Tiny diamonds, like larger ones, are cut using specialized methods when cleaving along a natural plane of weakness isn't possible. The primary methods involve sawing using advanced tools.
Methods for Cutting Diamonds
When a diamond doesn't have a suitable cleaving plane, or for precise cuts needed for smaller stones and complex shapes, cutters turn to sawing techniques.
Traditional Sawing
One method involves using a phosphor-bronze blade. This thin blade rotates at a very high speed, often around 15,000 rpm. The blade itself doesn't cut the diamond directly; instead, it works with a diamond abrasive slurry that is applied to the blade. The abrasive particles embedded in the slurry and on the blade's edge grind through the diamond.
Laser Sawing
Modern technology also utilizes lasers to cut diamonds. A focused laser beam can effectively slice through the diamond crystal. While highly precise, this process is often slower than blade sawing, potentially taking hours to complete a cut. Laser cutting can be automated and is particularly useful for intricate shapes and very small stones where mechanical stress needs to be minimized.
These sawing techniques allow cutters to shape diamonds into various facets and forms, regardless of the stone's size or internal structure, ensuring maximum brilliance and value.
