How Diamonds are Made into Jewelry: Cutting, Setting & More

     There are several factors that serve to define a truly stunning piece of jewelry. The type of metal utilized, the level of craftsmanship, and its inherent characteristics will all have a massive impact. However, there is no doubt that the presence of a high-quality diamond can make or break even the most expensive pieces.

     Of course, this is partially due to the sheer brilliance of the stone itself. We nonetheless need to remember that it takes a great deal of skill to transform a rather generic piece of jewelry into one which captivates the eye of the beholder. This is why appreciating the process in greater detail is always a good idea. How is an otherwise "anonymous" diamond transformed into jewelry? Let us take a look at the process in a bit more detail.

How Diamonds are Made into Jewelry: Cutting, Setting & More
Photo by Joeyy Lee on Unsplash

Rating the Stone

     Jewelers will classify the quality of any diamond in accordance with four metrics:

• Cut
• Color
• Quality
• Carat

     Not only will these features impact the price of the stone itself, but they can also impact how the diamond is shaped.

Cutting the Diamond

     The cut of a diamond is performed in such a way as to accentuate its natural characteristics and to enable it to reflect as much light as possible. As you might have imagined, there are numerous cuts that a jeweler can select. These are determined by the size of the stone as well as where any flaws may be located. The primary goal is to maximize the amount of carat weight that any rough diamond has to offer by cutting it in specific manners. In fact, there are many times when a single rough diamond will yield multiple stones. Some common cuts include round princess, brilliant, emerald, cushion, and marquis.

Choosing the Right Setting

     Once the cut has been determined and the diamond has been polished to perfection, the next step is to choose the type of setting that will be employed. Of course, the setting will be partially determined by the size of the diamond (you can take a look at the characteristics of a one-carat diamond by following here: https://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-education/diamond-carat/1-carat. The style of the setting needs to match the shape of the diamond, as the associated prongs are designed in such a manner as to keep the stone firmly in place.

Mounting the Diamond

     The final step involves inserting the polished diamond into its setting. A jeweler will then gently bend the prongs down so that they come into contact with the stone; ensuring that it is firmly attached. Although settings are certainly functional, their designs can also be used to enhance the overall appeal of the diamond itself.

     We can now see that there are a handful of steps that need to be expertly addressed when creating an unforgettable piece of diamond jewelry. This is why it takes many years of training to become an expert in this true one-of-a-kind profession.