| nds have been used as status symbols and | | | | shaped into a finished product. At times, the |
| heirlooms for thousands of years. Before modern | | | | diamond's symmetry is sacrificed in order to |
| equipment for mining diamonds were used, | | | | eliminate inclusions found in the uncut diamond. |
| diamonds were said to be sighted on riverbeds. | | | | The largest uncut diamond ever discovered and |
| These stones have reached the surface of the | | | | authenticated is the Cullinan diamond, found by a |
| Earth but have actually been formed billions of | | | | Supt. Wells in the afternoon of January 26, 1905. |
| years ago. | | | | He was making his regular inspection when he |
| From the Greek term "adamas" meaning | | | | noticed something that reflected light in the shaft. |
| unconquerable, the word diamond has always | | | | He pried it out using a pocketknife and up until the |
| signified durability and superiority. Even before the | | | | time he had it analyzed, thought it was a practical |
| science and art of cutting were developed, uncut | | | | joke played on him by the miners. |
| diamonds have already been cherished by people | | | | This uncut diamond had a weight of 1.5 pounds |
| from all walks of life. | | | | and was eventually split into 9 major pieces. |
| Ancient royalty used uncut diamonds to reinforce | | | | Joseph Asscher was tasked to work on the |
| their breastplates. As they still did not have the | | | | uncut diamond and years later was honored with |
| technology and the knowledge we now know, | | | | a diamond cut named after him – the |
| people of long ago wore them as is, without ever | | | | "Asscher cut." |
| knowing the true beauty these diamonds | | | | Recently, a massive 7,000-carat rock believed to |
| possessed within. | | | | be a diamond was discovered in South Africa. If |
| Uncut diamonds can present challenges to gem | | | | authenticated, this faint green stone that's nearly |
| artisans. The type of cut is only determined after | | | | the size of a coconut would become the largest |
| a careful study of the uncut diamond's shape, plus | | | | uncut diamond ever to be discovered in all history. |
| its inclusions and where the flaws to be removed | | | | Manufactured diamonds are preferred by many |
| are located. They also need to determine which | | | | because of their affordability. Popular figures such |
| cut should preserve the uncut diamond's weight | | | | as Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis and Princess Diana |
| the most. | | | | were known to alternately wear genuine |
| Another factor that gemologists need to consider | | | | diamonds and manufactured diamonds. This is |
| is the popularity of a diamond's shape. There are | | | | because they occasionally have the desire to |
| certain diamond shapes that significantly raise or | | | | wear costume jewelry, and manufactured |
| lower the value of a gem. | | | | diamonds are perfect for this purpose. |
| When the uncut diamond is in the shape of an | | | | This is because costume jewelry are often ornate |
| octahedron, the preferred cut is a round brilliant. | | | | and make use of massive stones, and it’s |
| On the other hand, fancy cuts are used for uncut | | | | highly impractical to use mined diamonds on such |
| diamonds that are irregularly shaped. There is a | | | | large chunky pieces. |
| significant loss of weight after an uncut diamond is | | | | |