To discover the story of diamond cutting is to know the story about the Tolkowsky family, the first family when it comes to diamond cutting as we know it today. Let’s begin with Abraham Tolkowsky (1850-1925) who was a Belgian diamond cutter and dealer who played an important role in the diamond industry in the late 19th and early 20th century. He was one of the eldest known members of the famous Tolkowsky family of diamond cutters and dealers, which was renowned for their expertise in the field.
Abraham Tolkowsky was born in Antwerp, Belgium, the center of the world diamond trade. He was apprenticed to a diamond cutter at a young age and quickly developed a reputation as an expert in the field. He became known for his skill in cutting and polishing diamonds, and he was known for his ability to extract maximum brilliance and fire from the diamonds he cut.
He was considered a master of the art of diamond cutting, and his work was highly sought after by top jewelers and collectors around the world. He was also known for his expertise in diamond grading and evaluation as well.
A pioneer in the field, Abraham Tolkowsky’s work laid the groundwork for the modern diamond cutting industry. He passed his knowledge to his descendants, including his grandson Marcel Tolkowsky, who wrote the seminal book "Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in a Diamond" in 1919 that outlined the mathematical principles for cutting a round brilliant diamond, which is considered the standard for diamond cutting today.
Marcel Tolkowsky's method, which is known as the Tolkowsky Cut, involves cutting a diamond with 58 facets, with precise angles and proportions between the crown, girdle, and pavilion. This is done to maximize the diamond's brilliance, fire, and scintillation, which are the three key factors that determine a diamond's beauty and value.
Marcel’s method was revolutionary at the time, as it allowed for the first time to achieve optimal light performance in a diamond. His precise mathematical calculations provided the basis for the modern diamond cutting industry, and his techniques are still used today by many diamond cutters. Pictured above you can see a few photos of the diamond-cutting process inside a modern day diamond factory.
It should be noted that the art of diamond cutting has been practiced for centuries before Marcel Tolkowsky's work, and there were different ways of cutting diamonds depending on the culture and the era. But Marcel Tolkowsky's work was a turning point in the industry, as it brought a scientific approach to diamond cutting and allowed for the first time to achieve optimal light performance in a diamond.
