DIAMONDS VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE

Worried about your diamond?

Many people are. After all, it’s one of the most valuable purchases you’ll make your entire life.

So what diamonds are vulnerable to damage?

What makes a diamond weak?

Let’s find out…

ALL diamonds are susceptible!!!

The minute a diamond is mined from the Earth, it’s weak! Granted, diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, sure… But once man gets involved, diamonds are affected.

Diamonds grow in planes, formations, and cleavage lines (think growth rings in a tree) which makes them easier to bruit or saw. But these same fault lines also makes them vulnerable. A good hit or strike at just the right angle could damage a diamond forever. They can chip, crack, break in half, just like a chunk of ice.

This damage can occur when a jeweler is setting the diamond in a mounting as well. If they press too hard with the prongs they can crack your stone. If they pop it too deep into the head, they can crush the culet (bottom point of the diamond).

Thin is weak!

All areas of a diamond where it gets thinner (like around the girdle and base), or diamonds that have points on them, or have sharp corners, are the weakest. This is why diamond rings have prongs and heads; to protect the sides and base of the diamond.

But it’s also where accidents can happen

Jewelers, even the best of them, can accidentally push too hard and chip the stone. This is why it’s a good idea to microscope your diamond ring when you pick it up from setting, sizing, repairs… Just to make sure your diamonds weren’t damaged.

If your prongs are bent sideways, or the edge of the stone is in view, it can be broken!

Tension set mountings are known for this. Tension settings are where only two opposite sides of the diamond are held in place in the mounting. All the rest of the diamond is open. It lets a lot of light into the stone and shows the stone off beautifully, but it also makes it very unsafe.

Check the diamond report

If the girdle of a diamond is “extremely thin“, or “thin” (as seen on a GIA diamond report), then it can chip much easier than a medium sized girdle (which I recommend buying).

Any stone with an edge, corner, or thin point should be covered and protected. Diamonds that chip easier are cutting styles like: Princess cut, Heart Cut, Marquise Cut, Baguette Cut…

Make them stronger

Now there’s nothing wrong with owning these shapes of diamonds, I actually adore them. But make sure that these weakest areas are covered with a lot of metal. Some jewelers put a standard prong over these tips, and others put v-tipped prongs… Go for the v-tips! V-tips are where a flat piece of metal (like a bracket) goes on either side of the corner to cover it. Those are secure. Unlike a standard prong which can get bumped, knocked, and chip the entire portion of the stone off.

If your ring doesn’t have v-tips on the corners, ask for them. Have the head switched out. Get one that is more durable and guarded.

Plus, v-tips actually make your diamond look better. They give a stone that nice, crisp corner or point. It’s a win-win!

One other thing makes a diamond weak…

Footloose

If your diamond is loose in the mounting, if it rocks, tilts, spins or dances… It’s vulnerable. When a diamond moves or rotates in the head, the sides of the stone can get roughed up (giving the stone a bearded girdle – as seen above); tiny-like fractures all the way around the outer edge. That’s why it’s wise to get your diamond inspected at least twice a year, just to make sure it’s tight, covered with prongs, and shielded.

Protect yourself

Make sure that you get your diamond insured too. Get it insured for damage, chips, loss, theft, an act of God… Because insuring your stone is the only true way to keep your diamond from harm.

Is your diamond vulnerable to damage?

Check your stone (buy yourself a 10x jeweler’s loupe and see). It could save yourself a lot of aggravation and headaches in the future.

Cheers! :)