Laser Sawing of Diamond Crystals, Revisited

This technical historical review traces the development of laser sawing in diamond manufacturing from the lamp-pumped Nd:YAG systems described in 1981 to contemporary water-jet-guided, ultrafast and automated multi-axis equipment. It examines how laser processing has expanded beyond rough-diamond division into planning, marking, shaping and faceting, and compares applications in natural- and laboratory-grown diamond production. Particular attention is given to chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) manufacturing, including crystal slicing, removal of polycrystalline material and recovery of seed substrates for reuse. The review brings together published research, equipment specifications, trade reporting and market analyses available through mid-2026. It discusses research on ultrashort-pulse machining that reports reduced graphitization, microcracking and subsurface damage under specific experimental conditions, while distinguishing those findings from manufacturer claims and market forecasts. The article concludes that advances in materials science and machine design are extending the uses of laser processing across diamond manufacturing, although reported performance and economic benefits require interpretation in the context of their sources and operating conditions.

Read the complete paper referenced in the Fall/Winter 2026 issue of Texas Jewelers Magazine.

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