Diamonds, natural or manmade, are the products of carbon subjected to extreme pressure and heat. Natural diamonds vary greatly in quality, color, shape and size. Quality can range from the finest crystals without flaws, cracks or internal strains to the poorest grade useable only as diamond powder. Shapes are classified as dodecahedron, octahedron, elongated, points, flats, triangular (macle), round (ballas) cubes and irregular. The shapes illustrated are those most commonly used for tool purposes. Braemar offers a large selection of quality, size, and grades for most applications. On custom tools where the quality and shape of the diamond is essential, our experts will select the most suited diamonds for your applications.

Octahedron An 8 side full-bodies diamond with 6 settable points, when perfect.	Dodecahedron A 12 sided diamond irregularly shaped.	Crystal A flat-sided sharply defined octahedron with 6 usable points, when perfect.
Macle A flat, triangular shaped twinned diamond with up to 3 usable points.	Ballas A generally round shaped diamond, without well defined cleavage planes.	Elongated An irregularly shaped diamond at least 2 times as long as it is wide.

GRADE	DESCRIPTION
SELECT	Sound stones, predominately octahedral with 4 or more points without major cracks and flaws.
AA	Sound semi-blocky and octahedral stones with smooth, frosted or slightly irregular surface with 3 - 4 points without major cracks and flaws.
A	Sound octahedral stones with smooth, frosted or slightly irregular surface with 2-3 points may have cracks and flaws.
O	Sound stones, predominately octahedral with 6 or more points without cracks and flaws. High quality clear hard stone.
TA	Semi-blocky, octahedral and dodecahedron stones, with 1 good points. Disposable Tool-nonresettable stone
B	Semi-blocky, octahedral and dodecahedron stones, with at least 2-3 good points.
C	Semi-blocky, octahedral and dodecahedron stones, with at least 1-2 good points.