Diamond polisher (Diamantslijper)
Information on this skill...
A diamond polisher is a craftsman who specializes in cutting rough diamonds into the diamonds as we all know them. Another name for diamond cutter is also called diamond worker or diamond surgeon. The profession of diamond polisher is usually reserved for craftsmen, who have first completed the training gold and silversmiths. After this training it is still possible to further specialize as a diamond polisher. This study can generally only be followed internally at diamond houses, because no training courses are offered through usual schools. Diamond is the hardest material on earth, and comes on the Mohs hardness scale at number 10. Working a rough diamond is therefore really specialist work, also because diamonds are precious. In addition, there are different types of cuts, which must be known to the diamond cutter. The profession of diamond polisher can therefore be regarded as a real craft profession that can only be learned in practice in a good way. As a diamond polisher you have a responsible job, because it is the diamond cutters who will determine the final quality of the diamonds. This means that as a diamond polisher you will apply the best cut to rough diamonds. In other words, as a diamond polisher you are directly responsible for the final yield of diamonds. One of the most important skills as a diamond polisher is therefore being able to assess rough diamonds. Assessment is important to achieve optimal results. Nowadays, a diamond polisher can cut by means of diamond material or by means of a synthetic abrasive. The profession of diamond polisher is less common nowadays, because the polishing of diamonds is increasingly left to workers in low-wage countries. This does not alter the fact that many diamond cutters are still working within Europe.
A diamond polisher must therefore be regarded as a craftsman, because a diamond polisher must have specific hand skills. Learning to cut diamonds is, as described earlier, only possible by gaining a lot of practical experience. Most diamond houses therefore offer a kind of traineeship, in which journeyman diamond cutters get all the time they need to learn the work. As a trainee you will work under the guidance of an experienced diamond cutter, who in that case can be regarded as your teacher. Depending on the diamond house, it is usually not necessary that you have a relevant prior education. This can differ per diamond house, because professional knowledge as a diamond polisher is very important. Being able to work accurately as a diamond cutter is more important for most employers than a recognized vocational training. However, it is important that you are of undiscussed behavior. A certificate of conduct will therefore be mandatory as a diamond polisher.
ASSESSING DIAMONDS
A diamond is very hard and is never the same in its rough shape. A diamond consists of carbon. When a rough diamond arrives at a diamond worker, he will first assess the diamond, and see how the diamond can best be processed so that most of the diamond can be used. There are many points that a diamond worker should take into account when a rough diamond comes in, such as the colors, shapes, weights, purity, and defects such as inclusions and glissen. Clefts are fault lines or fission planes in a diamond.
DIAMOND MINE
The most important diamond mine is the Kimberly mine in South Africa. Here the most and most beautiful diamonds are found so far. This mine is very heavily guarded against theft by employees. All employees who come upstairs are checked by security for smuggling of diamonds. Most diamonds that are brought up are white diamonds, and sometimes colored diamonds come out of a mine that are even more precious. The pink red diamonds are the resin and rarest and therefore the most expensive, depending on the purity of the diamond. Diamonds can be controversial when we speak of so-called blood diamonds. This concerns diamonds from conflict areas, the proceeds of which will be used to finance rebel groups. Trading in blood diamonds is becoming less and less common due to international agreements and rules.
MOST BEAUTIFUL DIAMONDS
The most beautiful diamonds are processed in jewelry. The lesser qualities are often processed in the industry. A diamond is determined by the four C's and those are: Carat the weight, Clarite the purity, Cut the cut and Color the color. Someone who specializes in identifying diamonds is called a gemologist. A gemologist is able to determine the purity of diamonds. This is important to be able to determine the value of diamonds in the field. It is, among other things, the gemologist, who can value diamonds. This is important, because diamonds are also common within the trade. A gemologist cannot be regarded as a diamond cutter. The processing of diamonds is done, among other things, by the Beers in London. Antwerp is home to one of the most important trading bodies when it comes to diamonds. A diamond polisher cannot be regarded as a diamond setter, because this concerns other activities.
WHAT DOES A DIAMOND POLISHER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A DIAMOND POLISHER
There are no training opportunities through ordinary schools for the profession of diamond polisher. Currently, the two best-known Dutch diamond dealers, Coster Diamonds and Gassan Diamonds, are setting up a training to become a diamond polisher, because there is currently no real training in the Netherlands. In Belgium there is a training to become a diamond worker, of about six years. Learning how to process diamonds is not an easy task. It will usually take many years before you are able to work diamonds independently. The training to become a diamond polisher generally consists of practice. In the Netherlands, there are courses and courses possible for the field of gemology, which may help with the basic knowledge of gemstones. A diamond cutter does not set diamonds. There are other specialists for this, such as a rose diamond setter. Setting rose diamond is completely different from setting a brilliant cut diamond. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A DIAMOND POLISHER CAN BE EMPLOYED
As a diamond polisher, you usually work for a diamond center, as described above. As an independent entrepreneur, this profession does not occur as far as we know. When the diamonds are ready, they are sold to traders, private individuals, jewellers, goldsmiths and silversmiths.
COMPETENCES DIAMOND POLISHER
As a diamond polisher you have to have a great perseverance, because especially the training to become a diamond polisher is very long and heavy. In addition, you must be able to work very accurately. But of course you also have to know diamonds and all the machines and techniques that are available to be able to process them, as you will be taught during your training. To become a good diamond worker, it is important that you have a lot of passion for diamonds. Generally important words are independence, motivation, representative, reliability, stress resistance, cooperation, energy, flexibility and communication.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A DIAMOND POLISHER
As a diamond cutter, there is no work to be found just like that. The work is so specialized that it can only be done after a very long training. It is therefore not just possible to find work in the diamond industry. Becoming a diamond cutter is therefore something that must be chosen very consciously at a young age, in order to have a chance at a job. Growing as a diamond polisher should be seen in becoming better known as a diamond polisher by carrying out an important assignment so that you will build brand awareness. As far as we know, there are no further career opportunities.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY DIAMOND POLISHER
The employment conditions as a diamond polisher can differ per employer, but will generally be well arranged. A diamond polisher usually earns a good salary, partly because the work is so specialized. As a diamond cutter you will earn between 2500 and 4000 euros gross per month depending on your age, education and responsibilities. As a diamond polisher you earn the most if you have gained a lot of experience and you are responsible for the largest and most special diamonds.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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