Home >> Hobbies >> Gemology

How to Cleave a Diamond

Cleaving a diamond involves splitting a diamond into smaller pieces so that it may be used as a gem or drill diamond. In the 15th century, diamonds were cleaved by striking the diamond at the stone's weakest point using a chisel and mallet. Hitting the diamond at the wrong angle could cause it to shatter. In the 20th century, the diamond saw allowed diamond cutters to shape the diamond against the grain without shattering it. In the 1960s, De Beers introduced a diamond-cutting machine that could effectively shape and polish diamonds.

Things You'll Need

Diamond cutting machine
Diamond
Diamond dust

Instructions

- 1
  Fix the stone to be cleaved at the end of a rod with cement. Ensure that the direction of the cleavage is parallel to the end of the rod. Fix a second diamond that has a projecting edge to a similar rod. Grind the sharp edge of the second diamond against the first.
- 2
  Mark out the shape and positions of the facets. Fix the stone to a handle and rub against the projecting portion of another stone. Preserve the powder from the two stones for grinding. Heat the cement to remove the stone. Place the stone in another position and mark the facets in the same way. Repeat the process until you've finished faceting the diamond.
- 3
  Grind and polish the diamond by placing it on a grinding disc. Place diamond powder on the disc, as it has the same hardness as the gem itself. Complete grinding and polishing the diamond simultaneously. Treat the stone with fine bone ash or tripolite to remove any dirt from the grinding process.

Gemology