the cut does not satisfy the standard quality expectations. What if the stone was not cut properly? Then it will go back through the faceting and polishing process until the right quality has been achieved for the stone to be considered for jewellery and as an investment diamond.

How can I invest in beautiful loose diamonds? Which quality diamond will suit my investment portfolio best? Ask BNT Diamonds’ diamond experts for advice.

Fabienne Rauw
About Fabienne Rauw
BNT Diamonds Antwerp

Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six years of experience at BNT Diamonds she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BNT Diamonds is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

With this article, BNT Diamonds strives to inform you thoroughly about investing in diamonds. No investment can be guaranteed to be without risk or fully according to your expectations. That is why we recommend to research the risks and aspects of investing in diamond properly to ensure that you make the right choice for your portfolio.