I’m currently looking into options for a supplier of diamond wires suitable for precision cutting across materials like silicon, ceramics, and stone. Consistency in diamond exposure and wire strength can significantly impact cut accuracy, tool life, and surface finish.
In regards to lapidary, there isn’t a demand for diamond wire. Most lapidarists that I am familiar with use bench top lapidary saws. With most lapidary saws having a 6 inch cutting wheel, commonly found in a price range of 600 dollars for a high end model. Anything larger, and you start getting into the larger slab saws.
Wire machines exist outside of this size and price range, placing them out of range for most.
That’s true for traditional lapidary. From an industry standpoint, diamond wire is used primarily for precision slicing, not bench cutting. In semiconductors, advanced ceramics, and research-grade stone sectioning, wire saws deliver lower kerf loss, better thickness control, and reduced subsurface damage.
In those applications, diamond distribution, wire tensile strength, and material-specific tuning matter more than speed or hobby-level cost considerations.