Scaif
Encyclopedia
Scaif is a polishing wheel infused with a mixture of olive oil and diamond dust used in the diamond cutting
industry.
It was invented in 1456 by Lodewyk van Berken
. With the scaif, it became possible to polish all the facets of the diamond symmetrically at angles that reflected the light best. This invention revolutionized the diamond cutting industry and correspondingly, the popularity of diamonds.
Diamond cutting
Diamond cutting is the art, skill and, increasingly, science of changing a diamond from a rough stone into a faceted gem. Cutting diamond requires specialized knowledge, tools, equipment, and techniques because of its extreme difficulty....
industry.
It was invented in 1456 by Lodewyk van Berken
Lodewyk van Berken
Lodewyk van Berken was a mid- to late-15th century Flemish Jewishjeweller and diamond cutter, renowned in the industry for inventing the scaif. The device revolutionized the diamond cutting industry and contributed to increased popularity of diamonds....
. With the scaif, it became possible to polish all the facets of the diamond symmetrically at angles that reflected the light best. This invention revolutionized the diamond cutting industry and correspondingly, the popularity of diamonds.
External links
- The Diamond Invention. Chapter 11 by Edward Jay EpsteinEdward Jay EpsteinEdward Jay Epstein is an American investigative journalist. While a graduate student at Cornell University in 1966, he published the book Inquest, an influential criticism of the Warren Commission probe into the John F. Kennedy assassination...
- Diamond cutting. Thank you, Lodewyk van Berken by Jeffrey Blancq. April 21, 2006