Working of Precious Stones Page 41



	2.6 The Working of Precious Stones.

	Diamond he commences by fastening it to the end of a specially made stick with strong cement. A very sharp piece of Diamond, called a sharp, is similarly attached to another stick, and with it a V-shaped incision is made in the Diamond at the place where the part is to be removed. Placing a blunt knife in the incision and giving it a sharp tap with an iron cleaver's bar, the fragment immediately breaks off, if the incision is truly made and exactly on the grain. These fragments are cut and polished, and sold as Rose Diamonds. This is a distinct business from Diamond-cutting, but is carried out on exactly the same lines, the workmen requiring about the same length of time to learn either business, namely about six or seven years. The great home for Diamond cutting is still Amsterdam, although, in order to diminish the price of cutting, Germany and Switzerland have also been tried—especially the latter, Switzerland being the great home for female labour ; but the result has not been satisfactory, as will be seen by the following statement. A parcel of rough stones coming from the Cape was divided into three equal portions of 100 carats each, and sent to each of the above-named countries. The cost of labour in Germany was only 1s. 6d. per carat below that of Amsterdam, yet the stones lost so much by the cutting that their value was less by 10s.. per carat ; and in like manner those of Switzerland, were 20s. per carat lower in value. Only highly skilled and very honest artizans are entrusted with the cutting of large Diamonds. When the Diamond passes from the cutter's hands it is by no means perfect. The lustre and transparency for which it is so much valued are only fully developed in the hands of the polisher.