Discover the Art of Rough

Rough diamond jewelry differs from its polished counterpart in that it features a diamond in its natural form, while the polished has been processed.

We do not cut, polish or otherwise alter the diamond after it's been selected, and we depend on each stone's unique characteristics to help guide our designs. For centuries, the rough diamond was considered sacrosanct until cutting and polishing became popular. Now consumers have the opportunity to express themselves with rough diamond jewelry as the maharajas and royalty did throughout history.

Every rough diamond is as unique as a fingerprint.

Like a human's fingerprint, no two diamonds are ever the same. Since it takes 1-3 billion years and a multitude of factors to create and form a diamond, each contains its own unique traits and characteristics.
Diamond in the Rough sources an enormous amount of rough diamonds only to accept 1%-3% of the pieces we evaluate.

We examine thousands of rough diamonds to find a handful that meet our standards without cutting or polishing, and, moreover, to bear our name. Although many diamonds can look beautiful once cut, they lack the intrinsic artistic integrity all Diamond in the Rough stones possess.
Unlike virtually all other jewelry brands, DITR customizes each piece to emphasize the natural beauty of the stone.

Our jeweler and designers draw their inspiration from the diamond itself, and carefully develop the designs that best showcase the rough's natural beauty. We consider the best angle to place the stone and determine the most flattering setting. Although it requires significantly more labor, each one of a kind setting is cast around the facets of the specific diamond, ensuring that you receive a truly exceptional piece.
Rough diamonds come in a huge spectrum of colors.

It's no coincidence that some of the most famous diamonds in the world are color diamonds. Found in only a few places around the globe, these unique stones form only when certain gasses and elements interact with carbon atoms during diamond creation to create a distinct shade. At Diamond in the Rough, we work with all shades to create a distinct and fashion forward look.
Rough diamonds aren't less expensive than cut diamonds, but consumers typically receive more carat weight for the price.

Over 90% of a polished diamond's value is actually in the rough itself; 10% or less is in the labor of the cutter. Because there is no loss of size due to polishing, rough diamonds are unique because not even a small modicum of their amazing appearance is sacrificed. An average of 50% of the diamond is lost during the cutting process.

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Rough Diamonds Through Time

800 BCE

Diamonds are first discovered in India.
327 BC

Alexander the Great brings the first diamonds to Europe from India.
1074

The earliest form of diamond jewelry, a Hungarian queen's crown set with natural rough diamonds, is recorded.
The Fourteenth Century

With the invention of machinery in the late 1300s, diamonds gain a polished twinkle but begin to sacrifice their unique identity. The first instance of diamond cutting most likely occurred in Venice, an early diamond trading capital.
The Fifteenth Century

The first diamond betrothal ring is thought to have been exchanged at the wedding of Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian I to his wife Mary, Duchess of Burgundy and daughter of Charles the Bold.
The Seventeenth Century

Diamonds and other gemstones become the main focus of jewelry, with settings supporting their beauty. This marks a significant shift from the Renaissance era. India's rough diamond production peaks.
The Eighteenth Century

Jewelry becomes more commonly worn by women and diamonds become a gemstone of choice. Diamonds are often only worn for formal gatherings or nighttime events and not flaunted during daytime hours.
The Nineteenth Century

The availability of diamonds dramatically increases after the discovery of extraordinarily rich diamond deposits in South Africa. As diamonds become more obtainable, wealthy individuals join the ranks of royalty in adorning loved ones with this precious gemstone.
The Twentieth Century

N. W. Ayer & Son, the advertising firm retained by De Beers in the mid-20th century, drives American demand for diamonds to new heights and opens up new markets, even in countries where no diamond tradition existed before. Many prominent individuals including Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy, and Elizabeth Taylor wear noteworthy diamond engagement rings and the practice becomes commonplace in American society.
The Twenty-First Century

Cut diamonds become ubiquitous in the world of fashion and bridal jewelry. The GIA develops the 4C's in the 1950's and it is accepted as a defacto measure of a cut diamond's quality by the 1980s. This combined with the Rapaport Diamond Report makes cut diamond pricing virtually standardized.

Despite the use of modern techniques, the cutting and polishing of diamonds continues to result in a loss of as much as 50% of the stone's total weight. The round brilliant cut is the most common choice among consumers.

Diamond in the Rough reintroduces rough stones into jewelry pieces for the first time in over 700 years and emerges as the world's premier rough diamond jewelry brand.