Sask. diamond cutter hopes to shake up jewelry world with 'impossible' new solitaire setting
A Saskatchewan-based diamond cutter has helped invent a new setting for solitaire diamonds that’s hitting markets around the world.
“One day I had an epiphany of how to do it and we applied that and voilà, we have a success story,” said Mike Botha.
It took Botha over 12-hours working by hand to cut the micro-grooves in the "Floeting Diamond" prototype — the new spelling meant to indicate his new take on the floating diamond setting
He then switched to laser cutting. The micro-grooves snap the diamond into place in a titanium setting.
“Like where the lid just snaps onto the container,” said Botha.
A partnership was struck between Botha and New Zealand jeweler Ian Douglas over ten years ago when they met at an industry gathering. Douglas wanted to create a way to hold diamonds in place invisibly.
“This was thought to be an impossible dream,” said Douglas. “Every Jeweler in the world has been asked by customers if it was possible to have a ring without prongs, and until now the answer has always been ‘no.'”
The design has been patented by Botha and Douglas and trademarked as Floeting Diamond.
Botha says the benefits of the design can be appreciated by people in cold weather climates where people wear gloves and mitts, as there are no clasps or claws on the Floeting Diamonds to get caught in clothing.
The team also had the design tested in an independent lab to compare its durability and failure rate to conventional designs and found that its design was stronger.
A diamond in a traditional six-claw setting came loose after 298 drops on a wooden floor from a one meter height, while the floating diamond remained secure for over 3,000 drops.
Botha says another benefit of the Floeting Diamond design is that without claws in the way, it allows the maximum amount of light to pass through the stone to show off all the mirrors and windows in the cut of the stone.
Botha is also known for inventing the Sirius Star Diamond cut. Another patented design he says delivers the highest amount of light return when compared to conventional cutting methods.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6943007.1719487483!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
NEW You might live to be 100 years old. But will you be able to afford it?
Retirement has historically lasted about two decades, but for some Canadians it is now extending to twice that amount of time as more live well into their 90s and beyond. That's making some rethink their investments, savings, expenses and when to retire.
NEW Unknown First World War soldier who died in battle in France to be honoured in Newfoundland and Labrador
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year – as they do every year - with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
Neighbour on the hook for $3,675 in damages due to 'nuisance cedar': B.C. tribunal
A B.C. man who reneged on a deal to split the cost of removing a tree with his next-door neighbour is now on the hook for the whole amount, B.C.’s civil resolution has ruled.
Deal reached in WestJet mechanics' strike, but travel disruptions still expected
WestJet has reached a deal with its mechanics to end a strike that had disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of travellers over the Canada Day long weekend.
Trump ally Steve Bannon will report to federal prison to serve 4-month sentence on contempt charges
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon is scheduled to report to a federal prison in Connecticut on Monday to serve a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack.
NEW How to exercise when it's too hot outside
How hot is too hot for exercising outdoors? Is it safe to exercise outside at some times of the day? Should younger or older people take more precautions in the heat?
Israel releases director of hospital it says was used as a Hamas base. He alleges abuse in custody
Israel released the director of Gaza's main hospital on Monday after holding him for seven months without charge or trial over allegations the facility had been used as a Hamas command center. He said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.
B.C.'s Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury Festival
A crowd of around 100,000 people were treated to a surprise appearance from a B.C. star during Coldplay’s set at Glastonbury Festival in England this weekend.
A study identified 6 types of depression. Here's why that matters
Scientists may be a step closer to that reality, thanks to new research that has identified six subtypes — or 'biotypes' — of major depression via brain imaging combined with machine learning.