Diamond Toughness

Diamond toughness is related with how well the gem can survive and impact – resist breaking, chipping, or cracking. The formation of diamond affects the physical and optical quality. Diamond form under extreme temperature and pressure, they bond to each other more tightly in some directions than they do in others.

Diamonds are tougher in the direction where atoms are tightly together, less tough - where there are not so tightly bonded. The weakest diamond is one where the atoms are far apart. It is easier to break in that direction, which is called cleavage direction. But even after cutting process, a hard blow can cleave or fracture a diamond. This can happen during setting process or even after it’s worn.

The bonding of  weak atoms in Diamond (Left) teends to cleave after recutting diamond can regain it overall beauty and value (Right).