Remember the guy who wanted a 3 ct D-FL/IF CBI for an earring?

[Snowdrop13]

Wait, is it no longer flawless because she is holding it with tweezers???

Yes, please could this be explained? It’s been set now anyway.

 

[yssie]

Wait, is it no longer flawless because she is holding it with tweezers???

I’d assumed that it was just to be extra careful about anything that could potentially mar the external surface... pretty sure it really isn’t possible to stay FL once it’s been set, but maybe an expert could comment?

I’m sure the stone was manhandled with all sorts of tools in setting! Guess I’m just easily amused by little things like (likely anachronistic) pictures

 

[tyty333]

Nice...I mean really nice!

 

[msop04]

Holy shit. I'm dead.

 

[cflutist]

It still amazes me that CBI crafted this D Flawless diamond. Congratulations to
@Paul-Antwerp and @John Pollard.

Just FYI here are the external blemishes that could have occurred:

 

[bmfang]

The stone is utterly gorgeous! Thank goodness he went to see @Wink and then CBI. @Paul-Antwerp, @John Pollard and the rest of the CBI team really came through on this one!

 

[CareBear]

This stone is INSANE! I literally gasped when I saw the three tiny prongs holding 250k. I definitely would have 8 pronged that sucker!

WOW! , wish it was mine

I don't! Oh the stress of owning that stone....

 

[John P]

Update: He lost it over the side of a yacht.

*
*
*

Not really. Just kidding.

Thanks to all who tagged us for the kind words. This was such a joyful project.

Wow, absolutely no external blemishes. @John Pollard what is the ratio of those diamonds who finish off FL-flawless versus IF- Internally Flawless?

That’s a good question.

First, I should mention that grading laboratories do not extend the Flawless grade unless the submitter sues for it in writing. That makes for a very deliberate process, from pre-crafting analysis through (fingers crossed) absolutely unblemished execution, with a unique added step of including a written memo alerting the lab to consider the diamond for that specific grade (fingers crossed again).

The day it arrives for grading we're hoping the lab-graders had a lovely morning, no traffic during their commute, good tunes on the radio, and someone brought a box of bagels.

But even when the lab is bagel-happy, it's a capricious and unpredictable grade. Stubbornly given. There is no guarantee from diamond to diamond, which is why our company will guarantee IF in a Crafted to Order project but not FL. In the dark corners of Antwerp and Mumbai you may even hear hushed whispers of internal quotas or politics at work. It’s all great drama.

In the end, it comes down to what mother nature gave the polishing team, the quality of tools and skill applied, and what the lab decides behind closed doors. It's never wholly predictable, but that makes it an exciting ride.

 

[John P]

Wait, is it no longer flawless because she is holding it with tweezers???

Yes, please could this be explained? It’s been set now anyway.

I can clarify here. The yellow sticky-note saying “No tweezers” was an instruction to the lab graders, drawing attention to the fact that we were suing for Flawless. After it went through grading the sticky note was no longer relevant. That said, per @yssie's comments, that photo sequence is comical.

As for the Q: Can the influence of tweezers convert a diamond from FL to IF? Not likely, unless the gemologist is Thanos and he’s using glowing purple tweezers fueled by the Infinity power-stone.

Tongue in cheek aside - Technically, to some, the diamond lost its Flawless grade the moment the girdle was laser-incribed. YMMV. Technically, to others, the diamond lost its Flawless grade the moment it was set into a mounting. YMMV.

That’s the up-side of this capricious grade. You get to decide.

Did mounting the diamond change the pureness of “Flawless?”
Did the laser-inscription change it?
Did my lovely friend in the photo change it with her power-tweezers?

Enjoy

 

[kemurphy]

First, I should mention that grading laboratories do not extend the Flawless grade unless the submitter sues for it in writing.

Wow, that is fascinating! Thank you for giving us a glipse of the behind the scenes process!

That diamond.... drool. Perfect in every way!

 

[HappyNewLife]

a $250K earring. just wow.

 

[Tekate]

MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE PLEASE! OTHERWISE: it's gorgeous, it's beyond, imagine having such a stone.. cool guy.

 

[wander]

Is it just one earring...? Sorry if this is a dumb question!

 

[elliefire99]

Wow. PS has officially ruined me. I got goose bumps as soon as they opened that box.

Incredible!

 

[OoohShiny]

Is it just one earring...? Sorry if this is a dumb question!

Yes.

 

[kmoro]

Is it just one earring...? Sorry if this is a dumb question!

Someone said it is one earring of what will be a pair ... so they have to find or cut a matching diamond. Wow.