Benefits of Using Diamond Paste for Lapidary Polishing

Lapidary is a form of art that involves cutting, shaping, and polishing hard materials such as stones to create decorative objects, sculptures, and jewelry. This craft demands specialized techniques and tools, which is why many jewelers opt to outsource lapidary work to experts. Nevertheless, beginners can also undertake most jobs with the appropriate polishing compounds and attachments using a flex shaft or micromotor.

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Using diamond paste in lapidary polishing offers several advantages. Firstly, it is highly effective in polishing hard materials like quartz, corundum, and topaz, which are difficult to work with using traditional polishing pastes. It also works well with softer materials like jade, turquoise, and lapis lazuli, achieving a high level of polish that can be challenging to achieve with traditional pastes. Additionally, diamond paste provides high precision, allowing lapidary artists to create intricate designs and shapes with greater accuracy. The paste's fine diamond particles can access the tiniest cracks and corners on the surface of the material being polished, ensuring a uniform and even finish. This precision is especially important in creating faceted gemstones, where the angles and facets require a high degree of accuracy. Moreover, diamond paste is highly durable and can be used repeatedly without losing its effectiveness. Unlike traditional polishing pastes that wear out quickly and require frequent replacement, diamond paste can be used for multiple polishing sessions, making it a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Lapidary Polishing with Diamond Paste

One of the primary benefits of diamond paste is its effectiveness in polishing hard materials such as quartz, corundum, and topaz. These materials can be challenging to work with using traditional polishing pastes, but diamond paste can achieve a high level of polish on them. Additionally, diamond paste is also effective in polishing softer materials like jade, turquoise, and lapis lazuli, which can be difficult to achieve with traditional polishing pastes.

Another advantage of diamond paste is its precision. Lapidary artists can achieve intricate designs and shapes with greater accuracy due to the fine diamond particles in the paste. These particles can reach even the smallest crevices and angles on the surface of the material being polished, resulting in a more uniform and consistent finish. Accurate polishing is crucially significant when producing faceted gemstones as it requires precise polishing of angles and facets.

Diamond paste is also highly durable, which makes it a more cost-effective option in the long run. Diamond paste, unlike conventional polishing pastes, has the ability to withstand multiple polishing sessions and does not wear out quickly, hence it doesn't require frequent replacement. This feature not only saves money but also time and effort.

To initiate the process of lapidary polishing with diamond paste, it is recommended to use Diamond paste Type L. This involves using four specific micron grades: 45 micron and 25 micron for shaping, 14 micron for polishing, and finally, 1 micron to attain a superior level of polish.

To use the Diamond paste, start by squirting lubricating fluid into a small dish and adding a small amount of diamond paste to form a paste. Next, immerse the felt bob or wheel in the mixture and smoothly rub it over the stone's surface. It is essential to clean the stone with detergent and a clean, soft brush each time you change grits to avoid mixing a coarser grit with a finer one and accidentally scratching a stone. Properly organizing the syringes, wheels, and bobs according to their respective grit is also crucial for proper storage, as it helps prevent cross-contamination.

Polishing Gems: Comparing Oxide Polish vs. Diamond Polish

Polishing natural gems requires a decision between using oxide polish or diamond polish. Both abrasives have their strengths and weaknesses, but the choice should depend on the type of gemstone being polished and the desired outcome.

Oxide polish, made from aluminum oxide or cerium oxide, is commonly used in lapidary work for its ability to create a high-quality polish on a broad range of gemstones. It can be used dry or with the addition of water or oil and is usually applied with a felt or leather polishing wheel. Oxide polish is a versatile option that can polish various gemstones, including quartz, agate, jasper, and opal.

On the other hand, diamond polish is a specialised abrasive made from industrial-grade diamonds, which is used for polishing harder gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, and diamond itself. Diamond polish comes in different grit sizes, with smaller grit sizes producing a higher polish. Diamond polish is typically used with a diamond paste or spray applied to a polishing cloth or pad. It has the advantage of creating a high-quality polish on harder gemstones that oxide polish may struggle with.

When choosing between oxide polish and diamond polish, it is important to consider the specific needs of the project at hand. Oxide polish is a cost-effective option that can polish a broad range of gemstones. On the other hand, diamond polish is a more specialised abrasive that is ideal for harder gemstones that require a higher level of polish. While both abrasives have their advantages and disadvantages, the decision should ultimately depend on the type of gemstone being polished and the desired outcome.

The Diamond Cutting And Polishing Process

By

Bryan Boyne (g.g.)

The process of cutting of a rough diamond crystal into a finished gem is sometimes referred to generally as diamond polishing. While the process of crafting a polished diamond involves many different steps, the final polishing of all the facets is a crucial step in determining the quality and beauty of the finished gem.

A rough diamond crystal before it has been polished

Before the actual final step of polishing, a rough crystal must be planned, sawn, and shaped. Each rough diamond offers a unique challenge. Determining the best approach requires careful analysis of the potential of the crystal which involves a complex calculus involving clarity features, shape and orientation the crystal, and the economics of different potential yield scenarios. The crystallographic orientation is a critical consideration in the plan as certain directional planes differ in hardness making it impossible to polish in certain directions.

Hand drawn markings on a rough diamond crystal marking cut lines

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Planning has been significantly aided in recent years by advance scanning hardware coupled with sophisticated computer software. Once the plan is decided upon, the crystal is sawn into the pieces that will eventually become individual diamonds. Each of these pieces is then blocked into basic shapes.

Screen shot from diamond planning software showing how three diamonds can be cut from an actual piece of rough considering clarity features and crystallographic orientation.

Illustration of two princess cuts that can be produced from an octahedral diamond crystal

Illustration of two different potential yield scenarios from a single crystal

The main cutting instrument is the cutting &#;wheel&#; called a scaife &#; a disk impregnated with diamond powder that turns at rpms. The diamond is held against the scaife in a device called a tang.

Scaife with tang holding diamond crystal

The first basic facets that are placed on the diamond with the cutting wheel determine the overall proportions and outline of the diamond. Proper proportions are critical to the eventual light performance (and beauty) of the polished diamond as they will determine the internal reflection and refraction of light within the diamond and back to the eye, as well as how much light will be lost to leakage.

After the main facets are placed on the diamond, the ancillary facets are cut. Finally, every facet is polished to a mirror finish, or as perfect a finish as the crystal will allow. Certain aspect of the crystal will influence the ultimate finish that can be achieved. Things like graining in the crystal may make a mirror finish on some facets difficult or impossible.

Stages of the Diamond Polishing Process

A mirror finish enables the diamond to possess as much external luster as possible and optimizes the internal reflection of light rays as they bounce from facet to facet before being returned to the eye of the observer. Light rays exiting from a facet with an imperfect polish are degraded in terms of dispersion (fire) or brightness (brilliance). Facets that do not have a high polish are also prone to accumulating dirt and oils that result in further loss of performance. Diamonds with inferior polish require more frequent cleaning in order to look their best.

Polish and symmetry are the two factors of finish that are assessed on a laboratory grading report . A diamond graded as having Ideal polish indicates that each and every facet on the diamond has a mirror finish.

A Tiny Sculpture of Mirrors

A polished diamond is a tiny system of mirrors. A well designed facet structure will capture and return a high percentage of light entering through the crown, bounce it around internally and then return it to the eye with a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. Corresponding facets need to be in three dimensional alignment (sometimes referred to as optical symmetry or optical precision) in order for that to happen to the fullest extent possible. Facet arrangements that are not optimized for light handling, or failures in execution by the diamond cutter, result in polished diamonds that are deficient in capturing the full beauty of the gem. An in-depth look at the magical property of diamond fire reveals how this miniature system of mirrors operates.

Diamond Cutting For Weight Over Beauty

A problem that has plagued the diamond cutting industry for over a hundred years is the philosophy of maximizing yields at the expense of light performance and beauty. What is truly special about diamonds, in addition to their rarity and durability, is their unsurpassed potential for fire and brilliance. It is the design and craftsmanship of the cutting and polishing that determines whether a given diamond will fulfill this promise. Compromises in proportioning and precision result in deficits in optical performance. And these compromises are routinely made in order to retain the most carat weight out of the starting rough.

Exactly how this philosophy arose and was perpetuated in the diamond trade is the subject of a fascinating historical account by Al Gilbertson. In his book American Cut: The First 100 Years we learn that the early cutters from Europe were paid a wage based upon how much finished weight in polished diamonds they could retain from the roughs that were supplied them by their shop owner. Although there were a few pioneers even in those very early days who insisted on cutting for beauty, the status quo would prevail and to a significant degree, continues to persist to this day.

As mentioned in Mr. Gilbertson&#;s book, one of those early pioneers and champions of cutting for beauty was Robert Morse who was fond of saying &#;Shopping for diamonds by the carat is like buying a racehorse by the pound!&#;

Ideal and Super Ideal Cut Diamonds

While most diamond manufacturing is still driven by yield, a few modern cutters and retailers have dedicated themselves to the goal of maximizing light performance and beauty. The more expensive practice of forgoing some carat weight for the goal of producing the finest performing diamonds has given rise to a relatively small niche of merchants offering Ideal and Super Ideal cut diamonds. A diamond report from the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) is the document of choice for these demanding merchants. AGSL has the most scientifically advanced cut grade system in the market. It uses sophisticated ray tracing technologies to measure the fundamental aspects of light performance; brightness, contrast, dispersion and leakage. Only diamonds with no significant deficits in any of these aspects can earn a grade of Ideal.

The super ideal category is even more restrictive. The stringent requirements for this designation involve assessment of three dimensional precision and other characteristics that further distinguish this elite category from Ideal diamonds. The A CUT ABOVE® is one of the most celebrated of the super ideal brands and features a full set of published specifications and qualifications making these diamonds some of the finest ever brought to market.

Find Your Perfect A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal Cut Diamond

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