Tiny chips along girdles of diamonds

[pyramid]

Is it true that a diamond in normal service will receive tiny chips along its girdle? A jeweller has told me that this is bound to happen with every diamond worn. If this is the case what is the point of buying above clarity grades of VS2?

 

[finchuck]

Because VS2 wouldn't have other blemishes like carbon deposits, cloudiness, feather inclusions, etc. that are visable to the naked eye.

 

[pyramid]

Yes but what I was meaning was that VVS1 and VVS2 type diamonds would get chips and ultimately be downgraded to VS1 (or VS2), if it is true that all diamonds get tiny chips and nicks on their girdle.

Anyone know??

 

[flyingharp]

My understanding is that small nicks, which aren't accompanied by cleavages or fractures which extend into the interior, are classified as external flaws, and as such, affect cut grading, rather than clarity.

 

[pyramid]

Thank you finchuck and flyingharp for your replies. So it would not affect clarity.

Does anyone know though if diamonds do develop these nicks or chips through just normal wear (and not through an accidental knock)?

 

[ThatKoreanGuy]

well wouldn't accidental knocks be considered normal wear? because I know people that wear their diamonds everywhere. and some wear is bound to happen. not so much that it's overly noticable because diamonds are pretty damn hard, but small scratches and stuff will probably be common. just think what someone with a diamond ring goes through if they go to the beach for one day? that's like a super tumbler if they go in the water. lol. so somethings will happen but not so extreme that you really have to worry much.




(yay, I've come a long way from the ignorant bay area korean guy

)

 

[magna2]

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On 10/21/2003 12:56:29 PM pyramid wrote:

Is it true that a diamond in normal service will receive tiny chips along its girdle? A jeweller has told me that this is bound to happen with every diamond worn. If this is the case what is the point of buying above clarity grades of VS2?----------------

Not necessarily true. It all depends how much abuse the ring is subjected to. A thinner girdle is more prone to chipping than medium to thick girdle diamonds. However, if you tend to bang the diamond against hard surfaces, the chances of a getting the diamond nicked up increases.

Ever since we wed, my wife only wear her diamond ring on occassions, and there are no chips. So to say that it is bound to happen is half true - again, it all depends on the abuse the diamond will undergo.

 

[fire&ice]

*MORE* girdle chat?

I think you should just bezel set the diamond and not worry about it anymore.

 

[dimonbob]

Many people wear their diamonds every day and after years of wear never chip or nick their diamond. Others start out with nice clean diamonds and after only a year or two have put nicks and chips on the girdle of their diamond. One fast and easy way of getting damage done to your diamond is to wear two diamond rings on one finger or on two fingers next to each other. Diamonds love to eat other diamonds. Another way is to toss your diamonds into your jewelry box. This not only chips your diamonds but damages other beauties in your jewelry box. One should not do gardening or yard work in your diamonds. Take care of your jewelry!

 

[aljdewey]

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On 10/22/2003 10:29:14 AM fire&ice wrote:





*MORE* girdle chat?

I think you should just bezel set the diamond and not worry about it anymore.

----------------

Look, enough with this girdle business. I think we need to focus on the fact that we STILL don't have enough information about ss1934's setting!

 

[pyramid]

Thank you everyone.
fire&ice: This is for the new diamond I intend to purchase, I am wondering whether to to F VVS1/VVS2 OR drop to F or G VS1/VS2. I want 1 carat minimum so if I go down in clarity I will get over 1 carat.

 

[valeria101]

Ma!!! You will never be able to see the difference between VVS and VS1 unaided. Just take a look at all those HUGE pictures of diamonds with their inclusions at 'GoodoldGold' and see how small those 'VS type' inclusions are.

I guess VVS is good if you are after a symbol of perfection rather than diamond, then even FL is justified. I am just writing all these to make sure you did see VS and VVS pieces and know what you will pay for... Otherwise, how about a bezel setting? Or half bezel... and forget about nicks and cracks?

 

[fire&ice]

Please do not worry your pretty little head about the girdle any more!

As Al stated, we are still worrying about ss1934 & lack of knowledge on his setting.

That said, I definitely vote the vs2 route. The issue is less the girdle & more the fact that clarity is graded under 10x mag. Could an arguement be made that a VVS1 stone could turn into a VS stone - perhaps. But, really less an issue. My point is a VS stone is a better value.

 

[pyramid]

Didn't know what you were gabbing about, I never read ss1934's posts.

I will probably go with either VVS2 or VS1, a jeweller has told me that VS2 and SI1 are for the mass market and a fine diamond only really starts at VS1. So I figure if I am not going with a domestic cut but looking for a superideal then I should not go for domestic in the clarity grade or color either.

Sometimes I wonder if all this ideal cut and high color, clarity is just to get people to pay more instead of rarity of the diamond being the price factor. Maybe the 2 months salary is not a bad thing, then people will only buy what they can afford.

 

[Rank Amateur]

One of the pros hopefully will confirm, but I would think that chips and nicks from wear or breakage certainly can affect the clarity grading, especially in the ultra-high clarity ranges. Maybe only in the case of a FL grade?

 

[mike04456]

A nick is a "blemish" (surface imperfection). It only matters between FL and IF. If you nick a FL stone, you've just dropped it to IF.




A chip is an inclusion. It will most certainly affect the clarity grade with anything above I1. Below that, it depends on how bad the rest of the stone is. A bad chip could drop you from VVS1 to SI2 all by itself, but you'd really have to clobber the diamond or hit it at precisely the right angle.




The difference between a nick and a chip is really just a matter of degree. Chips have depth to them, nicks do not.