A 10-carat octahedral rough sits in a white tray. A skilled planner could assess it in a few minutes, weight the alternatives, decide on a single stone vs two stones, mark the cleavage planes, choose the major facets. His decision, once made, is permanent. Sarine's Galaxy system takes approximately 90 minutes for the same stone: high-resolution 3D scanning, automated inclusion detection and classification, integration with the planning software that tests hundreds of cutting scenarios simultaneously, presenting the planner with yield-maximised options ranked by total value. The planner still makes the final call. But now he is choosing between computer-optimised options, not working from scratch. : Sarine Technologies product documentation, sarine.com; GIA Gems & Gemology research on diamond planning technology

The planning decision: its economic importance

For a rough diamond worth ₹5 lakh, the difference between an optimal cutting plan and a sub-optimal one can be ₹30,000 to ₹80,000 in finished goods value. The planning decision determines: whether to cut one large stone or two smaller ones from the rough; where to place the main table facet relative to the rough's shape; how to orient the stone to maximise colour grade in the finished stone (colour is assessed face-down, so a slightly off-colour rough can be oriented to show its best face); and how to avoid positioning major inclusions in high-visibility table areas (GIA Diamond Grading documentation; Sarine Technologies planning documentation, sarine.com).

The Sarine Galaxy: 3D scanning and inclusion mapping

The Sarine Galaxy family of instruments, developed by Israeli technology company Sarine Technologies, is the industry standard for rough diamond scanning and planning. The Galaxy uses micro-CT (computed tomography) scanning technology to create a full 3D model of the rough stone, including the position, size, and type of every internal inclusion. This 3D model is imported into Sarine's planning software, which can test thousands of cutting scenarios and present the one (or several) that maximises either total carat weight yield, total value, or a combined metric (Sarine Technologies product documentation, sarine.com; Sarine Technologies annual reports).

Before Sarine's technology (commercially adopted widely through the 2000s and 2010s), planning was done entirely by eye and experience. A skilled planner would examine a rough stone under magnification, make pencil marks on its surface, and dictate the cutting plan. The introduction of 3D scanning has increased average yield by several percentage points across the industry, a significant economic impact at scale (GJEPC commentary; industry analyses of Sarine technology adoption in Surat, 2010–2025).

Sawing and cleaving decisions

For rough diamonds that will yield two or more finished stones, the planning system determines where the stone should be divided, whether by sawing (using a laser or phosphor bronze blade with diamond powder) or by cleaving (splitting along the crystal's cleavage planes). The planning software identifies the optimal division line that maximises total finished value from the two or more resulting pieces (GIA Diamond Grading documentation; historical and modern sawing and cleaving methodology descriptions).

Primary sources

GIA Diamond Grading documentation. gia.edu/diamond-grading. Gemological Institute of America. [Cut grade system; proportion parameters; polishing and symmetry assessment; planning methodology context.]

GJEPC (Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council). gjepc.org, Mumbai. [India cutting industry data; Surat manufacturing statistics; export figures.]

Reinitz, I. et al. (2006). "Development of the GIA Diamond Cut Grading System." Gems & Gemology, 42(3), GIA. [Cut grade system basis; proportion parameters and their effect on light performance.]

Sarine Technologies product documentation. sarine.com. [Galaxy family scanning instruments; planning software; mapping of inclusions and proportions for yield optimisation.]