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The Working of Precious Stones.
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The polishing rocms of some of the great factories in Amsterdam, are well worthy of a visit.
The grinding and polishing of the Diamond are effected on flat wheels
propelled by steam-power, which make about 2000 revolutions in a
minute. Before these silently revolving discs you will see men so
intent upon their work that they have eyes for nothing else ; for,
notwith" standing the perfection of the machinery, the skill of the
workmen remains of primal importance. It is with their fingers and
thumbs that they adjust the points, edges and facets of the Diamond
with extreme accuracy, keeping them constantly moist with Diamond dust
and olive oil. The thumbs of the workmen being used continually, and
with much force, not unfrequently become enlarged.
The
lapidary, who is occupied with the cutting and polishing of other
precious stones than the Diamonds, or who is engaged simply upon
Semi-Precious Stones, arranges his work much in the same manner as the
Diamond-cutter, but he uses other means for the cutting and polishing,
according to the nature of the stone to be worked. These special means'will be noticed, where necessary, under the description of each particular stone.
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THE FORMS OF PRECIOUS STONES. The
beauty of a cut or finished stone depends so much upon the form and
position of its facets, that a moderately fine stone, well cut and
polished, is of far greater value than a large one less artistically
worked. It sometimes happens that the lapidary receives a stone of very
unfortunate shape ; his duty will, therefore, be to take all possible
care to preserve its size ; and, hiding its faults, give it such a
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