Girdle Size

discostu · Nov 29, 2005

How important is girdle size to a diamond? I was told to stay away from very thin to thin and very thick to thick because it can make the diamond have a wavy effect. Is this right or does each stone stand on its own?

JohnQuixote · Nov 29, 2005

Date: 11/29/2005 5:44:44 PM
Author:discostu
How important is girdle size to a diamond? I was told to stay away from very thin to thin and very thick to thick because it can make the diamond have a wavy effect. Is this right or does each stone stand on its own?

Extremely Thin girdles are avoided because of durability issues.

Very Thin as an average is frowned upon sometimes, particularly in princess cuts - but a portion of a girdle ranging to V Thin may not be problematic, as long as it is not the average.

Thin, Medium and Slightly Thick are preferable averages.

Thick, Very Thick and Extremely Thick girdles 'hide' weight, can cause a diamond to appear smaller than it should for its carat weight - and may adversely influence performance.

A range spanning one or two descriptions (Thin-Med or Thin-Sl Thick) is common. If there is a question most adverse girdle-related light performance issues can be seen in an ideal-scope or ASET image.

Here is the AGS Girdle Thickness Chart

Edited to add: AGS and GIA girdle reporting is treated differently. The AGS notes thickest and thinnest places at any point on the girdle. GIA reports the thickest and thinnest parts measured at valleys only. Therefore girdle notations on AGS reports will seem to have more variation.