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"When it comes to diamonds, it isn't size that matters. It's sizzle,"
says Richard von Sternberg, 8Star's president. "Most diamonds would have
to lose at least 15% of their weight to become as beautiful as ours.
Since we believe consumers should pay only for beauty, we cut only for
beauty."
Using an exclusive light-tracking
instrument called a Firescope™, 8Star cutters align facets so precisely
their diamonds achieve the highest brilliance possible -- making even
the tiniest engagement stone blaze with light.
To most of 8Star's competitors who cut
for bulk not beauty, sacrificing 10% of a giant jewel's weight is a
catastrophic loss. But von Sternberg sees the loss as a gain.
The American Star took six weeks to
recut after ten months of planning. On average, however, 8Stars require
32 hours to complete -- still a long time compared to 8 hours for other
fine diamonds. But cutting for beauty takes time.
"One reason for the slow grind is that
8Star cutters consult with the Firescope at every stage of work," von
Sternberg says. "That usually means 200 Firescope checks. In the case of
the American Star, I lost count at 500."
Without a Firescope, diamond cutting is
guesswork, according to von Sternberg. "With it, our cutters can look
inside a diamond and fix problems fatal to diamond beauty other cutters
never see."
The Firescope isn't only a guidance
tool for cutters. It's a quality assurance tool for consumers. When a
diamond's facets are aligned, they make a distinctive 8-rayed pattern
called an "8star." This pattern serves as visual proof that a diamond
has reached what von Sternberg calls "8Star's norm of perfection."
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8STAR DIAMOND 'AMERICAN STAR'
The 13.41-carat "American Star,"
was cut to demonstrate the superior brilliance and precision of the
8Star diamond. The 8-rayed pattern clearly visible in this photo is a
unique visual signature of the 8Star diamond that proves all facets are
aligned.
(Photo by PRNewsFoto) |