Diamond Cutting

Diamond Cutting is the art and science of creating a gem-quality diamond out of mined rough diamond. The cut of a diamond describes the process in which a diamond will be shaped and polished from its beginning form as a rough stone to a finalized gem stone. The cut of a diamond describes the quality of workmanship and the angles to which a diamond is cut. It is a very difficult process and entails a bit of math and science, as well as an eye for beauty. Over the years, this process has become easier due to the many technological advances in the diamond cutting field.

There are mathematical guidelines for the angles and length ratios at which the diamond will be cut in order to reflect the maximum amount of light. Round brilliant diamonds, the most common, are guided by these specific guidelines, though fancy cut stones are not able to be as accurately guided by mathematical specifics. It often takes experience and a masterful eye to cut these fancy stones as they are usually not as uniform as the round diamonds. There are certain proportions that a diamond must be cut to achieve the desired effect, but ideal cuts can be controversial as the definition of beauty is highly subjective.

The techniques for cutting diamonds have been developed over hundreds of years, with perhaps the greatest achievements made in 1919 by mathematician and gem enthusiast Marcel Tolkowsky. He developed the round brilliant cut by calculating the ideal shape to return and scatter light when a diamond is viewed from above, which is how we cut these particular diamonds to this day. New diamond cuts are now all the rage in the diamond industry as for example a design invented in 2003 and called the Genesis cut. This cut differs in shape from the more traditional cuts in its concave surfaces and angles and resembles a 4-pointed star.