For centuries, people have wondered how diamonds are made. It’s a mysterious process that has been shrouded in secrecy, but modern science has finally been able to unpack the process step by step, as we’ll now explore. This five-step diamond making process can be broken down into five main stages, including faceting and polishing, sorting and grading, color sorting, value sorting and cutting. Each of these stages plays an important role in ensuring that the final product is of the highest quality possible.
Mining
Diamond mining is probably one of the most labor-intensive methods for obtaining rough diamonds, but it’s also a way to get diamonds in their purest form. There are no chemicals involved at all in a diamond mine; miners simply dig and sift for diamonds in the same way that they have for thousands of years. This method is used only when pockets of diamonds have been found in highly mineralized kimberlite or lamproite pipes. What’s more, mines can be prohibitively expensive to run, since you need to purchase your land and create your roads into (and out) of a mine site. And even then, there’s no guarantee that diamonds will be present on your property.
Polishing
Once you’ve mined a diamond, you need to cut it so that it shines more brilliantly. Cutting is such an important part of the diamond design that there’s a very technical term for it: faceting. Faceting has been practised since ancient times, but recently technology has played a major role in transforming what was once an art into a science. Now instead of eyeballing diamonds with hand tools, technicians use advanced equipment to precision-cut stones with laser beams. The goal is always to remove as little material as possible while maximizing brilliance—which requires precise knowledge about how light behaves within diamonds and flawless execution on behalf of skilled craftsmen.
Cutting
In the cutting stage, diamond planning determines which specific shape is most desirable for a particular type of stone. For example, if an otherwise very valuable piece has undesirable inclusions, but can be recut to be set in a pendant that hides its flaws, the cutting may be a good option. If not, it would likely not be worth it to fix (or perhaps even sell) as is.
In short: Diamonds are cut and graded for clarity and colour at each step in their production; these two factors alone will determine how much value your diamond holds. Cutting also refers to re-cutting or repairing diamonds in post-production if they have been damaged or made dull by improper cuts during initial processes. This is particularly common with diamonds that have been improperly cut in past years due to poor diamond planning. The better your diamond planning, the more likely you’ll get a great final product.
Cleaning
After mined diamonds leave their underground origin, they go through a variety of processes to make them as pure and flawless as possible. Of all these steps, cleaning is typically one of the most time-consuming and expensive. The cleaned diamonds then proceed to a cutting centre where each diamond is cut into its final desired shape. After being shaped by skilled craftsmen, they enter another stage that involves polishing before heading off to become part of your engagement ring or another jewellery item. In short, there are many steps involved in diamond manufacturing. You should be aware of what they are so you can see how long it takes for diamonds to get from underground to sitting on your finger.
The Buying Process
Diamond scanner range in price from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars. The diamond-buying process is not complicated, and prices vary depending on whether you opt for an inexpensive diamond or a high-quality one. Here’s a basic outline for how diamonds make their way from mines to stores: Excavation, sorting and grading: Diamonds are mined from various locations around the world. They’re sent to diamond cutters to be sorted and graded based on quality. The diamonds then go through further grading as they’re shaped into standard sizes (1 carat, 1/2 carat and so on). Setting: A jeweler takes these standard-sized diamonds and places them into rings or other jewelry settings.
Then, they’re sold. In addition to determining what type of diamond you want, your budget will dictate where it comes from. If your budget allows, it’s worth looking at diamonds that have been certified by an independent third party such as GIA. This means they come with warranties and guarantees about color, clarity and cut grade that ensures you get what you pay for. Of course, all diamonds come with implicit guarantees—you won’t lose money if your diamond isn’t perfect but having certifications can help give buyers peace of mind when paying thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars for a single stone.