Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/104

 removal of flaws is a matter of great importance, for, owing to the form in which the diamond is cut, and its high degree of refrangibility, the smallest fault is infinitely multiplied, especially if near the collet, and becomes obtrusively visible in every facet.— For this reason also, it is by no means an easy matter, at all times, to ascertain whether a flaw is, or is not superficial; but a person of experience will often purchase to great advantage stones appearing to be full of flaws, which in fact exist only on the surface.

principal object of the artist, when a rough diamond is put into his hands, is to examine carefully in what direction the stone ought to be cut, and where to form the girdle or spread of the brilliant. So much stress is laid by modern fashion on the superficial ex-