A diamantaire evaluates and cuts rough diamonds into the most appropriate shape for the stone’s characteristics and desired setting. They may also acquire stones and work in the diamond industry. The process involves evaluating the stone, developing a cutting plan, and slowly revealing the stone’s facets. The job requires a high level of aesthetic training and familiarity with changing jewelry fashions.
A diamantaire is a person who specializes in evaluating rough diamonds and cutting them into the most appropriate shape for the stone’s characteristics and the desired setting. This term is also more generally used to refer to people who work in the diamond industry, especially if they are leading members of diamond companies; they may not directly interact with the stones in the cutting process, but they do evaluate and acquire stones. People involved in this field usually learn through on-the-job training, starting out as apprentices and gradually taking on more advanced tasks.
Diamonds are generally knowledgeable about other gemstones as well as diamonds, and may be involved in evaluating and cutting a variety of stones. His work begins with the observation of rough stones. The stone may need to be cleaned and a small facet cut to obtain a window in the stone. This is used to get an idea of the quality of the stone. The stone will be graded and the diamantaire can begin to consider how the stone can be cut. Half the weight or more can be lost in the process of developing a rough stone into a finished gemstone.
The diamantaire can work an entire stone, but more commonly, rough diamonds are cut into smaller stones and developed individually. A cutting plan must be developed. Some stones can be cut according to very basic and generic guidelines. In other cases, the cut must be customized to the stone. The aim is to create the correct arrangement of facets, allowing light to bounce within the stone and bring out its best features. The diamantaire must consider issues such as inclusions in the stone that may make cutting difficult or degrade its quality.
The actual cutting process includes working with a variety of tools to slowly reveal the stone’s facets. When the stone is fully cut, it can be polished to prepare it for sale. In some parts of the diamond industry, the diamantaire also engraves the stone with a code that provides information about its origins. This practice is used by companies that participate in programs that certify diamonds as conflict-free, indicating that they have not been used to finance wars and other illegal activities.
The diamantaire is a skilled craftsman, familiar with quickly evaluating stones and deciding on the best way to handle them. The job also requires a high level of aesthetic training, including familiarity with changing jewelry fashions. Historically, the focus of gemstone cutting was to preserve as much of the stone as possible. Today, it showcases the natural beauty of the stone and can involve innovative facet patterns to set a stone apart from other pieces.
In the sense of a professional in the diamond industry who does not actively cut stones, the diamantaire is responsible for procuring stones for a diamond company, discussing plans for cutting and displaying them, and interacting with customers who wish to purchase diamonds.
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