Four
hundred years ago all Diamonds were cut with four flat surfaces, these
being Indian-cut, or " table " diamonds ; later they were cut in the
form of half a polyhedron resting on a plane section, this being the "
rose-diamond." The Diamonds known as " brilliants " are cut into the
form of two truncated pyramids, the upper, or bizel, being much more
deeply truncated than the lower, or "collet"; and having thirty-two
facets, inclined under different angles ; while the lower has but
twenty-four ; each facet, both of the " bizel," and the " collet "
side, having its distinctive name, and arbitrary proportion. This is
the most effective, but most wasteful way of cutting diamonds, about
one half the weight being lost in converting them into " brilliants,"
or " roses," from the rough. Old diamonds are cut with greater care
than the quite modern, and are worth forty or fifty per cent more.
Concerning
the Diamond—Sir John Mandeville (Paris, 1561) has advanced remarkable
notions, partly derived from Pliny. " He directs that a man should
carry the Diamonds on his left side ; for it is of greater virtue than
the right side ; for the strength of their (the Diamonds) growing is
towards the north, that is, the left side of the world ; and the left
part of the man is when he turns his face towards the East. And if you
wish to know the virtues of the Diamond, I shall tell you, as they
beyond the sea say, and affirm ; from whom all science, and philosophy
come. He who carries the Diamond upon him it gives him hardiness, and
manhood, and it keeps the limbs of his body whole." " It gives him
victory over his enemies, in Court, and in war, if his cause is just;
and it keeps him that bears it in good wit; it preserves him from
strife, and riot;
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