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DIAMOND.
71
first facet. Another diamond[1] is employed, for this purpose, fixed as the former, with one of the solid angles projecting. To collect the powder and shivers that are detached during the process, the cutting is performed over a strong box, five or six inches long, furnished with a false bottom, perforated with excessively minute holes, in order to sift, as it were, the dust from the shivers; and also with two upright iron pegs fixed on the sides, for the workman to support and steady the sticks and his fingers against, while with a short repeated stroke, somewhat between rubbing and cutting, he is laboriously wearing away the dia-
- ↑ An inferior diamond, or a piece of bort, is generally used; but a skilful workman, if he has a lot to cut, will select those stones which suit his purpose, and so employ one against another, as to form two at the same time. The average work of a diamond-cutter is two carats per diem; but to polish the same requires twice that time. The usual price of cutting and polishing is 14s. per carat,
