You'd be amazed at how many times I get asked "
Do Diamonds Cut Glass?" and "
If a Diamond Cuts Glass, does that mean it's real?"
Of course there's truth to these questions, or otherwise those sayings wouldn't be so popular. But in reality, it's not all that "Cut" and dry...
Yes, Diamonds (10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness) can cut Glass. (6 - 7 on the Mohs Scale) In fact, anything harder and more durable than Glass can cut Glass! It's just the law of Nature and Physics. The Stronger Substance always wins!
Always wins? Well, maybe I spoke too soon. It all depends on HOW you cut the Glass.
Testing this Theory
If you're thinking about testing out this theory, does a Diamond cut glass or not, and you're thinking about taking the Diamond and placing the edge to a piece of Glass and pulling hard... Then you've got another thing coming.
If you place your Diamond's edge (The Girdle) to a flat plane of Glass and pull... Look out! You may scratch that Glass, you may even Cut Glass, BUT... You also may NOT! Chances are good that what you'll do instead, is break your Diamond!
What? Why's that?
Diamonds can Chip or Break easily!
If too much pressure is applied or forced to the thin Girdle's edge "CRACK!" The Girdle is the weakest part of the Diamond, and it really doesn't take much to break it. One good hit, blow, trauma, bump, or pressure could cause it to snap, or chip that fragile, delicate edge.
Jewelers chip Diamonds all the time by asserting too much pressure against the Diamond's Girdle. Just folding Metal Prongs over the Diamond can be enough to take a chunk out of your lovely Diamond.
So while a Diamond may be the hardest natural substance known to man, and while a Diamond is about ten times more durable and harder than Glass, trying this simple Girdle to Glass test could really do some damage to your expensive Diamond. (Who cares about the Glass!)
The Best way to test it
A Diamond tester is a much easier method of determining if a Diamond is Genuine or not.
And even if your Diamond DID happen to Cut Glass, that doesn't mean it's a Genuine Diamond. Lots of things can Cut Glass, so what? Anything higher up the Moh's Scale of Hardness will Cut Glass. The Diamond Tester is the best possible way of knowing the real truth!
Usually what people mean when they say "Diamonds Cut Glass" is that using the right tools, yes, Diamond has no problem in cutting Glass. Most Drill Bits and even Dentist's Drills are made with Diamond Dust. (Think about that the next time you're getting a cavity filled!) The pieces of Diamond used for these tools are fine ground up little pieces of Diamond that are not worth much. (Industrial Diamonds below the I3 Clarity Range!) Nothing like a big, beautiful, expensive Diamond Engagement Ring!
P.S. Diamond is the only thing that can Cut another Diamond!
So leave the testing to the Pros. Just know that yes, Diamonds can Cut Glass. But then again, Diamonds Cut Steel, Gold, Titanium, Tungsten, Iron, Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby. So is Glass any big deal? Nope, I'd think Not!
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