raw diamond
Unpolished carbon crystal
A raw diamond is an uncut, unpolished diamond as it comes from the earth—before the cutting and faceting that gives gemstones their brilliance.
Raw diamonds look like cloudy pebbles or glass fragments, nothing like the sparkling stones in jewelry.
Figuratively, a raw diamond (or diamond in the rough) describes someone with potential that hasn't yet been refined or developed: She's a raw diamond—give her some training and she'll be unstoppable.
- uncutNot reduced or shortened
- rough cutUnfinished film version
- roughUneven in surface
- in the roughLacking polish or finish
- natural stateUnmodified original existence
crystal · carbon · kimberlite · mine · sparkle · carat · gem · stone · clarity · facet · precious · earth · excavation · treasure · glint · hard · pressure · under pressure
METAPHORICAL POTENTIAL (untapped vs. realized)
raw diamondfinished product
Completed manufactured good