Encompassing a history as enduring as the earth itself, natural diamonds are true marvels of nature. They are forged through time, pressure, and geological wonder, creating gems that are as unique as they are exquisite. These jewels, unmatched in their beauty and significance, have come to symbolize elegance and endurance throughout history.

Volcanic delivery

Your diamond was forged between one and three billion years ago deep beneath the earth’s surface. A powerful process called subduction, where ancient land masses moved against each other, produced enough pressure, friction, and heat that fragments of carbon crystallized and grew into our planet’s supply of natural diamonds. These diamonds are a testament to the earth’s fiery creative forces, buried and then unleashed through monumental geological events.

Natural diamonds have been discovered on nearly every continent. The most abundant gem-quality deposits have historically been mined in Africa, Canada, Russia and Australia, each offering a different chapter in the story of these sparkling treasures.

Rough to polish

1. Planning

During the planning stage, this rough octahedron crystal is studied, and its growth directions and inclusions are mapped. This crucial step in the crafting process not only defines the diamond’s proportions but also its ultimate value. Detailed planning ensures that every facet is crafted to best showcase, the stone’s color, clarity and brilliance, maximizing the beauty of natural diamonds. This phase is crucial as it establishes the blueprint for cutting, balancing the diamond’s natural form with the desired final shape, to enhance both aesthetic appeal and intrinsic value.

2. Marking

Once the plan is determined, the crystal is marked for primary sawing. The precise marking acts as a guideline for cutters, minimizing waste and preserving the integrity of the natural diamond’s most desirable attributes. It is a thoughtful process that respects the stone’s original essence while envisioning its future beauty.

3. Sawing

A carbon-fiber blade coated with diamond-grit makes the first cut. It will take several hours to saw this crystal into two pieces; each of which will become a polished diamond. This stage demonstrates the care and precision required to transform rough natural diamonds into elegant gemstones. Every part of the sawing process is methodical and monitored, reflecting the sawyer’s expertise in ensuring maximum yield and quality from each stone.

4. Bruting

The two pieces spin in opposite directions, grinding against each other to smooth the edges and create a round outline. Bruting defines the symmetrical shape of the stone, a key characteristic of the finished product’s beauty. This delicate process requires constant attention and skill from the girdler, or “bruter,” as it dictates the diamond’s future symmetry and brilliance potential, cornerstones of its captivating qualities.

5. Polishing

Polishing is the most critical part of the diamond cutting process, taking place on a scaife; a flat wheel coated with diamond grit which spins at between 3,000-5,000 RPM. This stage is where the diamond’s final character emerges, revealing its full lustre and fire. Polishing transforms every rough surface into a gleaming facade, ensuring that every facet captures and reflects light as intended, captivating onlookers to maximum effect.

6. Inspection

Once finished, the diamond is boiled in acid to ensure it’s thoroughly cleaned for optimum performance potential. This process is a testament to the incredible durability, hardness and “forever” qualities of each diamond. It is then examined to ensure that it meets the producer’s expectations and quality standards.

Diamond Grading

Following the diamond-cutting process and prior to being sold loose or mounted into jewelry, diamonds are typically submitted to gemological institutions such as IGI for quality assessment. Four main factors are considered when judging a diamond’s quality and value. They are the diamond’s 4C’s: Carat weight, Diamond color, Diamond clarity, and Diamond cut. IGI screens every diamond using state-of-the-art technologies to determine naturally mined, laboratory-grown, or simulant origin. Experienced graduate gemologists conduct further assessments in controlled conditions, detailing relevant gemological characteristics according to the strictest international system.