The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-03
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shape, is then viewed with reference Ia
forming the brilliants, etc, desired to the
best advantage. When the plan of shane
is decided upon-and it is usually fixed
with the desire to get the largest result con-
sistent with certain conditions relating to
the grain--the work of cutting is com.
menced.
The proverb of diamond cut diamond
is here shown to be verify therefore two
diamonds are required for the work of cut.
ting, which is done by rubbing one against
the other. The diamonds are set with
strong cement in the ends of wooden sticks
about foot in length. and shaped some
thing like drumsticks. In front Of the cut
ter is small oblong box with iron pins at
each side, which act as supports or full
crums for the sticks in the hauds of the
cutter. The open part of the box forms
receptacle for the diamond dust which is
made in the process Of cutting. 1t can be
readily conceived that the work of
CUTTING THE DIAMOND,
the hardest substance known in nature, is
no easy one, but one requiring au amount
of steady muscular effort and a habit cf
perseverance which must he a considerable
drain upon the vitality. The diamonds be-
ing set for cutting at the proper angle, are
brought into contact and rubbed one against
the other until the desired faces are made.
The powder resulting even from the wbitcst
stones is dark gray, and is used only for
polishing. The fingers Of the cutters are
covered with wells, Jumps and calloused
horny angles, which plainly indicate how
hard the work bears on them.
1t is only small and ordinary sized
stones thus can be cut by hand. In Ans
terdam it has long been the practice to take
the larger stones and grind them down by
the attrition of diamond dust-a tedious
and expensive process. Experiencing the
same difficulty in cutting large stones, our
Boston firm had built some two years ago
by Mr.. c. NJ. Field, an ingenious Boston
mechanic and half owner of the patent
right
DIAMOND CUTTING MACHINE.
But owing to an interference by New York
cutter they could not obtain a patent for it
until within few months past This has
at length been secured for both Europe
and America. The machine-a master
piece of mechanical skill, too complicated
for our present purpose of descriptions
combination of wheels, screws and levers
by which the motions of the hand of the
cutter are initiated; but the work is done
by itwith more mathematical exactness. BY
means of this machine the largest stones
can be cut with ease and rapidity in striking
contrast with the results achieved BY the
old hand method Large and small stones
can be shaped by it, and it is evidently des-
tined to work great revolution inthat one
branch of the art
If there be flaw in the stone, a groove
is cut opposite it in the line of cleavage,
and the stone split by placing hardened
instrument like knife blade in it and Civ
ing smart rap with hammer, when the
cleavage is effected, and the divided por-
tions worked into shape. Sometimes da-
monds have what is called knots in them,
which are as much harder than the diamond
itself as pine knots are harder than pine
wood. These are very refractory and al
most impossible to reduce by cutting or pol
ishing When the pieces Clipped off are
long and narrow they arc saved for drills
When thin they are broken up and worked
into rose diamonds, for setting in watch
cases, lockets, etc. Rose diamonds have
one side fiat, which is put downward in set
ting, while tho upper is finished with facet,
etc.
Diamonds are usually cut into the bril-
liant and rose forms The brilliant has Il
crown or table, consisting of large central
eight-sided facet and series of facets
around it, The lower part is shaped like
pyramid, and consists of series of
facets, with a smaller series near the collet,
which is parallel with and exactly opposite
the table. This is the noble form of cut
ting, and when perfect presents fifty eight
corners or angles. The old cutters CON
tend for sixty-tour, the additional six being
placed by them around the girdle. There
OF nrtD ot,.to nC hill 4
ing depth nearly or quite equal to the
breadth, some a greater depth, while 9th
ers are much greater in breadth than depth
The most perfect shape is where the
breadth is little greater than the depth.
When the stones are found thin in proper
ton to breadth they are made into rose or
portrait diamonds. The portrait is TIE
plainest mode of cutting, and is only en-
ployed on thin, flat stones. 1t has a square
or oblong central face, surrounded by four
sided facets corresponding to the sides OF
the square Stones of this kind are set in
rings over portraits or hair work, and are
very uncommon. One of this description
was shown us in the hands of the work
man and we know of but one other in nos.
ton.
THE WORK OF POLISHING DIAMONDS
is the most attractive part sof the business
This is done on horizontal wheels made
of porous iron, which are revolved at the
rate of twelve thousand times in minute.
On the upper surface of these, which are
run close to the work bench, the diamond
dust mixed with sweet oil is laid. The dia-
monds to be polished are fixed in the apex
of 'dop, shaped exactly like an acorn,
the stem being of copper wire TO be easily
/ hon sl,fn a, i :. ~
on the wheel. The cup is of hard metal.
| The inside, or acorn, is composed OF some
kind of solder, in the apex of which, while
in soft state. the diamond to be polished
is placed, with the grain at such an
angle that the work Of polishing can be
readily carried on. A stroke is made by
the setter in the hot solder in the direction
of the grain, and one at right angles to show
the inclination. The wire end is then Sc
cured in one end Of a machine called a
'tongs" which is cross between n boot
jack and planchette, the acorn forming
one of the three legs. 1t has an iron rod
for tail, which serves, in conjunction with
horizontal pins in the bench, to hold it in
place with the diamond cap resting on the
revolving wheel, and allowing of being
drawn in and out, so that the wear of attri-
ton shall not come altogether in one place
on the wheel A leaden weight is placed
on the back of this nondescript 'tongs" to
bear down on the stone TO be polished.
One workman can attend TO from one to
three of these "tongs' on one whoei.
One of the greatest curiosities of the pol.
ishing department of Crosby, Morse < Foss
is Simon De Young.
THE sALAMANDER MAN,
/ 1T Il Ia A..