Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-07-03
DIAMOND CUTTING.


After travelling through Germany, some
time ago, made 'op at Amsterdam, the
interesting capital Of old Holland. and had
the curiosity TO visit the large diamond
cutting establishments Of that city, which
give employment to no less than 10000
men. The diamonds cut there amount in
aggregate value to Rt.OO0,O00 annually.
Diamond-cutting is very simple process,
and. like many other mechanical operations.
may, of course. be we'll or bunglingly gly exc
cuted. Holland, however takes the lead in
cutting, as Russia excels in setting the dia-
mond.
Accompanied by a guide. I entered a
special office, where 1 registered my name.
and was then conducted to the cutting
room. Here each workman had little tin
box before him, containing II collection of
what looked like small crystal pebbles On
one of the crystals being taken up, it was
carefully examined. and the side which
would make the best front then decided on.
1t was next secured to Il hlndlc by piece
wax held it sufficiently secure. and left ex-
posed only that face W. h was first to be
cut Then was seen the actual Diamond
| cut Diamond
The cutting diamond. which the work.
man held in his right hand, had q sharp
edge (not always Of tho same shape), one
eighth of an inch long, and was set in a
handle like that of 4 glazicr's diamond, on
ly little larger and stronger. This dia-
mond is generally Of the hardest quality.
1t is really wonderful, considering the OBJ
durate nature Of the material, how quickly
the rough diamond was cut into shape.
When it had large or heavy portion which
was to be removed, Il small notch was cut
! at the place where the fragment WAS in
tended to be split of. Picking up piece
of steel about twelve inches long, one
eighth of an inch thick, and one and three
| quarters inches wide, one edge of which
was sharp and hard and had Il short bevel,
the workman placed the edge in the notch.
made with the cutting diamond, and strik-
ing light blow on the back, the splinter
| came off.
These splintcrs are saved and worked up
into small briliants OF glazier's points
| There is an art in using the cutting dia-
mond so as not to wear it outtoo fast. The
cutting was done lengthwise with the edge
of the cutting diamond, commencing at one
extremity of the face to be made on the
rough diamond, cutting off, little by little,
as in planning cast iron. The small parti-
cles crumbled away from the diamond were
saved and sifted for the polishing. When
one face was cut the cement was softened.
and the diamond turned around far enough
to present fresh face to be treated as the
previous one, and i'll this way the diamond
was all prepared for polishing.
We were conducted to the polishing room.
The polishing wheels were of cast iron,
about twenty-four inches in diameter, and
ran horizontally; the polishing being per-
,ormed upon the upper side of the wheel.
The diamond was now embedded in lead
and attached to piece of wood, hinged at
the outer end, in order that the workman
may raise it to see how the work progresses,
and apply the polishing paste mixed with
diamond dust. The polishing wheel had
room for several diamonds undergoing pol
ishing at the same time and one man could
superintend all on wheel.
was Afterwards led to the sample room,
where the beautifully polished brilliants
were exhibited, and also models Of all the
largest diamonds in the world. l saw, too,
some specimens of pebbles cemented to-
gether, containing diamonds as they are
found in the mines. Most of the diamonds
come from Brazil
The mines of Golconda, formerly proverb-
as they finally did not produce sufficient to
nav expenses Other mines have been
abandoned for the same reason. Late ac-
counts of diamond mines in the Orange
River Settlements, in South Africa. point
out fresh fields for the diamond adyenturer.
The papers announce that there is ono from
this territory On the way to Europe. valued
at e32, 900.
The discovery of these mines was, as in
most other cases. accidental, while search
ing for gold, 1t is said that diamonds were
first found in Brazil by the natives. when
examining the sands washed down from the
mountains for grains Of gold The glitter.
ing crystals were laid aside as curiosties.
A disintercsted miner, whose name does not
appear on record, arrived from Europe, saw
their value. and. instead of quietly buying
them up, instructed the people as to the
nature Of the discovery.