Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-12-11
CUTTING DIAMONDS.
The Various Stages of Delicate ana
Interesting Process.

fnteresttbE ffot'
'sIae diamond. when mined, saia an
expert. lis very often OF shape so I'M
oven that. in preference to cutting half
off and letting that part go 10 dus'' as
was formerly done, ineisiOns are now
made running with the grain OF the dia'
mond. The incision is made with the
sharn edge of another diamond. The
cleaying Knife Is then Inserted and given
a sharp tap, and the stone will spit as
the grain runs. and thus two or more
smaller but better shaped Diamonds are
made.
AFTER the diamond is cleft II Is neces-
sary TO do the rough cutting technicanE
known as 'bruting,' This is done By
afiixing two diamonds on the ends OF
two lockwood sticks with very hard
cement. One is then rubbed against the
other, aud diamond cuts diamond. They
are held over a cutting box having two
Iron pegs for levers and containing hneiy
perforated brass pans, through which
the dust falls, the chips remaining in the
top pan.
"1'he stone, having been cut to the sat
isfaetion OF the master, is taken to the
polishing room. where a setter selects
suitable sized brass cup, called a dope,
fills ii with a mixture of lead and tin
and melts it in a gas flame. Having
worked the solder to its proper shape he
places the diamond in the center, leaving
only a very small part exposed. A mark is
made on the solder before il becomes
thoroughly set. and then the stone Is
passed on TO the polisher. by the mark
made on the solder the latter knows at
al, . . Ia In nd
way in which it will polish to the best
advantage on the mill.
"The first operation Is the making OF
the table of the diamond. This done, II
Is handed back TO the setter that he may
take it out of the solder and reset 1t for
the first corner, called the fat corner.
The solder is again marked to indicate
to the pclisher the run OF the grain OF
this particular corner, and so the process
Is continued until the diamond Is polished
throughout. Every facet has name.
and every name denotes the grain and
how TO polish that particular facet The
polisher uses a circular disk composed OF
soft, porous iron. so that as the diamond
Is polished away in the form of dust it
enters the pores OF the iron, the result
being that we have the diamond cutting
the diamond again.
without the assistance OF the diamond
dust the iron would not make the slightest
impression on the diamond. The polish
ing wheel or disk is propelled by steam
power and makes 1000 TO 5000 revolu-
tons in minute. Before the silently re-
volving disks you will see men so intent
upon their work that they have eyes for
nothing else; for, notwithstanding the
perfection of the machinery, the skill Of
the workmen remains OF primal impor-
lance. 1t is with their fingers and thumbs
that they adjust the points, edges and
facets of the diamond with extreme ac-
curacy, keeping them constantly moist
with diamond dust and olive oil. The
thumbs of the wdrkmen, being used con-
tinually and with much force. become
greatly enlarged.
''The beauty of cut or finished stone
depends so much upon the form and posi-.
ton of the facets that moderately fine
stone. well cut and polished, is OF far
greater value than large one less arts
ticaily worked. 1t sometimes happens
that the lapidary receives a stone Of very
unfortunate shape. His duty will, there
fore be to take all possible care TO pre-
serve its size and, hiding its faults. give
il such form as shall send 1t forth with
the greatest weight consistent with beau
ty and brilliancy. "-Indianapo Journal.