Diamond cutting is an intricate and niche process which includes the cutting of diamonds, before selling to customers. Diamond cutting can also affect the value of the finished product, showing how important this stage of the process is. This could be the difference between diamond prices being high or not.
To ensure there is safety compliance around the use of diamond cutting, it’s important there is a process in place for the cutting of diamonds. This is as follows:
- Planning: The planning process often involves the use of computer software, ensuring the cutting can be done as intricately as possible to match the outcome.
- Marking: This outlines the best possible shape for cutting the diamond, and will outline a path for the cuttings when they take place.
- Cleaving or sawing: The stone is then cut down to a manageable size, by its weakest line or sawing with a phosphor-bronze blade. Not all diamonds are sawn, so if there are any rough stones then they need to be sawn. Rough stones are cheaper to purchase because they are yet to go through the costly cutting and refining process.
- Bruting: Bruting is a process in diamond cutting that establishes the girdle outline.
- Polishing: The diamond is polished to create its final shine, before being examined for its cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
Safety concerns around diamond cutting operations
Despite diamond cutting overall being a safe practice, there are health and safety guidelines to follow to reduce the risk of accident and injury. However, sometimes accidents happen that require medical attention. Some of the most common injuries include:
Eye injury
Cutting and shaping stone comes with the risk of fragment stone flicking up and hitting people in the eye. The nature of diamond stone leads to the risk of flying shards that can be very fast, giving the operator very little time to mitigate the risk if no protection is worn. If the operator then rubs their eye, this increases the risk of more serious damage.
To mitigate the risk, operators should invest in safety goggles that provide full eye coverage so any small fragments will avoid making direct contact.
Sharp tools
To cut diamonds accurately, there are a variety of sharp tools used to cut diamonds including diamond core drills, saw blades, grinding wheels and hard cutting tools. Diamond saw blades are the most common and used tool, thanks to their precision and exceptional durability. However, the use of these tools could cause injury if they are not being operated correctly, or there is an issue with the equipment.
Regular risk assessments looking at the functionality of all sharp tools and cutting equipment will help ensure all tools are in working order. Refresher training given to team members on how to use equipment correctly and safely can further reduce the risk of injury.
Dust Inhalation
With the nature of diamond cutting producing dust, there is always a risk of inhaling it whilst cutting diamonds. This can lead to a variety of serious health complications including lung disease, asthma and other respiratory issues. This is due to the dust containing harmful particles like crystalline silica and cobalt.
In order to reduce the chances of dust inhalation, there are multiple methods that can be used. The use of dust extraction through a high powered vacuum can help to collect dust at the source, reducing the chance of dust particles roaming in the air. Keeping windows open can also ensure the workshop is fully ventilated.
Wearing personal protective equipment can reduce dust inhalation, named Respiratory protective equipment (RPE). These can come in two forms, from masks and breathing apparatus, and work to make sure no dust particles are inhaled.
Overall, it’s clear diamond cutting is one of the best ways to help enhance a diamond’s brilliance, beauty and value. When performed safely, it’s an effective tool for making diamonds look as beautiful as they can.