Q: WHAT IS USED TO CUT A DIAMOND? WHERE
DO THE LEFTOVERS GO?
A: Diamond is by far the hardest substance known, and as such the only thing that can cut
or polish a diamond is diamond. Diamond saws and diamond wheels are impregnated with
diamond dust. The leftovers of the diamonds being cut are "recycled" and used in
this manner. The larger leftovers are cut into smaller diamonds, or used for industrial
purposes.
Q: HOW DO YOU TELL A REAL DIAMOND
FROM A FAKE?
A: Identifying a real diamond from a true synthetic diamond is truly difficult. Currently
synthetic diamonds are not being marketed in jewelry qualities, mainly because of the high
cost, and the small sizes available. Identifying a diamond from any other imitations is a
matter of training.There are many substitutes available on the market, and each one has
certain characteristics that diamonds do not have, to help Gemologists identify them.
Q: WHEN LOOKING AT A DIAMOND WITH A
LOUPE, HOW DOES A FLAW SHOW UP?
A: Flaws or imperfections are anything that may be found in a diamond. Flaws come in all
shapes, sizes and colors. Flaws can be black, white or even blue and orange. A flaw can
also be any size or shape. Common flaws are "feathers", which look like a wisp,
or curved line and are usually white. Carbon can be geometric or look like lint, and
black. Included crystals can be a perfectly formed square or hexagonal shape.
Q: ROUGHLY HOW LARGE ARE DIAMONDS
BEFORE THEY ARE CUT AND POLISHED?
A: Diamond rough is mostly found in smaller sizes. The amount of rough lost in the cutting
is approximately 1/2 the original crystal. So if the rough crystal is 1/2 carat, the
finished, polished diamond will be about 1/4 carat.
Q: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF TRAVELING TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO BUY DIAMONDS.
A: The most obvious advantage is the joy of traveling. The most obvious disadvantage, is
the high cost of traveling. The prices of diamonds are really standardized throughout the
world. The major dealers and sight holders have sales representatives that travel to all
the jewelers.
Q: CAN DIAMONDS BREAK?
A: Yes. Diamonds can chip and break if they are hit the right way, with a sharp enough
blow. Diamonds have a "Grain", like wood has a grain, and can splinter in the
same manner. We can repair chipped and broken diamonds. Surprisingly, little weight is
lost from the stone.
Q: PLEASE EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT DIAMOND
CUTS, I.E., MARQUISE, BAGUETTE, ETC.
A: The cut of the diamond, refers to the outside shape or perimeter. Most common are round
diamonds. A marquise is a Canoe shape; long with both ends pointed. A Pear shape has one
end pointed and one end rounded. Baguettes come in tapered or straight. Straight baguettes
are rectangle shape, tapered are a trapezoid shape. Diamond cutters are always creating
new shapes. A beautiful new cut is the Radiant, also called the Princess or Quadrillion.
There are patents on these names, although the cut is similar. The outside diameter is a
square shape, with or without beveled corners. They differ from the Emerald cut by the
faceting on the bottom of the stone, which is similar to the round brilliant.
Q: CAN DIAMONDS BE REPAIRED OR RECUT?
A: Yes. Diamonds can chip and break if they are hit the right way, with a sharp enough
blow. Diamonds have a "grain", like wood has a grain, and can
"splinter" in the same manner. Chipped and broken diamonds can be repaired.
Surprisingly little weight is lost from the stone. Sometimes it makes sense to re-cut an
older style cut to modern proportions if the brilliance is "dull".
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