<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1204737666323810&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1" alt="facebook">
Q Insights

Jewellery insurance info, helpful guides, resources and industry-leading insights.

 

Jewellery Insurance

Is Watch & Jewellery Theft on the Rise in 2024?

In 2024, a concerning surge in theft threatens the world of luxury as watch...

The Sentimental Value of Insuring Your Jewellery

Jewellery can be more than a style choice. Our most precious pieces are a r...

Building A Timeless Legacy With Jewellery Insurance For Your Priceless Family He...

Family heirlooms transcend mere jewellery. They embody a legacy, history, a...

Insurance Basics

Five Out of Five: The Top 20 Q Report Insurance Reviews

Our customers speak from the heart, and when it comes to your precious jewe...

What is a ‘No Impact Claim’ in Jewellery Insurance?

How would you feel if you lost your favourite piece of jewellery?

Does Jewellery Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Floods, cyclones, bushfires and hailstorms. All of these natural disasters ...

Luxury Watches

A Beginners Guide To Buying Pre-Owned Luxury Watches

Dive into the world of pre-owned luxury watches and unlock a treasure trove...

Behind a Breitling: An Inside Look at Exquisite Swiss Craftsmanship

Step into the world of horological excellence, where Swiss craftsmanship re...

Is Watch & Jewellery Theft on the Rise in 2024?

In 2024, a concerning surge in theft threatens the world of luxury as watch...

Jewellery Trends

How To Create Stunning Looks With Pearls

Dive into the world of timeless elegance with our guide to styling pearl je...

Jewellery Trends in 2024: Big and Bold Statement Looks

Step into the world of haute couture and adornment as we unveil the hottest...

Curating a Gemstone Jewellery Collection: A Beginner’s Guide

Dive into the enchanting world of gemstone jewellery, where vibrant colours...

Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest jewellery trends, insights and inspiration from Q Report.

Diamonds

Live Your Life in Colour: Canary Diamond Engagement Rings

Do you know diamonds come in a wide range of colours?

Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds (What's the Difference?)

When most people think of diamonds, they think of natural diamonds.

The Surprising Science Behind Diamond Cutting

A natural diamond is as rich in history as it is in beauty. From the moment...

General

Proposing at Home: Do’s and Don’ts

According to a 2019 survey of 20,000 newly-engaged couples, 21 percent of p...

Are Diamonds a Good Investment?

Most people don’t consider buying diamonds until it’s time to purchase an e...

Brisbane’s Top 10 Proposal Locations

Your heart’s all a-flutter and it’s hard to sit still. So you’ve decided to...

Helpful Resources

Featured Resource

The Complete Guide to Jewellery Insurance

Access the Guide
Featured Resource

The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Watches

Access the Guide
Featured Resource

Ring Size Guide & Sizer

Download Guide

The Surprising Science Behind Diamond Cutting

Q Report Team
Updated on October 06, 2022
4 min read

A natural diamond is as rich in history as it is in beauty. From the moment the rough stone is ethically unearthed to the final treasure that awaits within the proposal box––a journey unfolds.

 

The History of Diamond Cutting

As the timeline of diamond cutting goes, diamonds are believed to have been first discovered in India, where they were kept as loose unpolished stones––vastly different to today's extraordinary creations. 

Fast forward thousands of years of technological development, combined with artistry, and you have the world's most expertly crafted diamonds ready to adorn your soon-to-be-wed left hand.

A far cry from the first diamond cut known aptly as 'The Point Cut' and led by the first artisans known to specialise in diamond cutting and polishing––the Diamantaire of Nuremberg, Germany, in the 1300s. 

 

The Importance of 'The Cut'

The cut of a diamond determines how much light the stone reflects—making it one of, if not the most important element of the 4Cs, the International Diamond Grading System's universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond. 

The purpose of a diamond is to sparkle––poorly cut, and it will be the opposite, lack lustre, making the colour, clarity and carat irrelevant. 

Let's look at how the world's diamond engineers get these rough rocks to sparkle like the illuminating lights of the Eiffel Tower.

 

The Science of Diamond Cutting 

 

Inclusion Mapping

Inclusion mapping is the first stage of the diamond-cutting process. It must undergo rough planning before being cut to maximise the quality and profitable return of the rough diamond.

Inclusion mapping requires state-of-the-art technology. Sarine Diamond Technologies is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing advanced systems for diamond production.

Using technology such as the Sarine Galaxy®, diamond engineers can scan the rough stone and create a map that accurately identifies all inclusions within the stone, regardless of their type, size, and location.

 

Cutting Plan

The next step is constructing a cutting plan to garner the best-polished diamond from the original rough stone––a process carried out by specialised technology such as the Sarine Advisor®.

Combining the ascertained inclusion scanning information and 3D analysis of the rough stone can provide multiple cutting options that promise to deliver maximum value based on carat, cut and clarity. 

 

Shaping and Sawing

Once the diamond engineer has decided upon the final cutting plan, the rough stone is cut and shaped into round segments. Ready to begin the final stage of polishing.

According to research from the University of Cambridge, a diamond is essentially a composition of electrons and carbon atoms. Together, a strong chemical bond is formed, resulting in a highly rigid tetrahedral crystal––making a diamond one of the most complex substances on Earth.

For this reason, the sawing of a diamond is not an easy task to master. The Quazer® by Sarine is another technological advancement that delivers accurate cutting instruction with delicate precision. The tool utilises a green laser to maximise accuracy––an essential given that the slightest deviation from the required sawing line can result in the shattering or cracking of the rough stone.

 

Polishing

While being cut, diamonds are susceptible to surface blemishes; although minor, they are considered a flaw. Such flaws can obstruct the reflection of light, dulling its sparkle. For this reason, polishing a diamond is one of the final steps in the diamond-cutting process and demands a high level of attention to detail.

When smoothing the surface manually, diamonds are polished with diamond dust and other abrasive agents––allowing the light to enter and exit the stone without intrusion.

Advances in technology have seen an alternative option with Sarine's Instructor®, computerised software that enables the diamond engineer to measure and assess the diamond throughout the polishing journey.

 

Inscribing 

Inscribing a diamond is a process in itself––one that begins by locating a position on the girdle where a skilled artisan will use state-of-the-art technology to engrave a personalised message or, more commonly, the certification number.

A certification number allows buyers to verify the number inscribed on their diamond against its grading certificate.

However, inscribing text the size of a few microns requires precision and a specialised magnification scope if you want to see it. The inscription is delivered via a laser beam that etches the inscription on the girdle of the diamond. 

 

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Understanding the science behind diamond cutting can help you make critical decisions when purchasing your engagement ring. You want to ensure an optimal cut that reflects the light to its fullest.

Once you have found your ring, ensure its protection with Q Report Jewellery Insurance. After all that hard work, you want to wear it heartfully, knowing it's protected from theft, damage and loss.

Jewellery Insurance Instant Quote

Global-Calculator-Background_resized

Jewellery Insurance Instant Quote

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DETAILS AND SELECT THE BEST TIME FOR US TO CALL YOU

BACK TO YOUR QUOTE

SEE WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT US

Related Articles

Tiffany & Co. Jewellery: Exploring t...

Welcome to the story of Tiffany & Co., a legendary name synonymous with...

A Beginners Guide To Buying Pre-Owned Lu...

Dive into the world of pre-owned luxury watches and unlock a treasure trove...

Behind a Breitling: An Inside Look at Ex...

Step into the world of horological excellence, where Swiss craftsmanship re...

Read what's next

Vector (25)

Engagement Ring Budget Calculator

What you need to save to meet your timeframe and budget is:

This has not taken cut, colour, clarity or carat, your financial situation or your partners taste into account. There are many factors that can reduce or increase the value of an engagement ring.


Not sure where to start?

Speak with one of our Q Certified Jewellers to find out what you can afford, what your partner is looking for and what will financially work best for you.

Find your local jeweller
How much would insurance cost?
Get an instant quote