Final answer:
Gemologists are able to work with diamonds, despite their hardness, by utilizing the diamond's cleavage planes to split them and using diamond-edged tools for cutting and shaping.
Step-by-step explanation:
If diamond is so hard to break, how do gemologists do it? This is a fascinating question that reveals the intersection of material science and artisan skill. Diamonds are indeed very hard, making them resistant to scratches and able to cut through many substances. However, they can also be brittle and may shatter when subjected to large stresses. Gemologists utilize the property that diamonds have planes of atomic weakness known as cleavage planes. By striking a diamond with a sharp blow in the correct direction along one of these planes, the gemologist can split the diamond along its natural lines without damaging it. For cutting and shaping diamonds, gemologists use tools such as laser cutters or another diamond-edged or diamond-tipped cutting instruments. Since only a diamond can effectively scratch another diamond, these tools allow the precise cutting that defines the many facets of a finished gemstone. This delicate process is a combination of art and science, requiring both understanding of the diamond's crystal structure and a craftsman's touch.