Cutting a rough diamond?

Question

Hi, I'm curious to know how large of a diamond most cutters are usually abole to get from rough. If the diamond rough is an ideal shape and it's 2 ct can a cutter usually get a 1ct stone? How much material is usually lost?

Answer 1

Average waste is about 50% but this depends on a lot of factors such as shape and cleavage. Considerations such as inclusions that are to be excluded from the final stone also play a factor.

An ideally shaped rough stone with just the right cleavage and minimal inclusions at 2ct should produce a cut stone just above 1ct.