Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/103

 SECT. VIII.

Art of Cutting, Splitting, Sawing, and Polishing Diamonds.

object of cutting and polishing the Diamond is twofold. First, to divide the natural surface of the stone in a symmetrical manner, by means of a number of highly polished polygonal planes (facets), and thus to bring out to the best advantage the wonderful refulgence of this beautiful gem; and secondly, by cutting away such flaws as may happen to be near the surface, to remove those blemishes that materially detract from its beauty, and consequently from its value.