Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, but have you ever heard of a spherical diamond? These unique stones are a far cry from traditional diamond cuts, with their smooth, rounded surface resembling a polished gemstone rather than a faceted diamond. Imagine a tiny crystal ball, or even a marble, crafted from the finest diamond — that’s the essence of a spherical diamond.
The Birth of the Spherical Diamond
The journey of the spherical diamond began on a gemmology field trip to Idar-Oberstein, Germany, where a group of experts stumbled upon an incredibly unique diamond. Cut by the renowned diamond cutters Ph. Hahn & Sohne, this diamond was not like anything anyone had seen before. It looked like a pearl, but upon closer inspection, its reflective properties revealed something more stunning.
“We just had the idea to try such a round ball,” said Dieter Hahn, CEO of Ph. Hahn & Sohne, the oldest diamond cutting workshop in Germany. This "experiment" led to the creation of the first ever spherical diamond — a perfect round, polished gem with a diameter of 10mm and weighing in at 9.41 carats.
The expertise of the Hahn workshop resulted in a diamond that not only stood out for its beauty but also exhibited unique properties. Thanks to its smooth, spherical shape, the diamond displayed incredible resistance to friction, giving it kinetic properties that were unlike traditional diamonds.
Spherical Lab-Grown Diamonds
While the spherical diamond made from industrial rough was groundbreaking, lab-grown diamonds are now entering the scene with their own spherical creations. Scientists at Ehime University in Matsuyama, Japan, produced the world’s first perfectly spherical lab-created diamond. Weighing 4 carats and measuring 7.5mm in diameter, this spherical diamond, named "Hime," was developed by the university’s Geodynamics Research Center.
How Are Spherical Diamonds Created?
Creating a spherical diamond is no small feat. Unlike traditional diamond cuts, which involve multiple steps of faceting and polishing, spherical diamonds require a piece of rough diamond to be ground down into a perfect sphere. The diamond is then polished to perfection — a task that requires meticulous skill and precision.
The polishing process is intense and requires diamond powder to achieve an even finish across the entire surface. Unlike traditional lapidary work, which focuses on facets and angles, spherical diamond polishing demands an all-around smoothness and balance. This process makes the creation of spherical diamonds a rare and highly specialized art form in the world of diamond cutting.
The Unique Appeal of Spherical Diamonds
Why are spherical diamonds so captivating? Beyond their striking appearance, spherical diamonds stand out for their rarity and the innovation behind their creation. The smooth surface and rounded shape offer a unique visual appeal, often reflecting light in unexpected ways. The brilliance and shine that come from the even, polished surface make these diamonds a true testament to the skill and dedication of diamond artisans.
While still relatively rare, spherical diamonds represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and innovation in the world of diamonds. They are a testament to how far the diamond industry has come in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in diamond cutting and design.