Precious stones are, as the name implies, something of the most value that comes from nature. More specifically, they are mined directly from the earth all over the world. Even in such a rough, unpolished state, they are worth a lot. If you're interested in how gems are made inside the earth, check the source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/inside-the-earth/minerals-gems/. However, to reach even higher prices and take place in some of the most reputable jewelry stores in the world, diamonds have to be processed. Or, in an expert term, they cut them, and thus give them the final, usually symmetrical form. In diamond valuation, cutting is an integral part of 4C quality control of diamonds. Many would say that cutting is the crucial element of diamond assessment, since this method of processing most influences the appearance of the jewel. The other factors are color, clarity, and weigh in carats.
Importance of Cutting Precious Stones
A history marked the earliest traces of the diamond trade a few centuries BC, but the methods of cutting jewels are a bit younger. Five centuries ago, jewelers mastered these techniques. Even the earliest cutters noticed that the stone becomes more attractive and shinier after processing. That is why this technique has been refined for centuries. Today, there are dozens of types of cuts, patterned or custom-made, to fit into some piece of jewelry. Previously, all cutting work was manual; today, there are several types of processing machines, from rough grinding to fine polishing. Well done cutting will make any gem look better. In rough form, they already have the ability to reflect light. Cutting should maximize its brightness. Such optical illusion will make the stone look bigger and more glamorous. With transparent jewels, correctly done cutting makes the reflection of light rays through the stone look like a spark. The explanation of the step-by-step process of cutting diamonds find here.
Popular Cuts
Diamonds of complexed shapes, like heart or pear, contrary to general opinion, are worth less than jewels of simpler cuts. The reason for this is in the reflection. The more edges a stone has, the higher the chance that light reflection will not be good. Cutting gives the stone the best performance, with adequate proportion and symmetry. The most popular cut is round brilliant. That's the shape of the diamond that most of us know. Square cuts such as cushion, emerald, or princess have the highest optical performance. Their elongated form makes the stone appear larger and more massive than, for example, the tear-shaped gem, which we usually can find on the earrings. Heart-shaped gems look attractive and can be an excellent gift for some romantic occasions. You can find it at a lower price than the one in an emerald cut.
How Cutting Affect Jewel Prices
Profit is the primary reason why diamonds are processed. Although they are worth a lot in the untreated state, it is only by processing and fine polishing they receive actual, collectible value. A well-made cut can make a small diamond worth more than a rough stone of more significant dimensions. In the gems market, the rule is - the shinier the jewel, the more worth it has. This brightness exists to some extent in the natural form of stones, but only cutting extracts the best out of them. If something goes wrong, it can ruin the beauty of the stone, but its price too. Skilled jewellers can learn about diamond cuts and improve their knowledge and skills throughout the entire career. They carefully study and analyze the properties of each gem and process each one in a particular way. Today, diamond experts use computer software developed to determine how stone should be cut to have a maximum value. The specialized algorithm calculates the angles, carats, purity, and natural shape of the stone. The point is to keep the relative weight, which is measured in carats, to give the gem the highest price. It’s more important to keep this weight than to have a perfectly shaped jewel of lower value.
Cutting diamonds is a demanding job, and it requires high accuracy and attention to detail. Experts do not work by the template, as they know that every diamond is unique and has different properties. They devote time to making something already magnificent, even more valuable.
