SND Diamond Grade Guide:
If you’ve ever stood in front of a shelf of diamond saw grits and thought, “Do I need SND830 or SND860 for my concrete blade?”—you’re not alone.
Diamond grit isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” product. A grade that works for DIY glass tile cutting will fail miserably at deep mining, and a premium grade for hard rock drilling is a waste of money for small workshop grinding.
That’s why we created the SND series: 6 core grades (SND815 to SND890) engineered for specific tasks, budgets, and industries. This guide will break down each grade’s “superpower,” real-world uses, and how to match it to your project—no technical jargon required.
First: What Makes an SND Grade Unique?
Every SND diamond grade is designed around three key factors—toughness, thermal stability, and cost—to solve a specific problem. Here’s what you need to know upfront:
- Toughness: How well the diamond resists chipping (critical for uneven materials like rock).
- Thermal stability: How well it handles heat (important for prolonged tasks like asphalt cutting).
- Cost: Balancing performance with budget (no need to pay premium prices for simple jobs).
All SND grades use synthetic diamond powder (purity ≥99.3% carbon) for consistency—but their crystal shapes, hardness, and durability vary to fit different workflows.
Meet the SND Grades: What Each One Does Best
Let’s start with the basics: Each grade has a “job to do.” Below, we’ll match each SND grade to real projects, so you can see exactly when to use it.
1. SND815: The “Cost-Cutter” for Medium-Quality Tools
Superpower: Blends with higher grades to save money—without losing performance.
If you’re a tool manufacturer making 1,000+ medium-quality blades (for limestone or ceramic tile), SND815 is your secret weapon. It’s a semi-regular granular grit that mixes seamlessly with grades like SND840 or SND860 (1:1 to 1:3 ratio) to:
- Cut material costs by 10–18% (vs. using SND840 alone).
- Boost tool efficiency by 12–15% (fills small gaps in blade bonding for smoother cuts).
Real use case: A tile manufacturer in Ohio uses 33% SND815 + 67% SND860 for their ceramic cutting blades. They reduced costs by 15% while keeping blade life at 90% of pure SND860—perfect for mid-market home improvement stores.
Who it’s for: Mid-market tool brands, bulk stone processors, ceramic/glass production lines.
2. SND820: The “Quick Fix” for DIY & One-Off Tasks
Superpower: Fast, cheap, and good enough for light jobs.
If you’re a DIYer installing a glass tile backsplash or a handyman repairing a soft brick patio, SND820 is ideal. Its semi-cubic crystal shape cuts 25% faster than SND830 (15–20 cm³/min for soft stone) and costs 10–15% less than SND830.
Catch: It’s not built for heavy use. A SND820-equipped mini-blade will last 3–4 hours (enough for one project) but will wear out quickly if used for daily concrete grinding.
Real use case: A hobbyist in Texas used SND820 to cut 10m² of glass mosaic tile for their kitchen backsplash. The project took 2 hours (vs. 3 hours with a cheaper generic grit), and the blade cost $5 less than a SND830 option.
Who it’s for: Hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, one-off repair services.
3. SND830: The “Everyday Workhorse” for Small Shops
Superpower: Balances affordability and durability for routine tasks.
If you run a small workshop grinding concrete floors or trimming light limestone, SND830 is your go-to. It’s a semi-blocky grit with enough toughness (6,000–6,500 HV) to handle 50+ daily cuts for a week—20% longer than generic budget grits—at the lowest upfront cost of all “routine use” grades.
Real use case: A auto repair shop in Florida uses SND830 grinding wheels to smooth concrete floors for car lifts. They replace wheels every 7 days (vs. 5 days with generic grits) and save $20/week on tool costs.
Who it’s for: Small DIY businesses, budget-conscious workshops, low-volume disposable tool brands.
4. SND840: The “Value Player” for Medium-Quality Tools
Superpower: Durable enough for construction—without the premium price.
If you’re a contractor cutting standard concrete or a geology lab sampling soft rock, SND840 hits the sweet spot. Its complete cube-octahedron shape resists wear (abrasion loss ≤0.8% over 50 hours) and lasts 18–22% longer than SND830—all at 15–20% less cost than SND860.
Real use case: A construction company in Arizona uses SND840 blades for residential foundation concrete cutting. Each blade makes 150+ cuts (vs. 120 with SND830) and costs \(3 less than SND860 blades—saving \)300/month on a 100-blade order.
Who it’s for: Mid-sized tool manufacturers, general construction firms, standard geology labs.
5. SND860: The “Tough Guy” for Mining & Harsh Jobs
Superpower: Handles shocks and heat for tough, uneven materials.
If you’re drilling sandstone for geological samples or mining medium-hard iron ore, SND860 is built to survive. Its blocky cube-octahedron shape resists chipping by 30% (vs. SND840) and handles temperatures up to 1,000°C—perfect for jobs where tools take a beating.
Real use case: A mining contractor in Colorado uses SND860 core bits for iron ore sampling. They get 500m+ of core per bit (vs. 400m with SND840) and reduce bit replacements by 25%—critical for remote mine sites where tool delivery takes days.
Who it’s for: Mining contractors, large construction companies, multi-purpose tool brands.
6. SND890: The “Premium Performer” for Extreme Conditions
Superpower: Lasts longer in hard rock and deep mining.
If you’re drilling granite 1,000m underground or boring tunnels through basalt, SND890 is the only grade that can keep up. Its ultra-stable cube-octahedron crystals (99.9% carbon purity) resist crushing (compressive strength >20 GPa) and last 30–40% longer than SND860—even at 1,200°C.
Real use case: A tunnel boring company in Canada uses SND890 diamond wires for basalt excavation. Each wire lasts 1,000m (vs. 700m with SND860) and reduces downtime by 30%—saving $10,000+/week in labor costs.
Who it’s for: Deep mining operations, hard rock exploration firms, premium tool manufacturers.
How to Choose Your SND Grade in 3 Simple Steps
Still unsure? Follow this framework to narrow it down:
Step 1: Define your task’s “toughness need”
- Light (1–2 projects): SND820
- Routine (daily small jobs): SND830
- Medium (construction/soft rock): SND840
- Tough (mining/uneven rock): SND860
- Extreme (hard rock/deep mining): SND890
- Blending for cost savings: SND815
Step 2: Check your budget
- Ultra-budget: SND815 (blending) or SND820 (one-off)
- Budget: SND830
- Mid-range: SND840
- Mid-premium: SND860
- Premium: SND890
Step 3: Match to your tool type
- DIY sandpapers/mini blades: SND820
- Small workshop grinding wheels: SND830
- Standard construction blades: SND840
- Mining core bits: SND860
- Heavy-duty wires/blades: SND890
Final Tip: Test Before You Buy
Every project is unique—even two “concrete cutting” jobs can vary (e.g., 4,000 psi vs. 6,000 psi concrete). We offer free 1kg samples of all SND grades, so you can test them in your tool before placing a large order.
Whether you’re a DIYer cutting glass tile or a mining company drilling hard rock—there’s an SND grade built for your job.
Ready to find your perfect match? Contact our team to request a sample or get personalized recommendations for your project.
