Avoiding girdle problems when selecting a diamond

[oldminer]

One element which consumers can do better with is communicating with their chosen vendor about girdle thickness. Labs give the minimum and maximum thickness readings for each diamond, but really just minimum and maximum can be somewhat less than the best knowledge. Most diamonds are measured at 8 places around the girdle and the reported girdle thickness is the minimum and maximum at those points of reference. What we often don''t know is if 7 are one thickness and 1 greater or lesser, or if 4 are the same and 4 are the other, or what combination of measures are in between. A reported "average" may be a measure which may, or may not, be found anywhere on the diamond''s girdle.

I suggest that consumers ask for more detail when it comes to girdle thickness. As what the 8 individual measures are. If you have a nice diamond with one tiny spot of thinness and the rest medium, there may be very little to be concerned about. The same is true for a diamond with one small zone of thick girdle and the rest slightly thin. Again, nothing to be concerned about. Of course, there are times where the majority of thickness may be problematic, and you ought to know just that.

You should understand that if a girdle is overly thick or overly thin in an overall set of these measures that the diamond will either look smaller for its weight, or potentially be somewhat more likely to become damaged by chipping.

 

[strmrdr]

I is really a shame that helium scanners are not marketed and sold in the US.
If they came into widespread use the girdle profile section of the helium report will show what the girdle actually is at many points on the diamond.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 4/29/2009 3:02:47 PM
Author: strmrdr
I is really a shame that helium scanners are not marketed and sold in the US.

Yea but it''s because we''d all be sitting around sucking off the helium tank and we''d all sound like chipmunks...

Kidding, I''m obviously kidding

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 4/29/2009 3:22:51 PM
Author: Todd Gray

Date: 4/29/2009 3:02:47 PM

Author: strmrdr

I is really a shame that helium scanners are not marketed and sold in the US.

Yea but it''s because we''d all be sitting around sucking off the helium tank and we''d all sound like chipmunks...


Kidding, I''m obviously kidding

ROFL
I can picture that sounds like a good time LOL

That should say,,,
It is really a shame lol

 

[Todd Gray]

Of course a consumer can obtain some insight into the girdle measurements of a diamond if provided with a 3D Sarin file by clicking on the girdle edge of the diamond and zooming in, like this:

 

[oldminer]

Yes, these are the kinds of insights that people can readily understand and make sense of.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 4/29/2009 3:54:36 PM
Author: oldminer
Yes, these are the kinds of insights that people can readily understand and make sense of.

Thankfully there are many reputable vendors here on PS who do provide this type of detailed information for the diamonds that they sell. Consumers who do not find this type of information available when shopping for a diamond should ask for it, doing so tells the vendor that you are an informed consumer who wouldn''t purchase a car (or a diamond) without popping the hood and checking things out