Compared with blade sawing, what is a true characteristic of laser sawing?

• A. It is less precise and reduces weight.
• B. It is slower and less efficient.
• C. It is more precise and efficient than blade sawing and retains more weight.
• D. It cannot split rough diamonds in any direction.

Answer: (C)

Laser sawing is distinguished by its ability to shape the cut with a focused, tiny spot of energy, which yields a very narrow kerf and cleaner, more controlled cuts. That precision means less material is wasted and fewer defects from chipping or cracking happen, so more of the rough diamond’s weight can be retained. In practical terms, this translates to higher yield and often faster progress through the shaping stage compared to blade sawing, which uses a wider cut and more mechanical contact that can introduce more waste and damage. The idea that laser cutting cannot split rough diamonds in any direction isn’t accurate—lasers can be oriented and directed to follow the desired planes or splits, giving flexible control over the cut. So the true characteristic is that laser sawing is more precise and efficient than blade sawing and retains more weight.