Why not cut every stone perfect?

[meffaman]

So I started thinking about why there are stones out there that aren''t cut very well? I mean, is there ever a reason a diamond can''t be cut well, or are some cutting houses just trying to maximize every last bit out of their rough? Is it a mix of that and the skill of the cutter?

It seems if you can get a premium for a smaller well cut stone it would just make sense to produce a quality product. But then again maybe they figure there''s a market for all qualities so just pump out some of everything and they''ll sell no matter what.

Just curious.

 

[chrono]

You''ve answered your own question perfectly. It is a combination of the different target markets and maximizing the rough.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 5/5/2008 5:19:05 PM
Author:meffaman
So I started thinking about why there are stones out there that aren''t cut very well? I mean, is there ever a reason a diamond can''t be cut well, or are some cutting houses just trying to maximize every last bit out of their rough? Is it a mix of that and the skill of the cutter?

It seems if you can get a premium for a smaller well cut stone it would just make sense to produce a quality product. But then again maybe they figure there''s a market for all qualities so just pump out some of everything and they''ll sell no matter what.

Just curious.

It is not the cutters fault - it is greedy girls who want carat weight naming rights on diamonds to show off to the other girls at the office

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/carat.asp there is a pretty good description here - look especially at the chart

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I would not put all the blame on the girls, Garry. That is just not fair.

The OP''s question is correct from the standpoint that what a consumer wants is ''sparkle'', and that cut is the C which provides this sparkle.

Unfortunately, over the past decades and possibly centuries, the other C''s have been given more attention by professionals. Still, the majority of retailers are mostly selling Carat weight, Colour and Clarity. Because of this, worldwide demand is not only for Cut. And more importantly, the ''market value'' of polished diamonds is mostly determined by Carat weight, Colour and Clarity, and only partially by Cut quality. My guess would be that 85% of the price is determined by the less important C''s.

It is only logical that supply follows demand, and since the price of rough is completely determined by the less important C''s, cutters are obliged to maximize the value of the rough, by following worldwide demand.

Is it the girls'' fault? I would argue that the jewelers have a huge responsibility too.

Live long,

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I think we should hold this over as a debate for Vegas in a few weeks Paul

If anyone with spare time can find the thread where Jim (James) Allen made good points in favour of carat weight - it had some great opinions.

Me - give me the sparkle any day all day.

But I still believe that carats are the least subjective value measure and so earn undue points.

 

[Stephan]

Date: 5/6/2008 4:07:19 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
If anyone with spare time can find the thread where Jim (James) Allen made good points in favour of carat weight - it had some great opinions.

Here is the link.
What do I win?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/6/2008 4:19:20 AM
Author: QueenMum

Date: 5/6/2008 4:07:19 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
If anyone with spare time can find the thread where Jim (James) Allen made good points in favour of carat weight - it had some great opinions.

Here is the link.
What do I win?