Some Jewelry Stores are notorious for selling Spread Stones.
There are actually some very good reasons for this, but there are also a lot of BAD!
First things first, the important question:
What are Spread Stones?
Spread Stones (or Spread Diamonds) are stones that are Cut Shallow so they appear larger than they really are.
The width of a Spread Diamond is wider than a normal Cut Diamond (Ideal Cut). The Depth of the stone is more Shallow (or Narrow). So a One Carat (1.00 CT) Diamond could actually look more like a 1.25 CT or a 1.50 CT.
It doesn't really sound that bad, they do appear LARGER (More Tempting)...
But we need to find out WHY they are Cut like this...
Why are Diamonds Cut Spread?
Diamonds are Cut odd shapes and sizes because of the initial parent rock.
Diamond Cutters utilize as much of the rock as possible (Mainly for maximum profit). So if one Diamond ends up being Cut really thin and narrow, that's just the way it goes. See Picture Below of a parent rock with an Ideal Cut Diamond and a Shallow Cut Diamond!
A Larger Diamond does add more BLING to the RING! (And Women LOVE Large Diamonds!)
Plus, there is one other compelling reason why Spread Diamonds sell so well...
PRICE!
Spread Diamonds Are Cheaper!
When the Cut is off (considered a Poor Cut), the Price is Cheaper!
Spread Stones are NOT Cut to Ideal Standards which results in a Cheaper Cut.
Cheaper is NOT always Better!
No matter what, most customers will look at these LARGER THAN LIFE Diamonds and think "These are Awesome!"... I mean how can you pass up a stone that large at a Discounted Price?
Jewelry Stores sell tons of Spread Stones because they can sell them cheaper and of course, they can buy them cheaper!
But before you buy one yourself, you should know what Spread Stones lack...
Spread Stones Lack LIFE!
The Life of any Diamond is in its Sparkle and Brilliance and Fire! Without this dazzling display of light, Diamonds would be dull, boring, dark and look like any other rock.
Diamonds that are Cut too shallow lose Light right out the bottom of the Diamond (The Pavilion).
Light that is lost doesn't bounce back out of the top of the Diamond and give the viewer those lovely little Sparkles and Flashes of beauty (known as Scintillation).
Any Diamond that has a Depth of 51% or less (0-51%) is considered a Poor Cut and a Shallow Stone. These stones will lose light and life. You can check out what the Depth of your Diamond is by looking at a Diamond Certificate!
These Spread Stones may appear large, but they won't Sparkle like a properly proportioned Diamond will.
See picture below...
Shallow Stones have Fish Eyes!
Shallow Diamonds also give you something else... Fish Eyes! When Diamonds are cut this Narrow and Shallow, the light passing through the stone gives it a dark center that circles around the Pavilion. This dark circle tends to look like a Fish Eye! Not pretty!
Shallow Stones are Fragile!
Not only do Spread Stones lose beauty and light, but they also become more fragile!
When Diamonds get shallow and thin, they become vulnerable, especially around the outer edge of the Diamond, which is called the Girdle. This edge can chip or break more easily because the Crown Facets (top of the Diamond) and Pavilion Facets meet at more of a sharp angle.
In fact, the entire Diamond becomes more prone to breaking since the stone gets so narrow. The odds of damage are greatly escalated!
Not only do YOU have to be more careful when wearing a Spread Diamond, but even Jewelers have to be more careful when setting them into heads or mountings.
My Advice:
Always view your Diamond under a microscope when you pick it up from the Jeweler.
Double check that the Diamond isn't fractured or cracked around the edge.
Which also brings up another good point: Make sure you get your Diamond Insured! You never know what could happen to your stone, especially if it's Spread!
Spread Stones may look like a great deal... Size and Price are a big seller...
But Sparkle, Beauty and Protection should play a huge factor in buying a Diamond as well.
Stick to Ideal Proportions (or close to it), and you will never have to worry about spreading yourself, or your Diamond thin! :)
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