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USA largest consumer of diamonds

Posted December 12th, 2008 by admin

The U.S.A. is the largest consumer of diamonds, so it is not surprising that the cutting of gem stones has expanded enormously in that country since 1940. As an industry, it dates back to only about seventy years, New York being the center. Before 1939, there were about 300 cutters in the U.S.A., but since then the number has been increased by refugees from Holland and Belgium. Work is of a high order; improved methods are being used, and the “American cut” is now universally recognized as being the best in the world. The American cutters are very highly paid, and it seems certain that New York will remain an important lapidary center. Cutting establishments in the U.S.A. numbered 115 in the year 1941; the next year saw an increase to 125, and work was being done not only in New York but also in Cincinnati, Chicago, and Newark. In 1942, there were about 1,000 cutters and some 300 apprentices working in the U.S.A.
South Africa has made more than one attempt to found a diamond cutting industry, but generally speaking, it has not been the success which was anticipated. Since Johannesburg is in the center of the main producing area, it was thought that the working of the rough stone could be suitably carried out here. Two small polishing factories were opened as early as 1909, and skilled workers from Holland and Belgium were introduced. But apprentices were slow to learn the craft, and living and working conditions were, on the whole, unsuited to those who were used to Europe. There was constant disagreement with the trade unions in Europe, to which the foreign workers were bound, especially on the questions of wages, terms of apprenticeship to learners, and the price of the rough stone sold to the local cutters as compared to that sold by the Diamond Syndicate in London.