A COMPUTER simulation of the complex way in which diamonds scatter light could change the way they are cut. The simulation shows how unconventional designs will look without having to experiment on real stones and risk ruining them.
Diamond cutters usually stick to a narrow range of shapes known to produce specific optical effects, which are specified by the American Gem Society in Las Vegas. This conservative approach places limits on the way an irregularly shaped rock can be cut into smaller pieces without waste. With a new range of shapes to play with, cutters could make this process more…
