Very Think Girdle Bad?

[diamondseeker]

Hello!

I'm thinknig about buying a 1.54ct princess diamond but it says the girdle is very thin. Is this a good idea? How bad is a very think girdle?

Much Thanks!

Mike

[John]

Princess diamonds are more prone to having chipped edges then other shape diamonds like rounds, or emerald/asscher shapes which have clipped corners. So that plus the very thin girdle could cause problems later down the road. Having said that most diamonds like this that are chipped are usually done during the setting process can be repaired/repolished for a relatively low cost and if you get it set well you may never have to worry about it again.

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

The notation "Very Thin" for girdle, is a RED FLAG that should be acknowledged. The fact that diamond is the hardest material known only means that it's very hard, but it is also very brittle and subject to chipping when pressure is brought to bear at the weakest parts of the finished stone The prongs of a mounting (ring) apply pressure to the girdle to hold the stone in the ring. When a setter puts a little to much pressure while bending the prong in place, sometimes (rarely) the edge of the girdle chips away. Sometimes it will take a piece of the Pavilion with it. This hazard is why we avoid "Thin Girdles". Most diamonds are cut with medium to medium thick girdles since that is where they can include the most of the raw material in the finished product. It just so happens that that girdle is considered to be the most desirable.

Merv Cohn ASA
www.e-praise.com
Senior Appraiser, American Society of Apprisers