I think I scratched my diamond!

[angeline]

My 3yr old was holding a stone, the holey rough red ones people use in garden beds? and it did connect with the face of my diamond *sob*

I can see two parallel marks now on the table with a loupe. Are these most likely scratches? They''re light colored and I''ve rubbed and rubbed them and they''re still there!

I feel a bit sick! It''s a very new diamond. What would be my options if I have scratched it? Repolish? could it be inclusions? Here''s the inclusion map: the marks are kind of where the largest group of inclusions are to the edge of the table.

 

[neatfreak]

Diamonds are very very very hard to scratch. I HIGHLY doubt a random stone your son was playing with would be hard enough to scratch a diamond. Have you tried washing it? It's likely residue.

 

[angeline]

Hi neatfreak! Thanks! I just feel a bit ill about it. I''ve USed it, toothbrushed it, Mr.Clean, and rub rub rubbed it. Maybe it''s a reflection from underneath it? *she says hopefully* cos of the 6 prongs I don''t think I can ever really dry it off properly underneath.

Although it''s in the same place every time so that''s probably not it

 

[stone_seeker]

Diamonds are pretty tough and it would tak a fairly direct hit with the stone - plus arent those stones somewhat smoother with rounded edges? Scratching a diamond usually requires something fairly pointy and sharp.

That being said, have you louped this diamond before and just now for the first time are seeing this inclusions? Some clouds can be seen but they would likely be in the diamond whereas a scratch would be fairly identifiable on the surface.

I would recommend taking the diamond and certificate to a local jeweler who can see if what you are seeing are surface blemishes and if they arent deep they probabaly can be polished but I not sure how much that costs or how feasible that is. I know chipped diamonds can get re-cut to look new so I would imagine polishing the table is certainly doable depending on how deep the scratch is which I imagine cant be that deep since a 3-year old threw it.

Please keep us informed of what your jeweler says!

 

[angeline]

Thanks stone seeker! Good idea, I think I will trot along to my local jeweler. The rock is one of the lava rocks? I''m not sure if that''s the right name but they''re red and holy and pretty rough all over.

I just hate the thought that the clarity might now be like I3!!! haha..

 

[sparxs111]

Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on Mohs geologic hardness scale. That means they''re one of the hardest substances in the world, and only another diamond can scratch a diamond. I would be very suprised if a basalt (the rock you are describing) which has a harness of 2 to 2.5 ish on the other end of the spectrum could scratch it. Only things of the same hardness or greater on the scale can give scratches. Hope that helps!!!!

 

[angeline]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:43:38 PM
Author: sparxs111
Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on Mohs geologic hardness scale. That means they''re one of the hardest substances in the world, and only another diamond can scratch a diamond. I would be very suprised if a basalt (the rock you are describing) which has a harness of 2 to 2.5 ish on the other end of the spectrum could scratch it. Only things of the same hardness or greater on the scale can give scratches. Hope that helps!!!!

OH thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That is so helpful. I was hoping someone had a scientific explanation for me.

I guess I could have researched it but I was panicking and first response is... ask the good people of PS!

That is interesting I had no idea how hard diamonds are really. Wow. Good choice for engagement rings then.

whew! I can relax now..

 

[stone_seeker]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:43:38 PM
Author: sparxs111
Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on Mohs geologic hardness scale. That means they're one of the hardest substances in the world, and only another diamond can scratch a diamond. I would be very suprised if a basalt (the rock you are describing) which has a harness of 2 to 2.5 ish on the other end of the spectrum could scratch it. Only things of the same hardness or greater on the scale can give scratches. Hope that helps!!!!

Thats what I thought which is why I didnt think a rock thrown by a 3-year old would make a mark. I have dropped rings on rough surfaces and never had an issue.

However, I wonder why I have heard stories of some stones getting scratched by jewelers in the setting process??? That always confused me

 

[dbsdiamonds]

Run to local store and have them ultra sonic and then steam clean. If you still think you see something have them put it under a microscope so you can identify better. As from the other comments, very doubtful it is scratched.

Get back to us with results!

Marty
CEO/Pres
DBS Diamonds

 

[angeline]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments. I love PS!

 

[sparxs111]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:49:56 PM
Author: stone_seeker

Date: 8/13/2008 2:43:38 PM
Author: sparxs111
Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on Mohs geologic hardness scale. That means they''re one of the hardest substances in the world, and only another diamond can scratch a diamond. I would be very suprised if a basalt (the rock you are describing) which has a harness of 2 to 2.5 ish on the other end of the spectrum could scratch it. Only things of the same hardness or greater on the scale can give scratches. Hope that helps!!!!

Thats what I thought which is why I didnt think a rock thrown by a 3-year old would make a mark. I have dropped rings on rough surfaces and never had an issue.

However, I wonder why I have heard stories of some stones getting scratched by jewelers in the setting process??? That always confused me

I have to agree I''ve heard the same thing about the odd jeweler doing something to the diamond. I wonder if those are more of the crack (from already internal structure) and chipping a stone stories. Maybe a more knowledgable member can chime in... I''m better at the science ''stuff''...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:49:56 PM
Author: stone_seeker

Date: 8/13/2008 2:43:38 PM
Author: sparxs111
Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on Mohs geologic hardness scale. That means they''re one of the hardest substances in the world, and only another diamond can scratch a diamond. I would be very suprised if a basalt (the rock you are describing) which has a harness of 2 to 2.5 ish on the other end of the spectrum could scratch it. Only things of the same hardness or greater on the scale can give scratches. Hope that helps!!!!

Thats what I thought which is why I didnt think a rock thrown by a 3-year old would make a mark. I have dropped rings on rough surfaces and never had an issue.

However, I wonder why I have heard stories of some stones getting scratched by jewelers in the setting process??? That always confused me

I also very much doubt it is scratched! Also although diamonds are incredibly hard to scratch, they can and do chip and break, it is more likely that a diamond can chip rather than scratch when being set.

 

[Tuckins1]

FYI- I think the type of stone you are talking about here is scoria, not basalt. Scoria is more porous, has bigger vesicles (holes), and has rough edges. It is more commonly used in landscaping, and is referred to as red lava rock. Basalt is less porous and sharp. Is this the type of stone you have in your garden? If so, it definitely should not be able to scratch your diamond, as it is very low on the Moh''s scale.

 

[John P]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:55:38 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds

Run to local store and have them ultra sonic and then steam clean. If you still think you see something have them put it under a microscope so you can identify better. As from the other comments, very doubtful it is scratched.

Get back to us with results!

Ditto.

If it was scoria it''s possible there is some stubborn residue on the diamond. Either way, a microscope will tell you if something''s amiss...and if it is I doubt your 3 year old did it.

It typially requires diamond to scratch diamond, which is why you should always store diamond jewelry apart in individual sections of a jewelry box, or wrapped so the pieces don''t connect with each other.

 

[angeline]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:36:20 PM
Author: Tuckins1
FYI- I think the type of stone you are talking about here is scoria, not basalt. Scoria is more porous, has bigger vesicles (holes), and has rough edges. It is more commonly used in landscaping, and is referred to as red lava rock. Basalt is less porous and sharp. Is this the type of stone you have in your garden? If so, it definitely should not be able to scratch your diamond, as it is very low on the Moh''s scale.

This is the stone alright! You guys are incredibly helpful! I knew the word lava figured in it somewhere. I still find it amazing that diamonds are so hard

 

[angeline]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:42:24 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 8/13/2008 2:55:38 PM

Author: dbsdiamonds


Run to local store and have them ultra sonic and then steam clean. If you still think you see something have them put it under a microscope so you can identify better. As from the other comments, very doubtful it is scratched.


Get back to us with results!

Ditto.


If it was scoria it''s possible there is some stubborn residue on the diamond. Either way, a microscope will tell you if something''s amiss...and if it is I doubt your 3 year old did it.

It typially requires diamond to scratch diamond, which is why you should always store diamond jewelry apart in individual sections of a jewelry box, or wrapped so the pieces don''t connect with each other.

I didn''t think there could be a residue... sounds like that might be the culprit. It sure doesn''t look like inclusions, it''s more on the surface.

Hey John, you don''t know my 3 yr old! I actually pity her poor future husband, I''ve got her started early in the world of diamonds!