The word "Bort" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation is not as straightforward. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /bɔrt/. The "b" is pronounced with the lips pressed together, and the "or" sound is represented by the O, pronounced with the mouth open and lips slightly rounded. The "t" is pronounced with the tongue pressing against the top of the mouth. Despite its small size, "Bort" can be a useful word for players of the board game Scrabble, as it is worth four points.
Bort refers to a type of low-quality or undesirable diamond material that is often considered inferior due to its distinctive characteristics. This term is primarily used in the diamond industry and is derived from the German word "Borts," meaning crushed or broken diamond.
Bort is usually formed as a byproduct during the mining and processing of natural diamonds. It typically consists of fragments, chips, and imperfect crystals that lack the clear, compact structure and optical brilliance found in gem-quality diamonds. Instead, bort is characterized by its opaque or translucent appearance, irregular shape, and high degree of internal flaws and inclusions.
While bort lacks the commercial value of gem-quality diamonds, it still finds various industrial applications. Its high hardness makes it suitable for use in cutting, grinding, and polishing tools, particularly in applications that require extreme precision and durability. Bort is commonly employed in industrial drilling and cutting operations, as well as in the production of abrasive materials and diamond-coated tools.
In summary, bort refers to low-quality diamond material consisting of fragments, chips, and imperfect crystals. Although it is considered inferior for jewelry purposes, it remains valuable in the industrial sector due to its hardness and strength.
A kind of impure diamond imported from Brazil, used for polishing other stones.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "bort" comes from the Old High German word "bort" or "berht", which means "bright" or "shining". This term eventually evolved into "bort" in Middle High German and later "bort" in Middle Low German. In the mining industry, "bort" refers to small, broken, or crushed diamonds, often used for industrial purposes.