Master Diamond Cutter Mike Botha Takes on Esperanza

Master Diamond Cutter Mike Botha Takes on Esperanza

Evert Botha
June 26, 2015, was a game-changing day for Brooke Oskarson. At Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park—the only place where visitors can dig for their own diamonds—she discovered a diamond...

Re-Cutting Diamonds

Evert Botha
The crystal structure of diamonds has a significant impact on what cut grade and more specific, polished grade could be achieved. Diamond surfaces are anisotropic, meaning that they have varying...

Diamond Designs and Innovation

Evert Botha
In the realm of diamonds, the diversity of designs is staggering. Some are awe-inspiring, and others are, to put it mildly, unconventional. Each designer aspires to craft a unique piece...

Taking the Stress out of Stress in Diamonds

Evert Botha
Some people are surprised by the fact that many diamonds have what we call stress. One may ask the question; “how do I observe stress in a diamond?” Stress in...

Understanding Cut Grades

Evert Botha
Understanding cut grades allows a retailer to make informed decisions when purchasing diamonds and therefore buy better. It also allows a retailer to explain the cut grade of a diamond...

Facet Definition: What You Need to Know

Evert Botha
Every facet on a diamond fulfills a specific function. The crown facets are the ‘windows’ of the diamond which let light enter and exit a diamond. The pavilion facets are the...

How to Cut a Princess Diamond

Evert Botha
One of the things we have discovered after serving the jewelry industry for many years through our dedicated diamond re-cut and repair service is that Princesses form a disproportionate percentage...

Understanding Light Leakage in Diamonds

Evert Botha
There are a plethora of images on websites, and printed material to show the evils of flat or steep diamonds, but are they a correct rendering of what really happens...

Re-Cutting to the Rescue: Get the Most From Broken Diamonds

Evert Botha
There are millions of diamonds in the world today that have been cut to sub-standard levels. Re-cutting poorly cut or non-Excellent diamonds can be a profitable undertaking for jewelers. Many...

Is Titanium the New White Gold For Settings?

Evert Botha
Titanium has a 20x greater tolerance for impact, compared to a traditional white gold basket setting. Is titanium a better alternative? As a veteran in the diamond and jewellery industry...
Preventing Damage to Diamonds

Preventing Damage to Diamonds

Evert Botha
Most of us who have been in the diamond industry for decades have witnessed the horror of a diamond that broke due to an impact event. These damages always originate...
How to Deal With Bow Ties in Fancy Cut Diamonds

How to Deal With Bow Ties in Fancy Cut Diamonds

Evert Botha
When the crown and pavilion facets on a round brilliant diamond are in alignment (same index) and they are at similar angles for the respective opposing facets, then what could...