There are times, where all through my search of topics, I come across a topic that suits my blog just as if I did my own writing. I came across this essay many years ago and "saved it". This is one of the very few that I saved that came from someone else's pen.
I can't give you the author's name, or the company, as this essay wasn't written down. If I did have it, I would have surely noted it for this blog.
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In ancient times, uncut "Diamond Crystals" were just cleaned and mounted into jewellery. By the Middle Ages, simple faceted diamonds were finding favour with royalty and the upper echelon of society. Early faceting usually involved grinding one point of the crystal down to form the "Table".
In the 1600's, very primitive "Rose Cuts" appeared in the market, this is after the introduction of the diamond polishing wheel. Diamond sediments, or dust were used to polish the larger stones.
With many refinements to the polishing wheel, the next step in the Cutting process was a Table above the "Crow Facets". These older stones had a tiny "Table", with a huge "Culet" and fewer "Facets" than today's "Brilliant Cuts".
In the late 1700s, the "Triple-Cut" also called the "Old Mine Cut" emerged with the full complement of Facets now used in the modern cutting styles. Cut diamonds had begun to resemble today's "Round Brilliant".
By the late 1800's, technical advances began to affect diamond cutting. High-speed rotary diamond saws introduced in 1900's, allowed cutters to get two stones from one rough diamond crystal.
By the mid-18th century, diamond cutting began to draw on the emerging "Science of Optics", which is just "The Study of How Light Behaves". These studies led to improved proportions in the finished diamonds.
Diamonds like today's "Round Brilliant" were standard by the early 20th Century.
It's not unusual for older diamond styles like the "Old Mine Cuts" from the early 1900s to turn up for remounting. Small tables, uneven outlines, and large facets mark these cuts.
You can also spot some older styles by their square or "Cushion Outline", and their relative lack of Brilliance.
These stones are not more valuable than the modern ones just because they're old. In fact, the older styles are often recut to improve their proportions and brilliance. But many are family heirlooms and have great sentimental value for their owners.
Pearls and Cultured Pearls are very sensitive to chemical actions. Everyday substances like cologne, cosmetics, and even perspiration can affect them severely.
Cleaning solvents like ammonia can harm a lot of different gems--and the metals that they're set in. With many gemstones, almost any acid, even in a weak solution, can spell their ruin. You should discuss the durability even if the customer supplies the stone. Find out more about their work, and lifestyle to get a better understanding of how they will use them daily.
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Thank you for appreciating the unknown author's writing, as this essay is well-suited for my blog perfectly.
Gerry Lewy - Diamond Setter!
Thornhill, (Toronto) Ontario.
Canada.
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