Cutting diamonds – the practice of turning a rough stone to a faceted gem – seems, at times, as old as time itself. Aggressive marketing and branding have assisted in creating that illusion, of course. It actually became an established practice in Germany in 1375, when the first guild of diamond cutters and polishers was formed. Cutting diamonds as a specialized practice has evolved through the centuries with ever-improving tools, equipment and techniques. As diamond mining developed, and the marketing of diamonds rings and jewels evolved, so did the demand for cut diamonds.
In recent years, a growing trend emerges, as more and more companies are adding rough jewelry lines. This enables jewelry designers to introduce unique, one-of a kind piece for every rough stone. Major global diamond companies – De Beers, for example – have their own line of rough diamond jewelry, including rings of course. Diamond in the Rough, another diamond company, introduced a huge 305-carat rough diamond in Neiman Marcus’ Holiday Catalog in 2007.
In Israel, Ben Gad Industrial Diamond, run by sisters Tali and Iris Ben Gad, specialize in industrial diamonds set in jewelry. “We found that designers were interested in the subject and that there is demand in the Israel market as well as abroad”, they said in a recent interview to Hayahalom magazine. It seems, then, that rough diamonds set in jewelry – from daring necklaces to spectacular rings – are here to stay.
