Diamond

A rough diamond so resembles a pebble that most people would pass it by without a glance. It is the skill of the craftsmen that unlocks the fiery beauty that lies within. The knowledge required for this incredibly demanding art has often been passed down over the centuries from generation to generation and an art it is for those involved simply cannot afford to make mistakes. At risk is not just the diamond itself, but anywhere from several hours to several months of work, for that is what is required in the cutting and polishing of each stone. During this time consuming process it is also interesting to learn that, on average, each stone will lose 50% of its original weight.

The beauty of a diamond depends on the way it reflects and refracts light. The polisher must facet the stone so that it reflects light directly to the eye, while also allowing it to bounce around freely inside and emerge from the top. In this way, the maximum amount of light is reflected, and the diamond sparkles with fire, brilliance and scintillation.

The places where diamonds are found and where these skilled craftsmen may work sometimes lie thousands of miles apart, for the diamond industry is truly international. Diamonds are polished in many places around the world, but the most significant centers are New York, Antwerp, Israel and India. Indeed, the diamond market is very important to these countries. For example, around three quarters of a million people work in the industry in India alone. In Israel, nearly 10,000 are employed in a business which generates around 25% of that country's total export earnings.

Other colored stones: