another recut question

[Kelli]

I''ve learned that diamonds can break/shatter during recutting, but that it''s rare. What I want to know is, HOW RARE??? I posted before about recutting my "GIA excellent" steep-deep stone and am now 99% sure I want to do it. I tried to convince myself to leave it alone, but I waited eight years for this ring and I tend to be a perfectionist. Now that I''ve seen some of the other transformations on here I can''t stop thinking about it. I talked to Brian at whiteflash and I''m pretty sure I''m sending my stone out tomorrow (technically later today) for him to at least see it before I decide anything. He said (obviously estimating based on the specs) that I''d probably lose about 5% of the weight, hopefully not more than ten points and about two tenths of a mm in diameter to make it really ideal and proportionate. He also said that there can never be a guarantee of excellent polish and symmetry, that it may end up very good, but will still be a better performing and prettier diamond. Right now my stone is 1.44. The visual size to me is more important than the actual weight, but the sparkle is most important, as well as getting rid of that leakage issue. Do you think I would notice two tenths of a mm? He also said that because there will be less leakage around the edges, that it may actually have the appearance of being bigger, not smaller. This all sounds good to me but would love to have some genius input from fellow diamond obsessed people. And back to my original question--- HOW RARE is the breakage risk? 1 in 100? or 1000? or a million??? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[DiamondExpert]

No way to answer this question, but the odds are probably very much in your favor. It depends on the strain, if any, and nature and position of the inclusions...don't worry about it and trust the evaluation of a trusted cutter...after all there is risk in getting out of bed every morning!

 

[honey22]

I would say that if you are a tad obsessive (takes one to know one hey

) and in a stone that size, then go for it! You will end up with a gorgeous sparklier stone that will look better and I bet you won''t be able to remember those few tenths of a mm.

How about visiting some jewellers who stock AGS 000 stones in that size and a bit lower (ie. 1.45, 1.35, 1.2 etc) and seeing if your stone looks better next to those and whether you can tell size difference too much? Once you actually compare the approximate sizes and see that sparkle, you may just find your answer?!

Good luck!

 

[arjunajane]

I would say no, you will not be able to see tenths of mm, especially since it will be done and so won''t be comparing side by side.
I would also agree with the assertion there is a good chance it would look the same or bigger, due to the better performance after the recut.
I think it sounds like a great idea - to your Question on breakage, I can''t answer, but would trust Brian''s judgement on that one.

 

[Kelli]

Thanks everyone! One last thing-- may be a stupid question. I do have to take the diamond out of the setting before I send it right?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/9/2008 9:54:19 AM
Author: Kelli
Thanks everyone! One last thing-- may be a stupid question. I do have to take the diamond out of the setting before I send it right?

Discuss that with WF as they can remove it and reset it once it is recut.

As far as the risks go Brian can tell you more when he has the diamond in hand.
There are several factors such as inclusion location and strain that can make a difference, Brian can evaluate these for you.

 

[Kelli]

Thanks!