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cracked diamond?

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crash_363

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2004
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7
Hello all,

I just received my diamond from my guy! and an distraught! there is a crack that extends approx half way across the table of the stone. At first I though it was a feather ans wasn''t concerned, but today I ran the tip of a needle over teh line and it is definitely a crack! ahhhh, what do I do ? will the diamond be okay, if diamonds are the hardest mineral will the diamond ever actually crack in half, some one please help me
 
I would definitely bring it to an appraiser and have them thoroughly check it out. To ease your mind now, you might want to get a loupe and take a look at it up close. Is the diamond certified? If so, is there an inclusion plotted on the certificate in approximately this location?

As for if it is really a crack, they can get worse when stressed, so this is something that needs to get taken care of right away.

How long have you had the diamond? I would also definitely contact the jeweler your fiance purchased it from.

Good luck.
 
hi thank you for your response,

unfortantely the diamond is not certified, but it came with an appraisal from GIA sooooo, but the stone is definitely cracked because you can feel it! not only on top but also on the side when you run the tip of the needle over it
 
This is going to sound silly, but just let me ask this following question:

Have you tried cleaning the diamond thoroughly?

The reason I ask is that a jeweler once told me that his wife came to him in tears convinced that her diamond was cracked right across the table, and it turned out it was glue strung across it!! (She had been doing a project with their daughter lol).
 
Hi
was there an mention on the GIA appraisal of a cleavage , usually there is a plot on the quality report , what was the clarity grade?
although diamonds are the hardest thing they are not the toughest thing, Big difference.
 
hi
no mention in the appraisal of a cleavage,
graded SI 1 that was also why i was concerned when i first noticed it because if it is truely a SI1 i shouldn't be able to see such a lrg feather, also to address the cleaning question, the ring is brand spanking new so i am not sure if that applies, mind you i am a nurse and am washing my hands all the time including the ring
 
GIA does not do appraisals, so check your document...it is either a grading report by GIA or an appraisal done by someone who may be using the GIA initials as being trained by them.
 
Ditto to taking it to an appraiser and getting him to verify the claity grade, have a look at it thru a scope, and see if there is any recourse from the seller.
 
hi again, first thatnks for taking the time to answer!!!


i have the appraisal in my hot little hand, it says:

Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America
it gives me a reference # and everything
but this doesn't really answer my question about what is going to happen to the diamond if the seller won't replace it, will it crack all the way thru one day, will I look down and there be no diamond there?????
 
GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America.
 
Sorry, but that is NOT a report from the GIA which if issued from them, does say "GIA Gem Trade Laboratory" on them.
 
HI
GIA stands for Gemological institute of america and the do quality reports not appraisals with prices, perhaps the people that did the appraisal didn't grade it properly as an eye visable inclusion (from what I precieve you see) would not be an SI1.
There could be a durability problem but you might want to have it checked out buy an independant appraiser and present the results to the seller perhaps they would exchange the diamond. I think you'll be worried about this until you do.
 
sorry to offend GIA, when i typed that i didn't have the appraisal at teh ready, when i went to my jewellery box and retrieved the appraisal I realized it was a gal appraisal NOT a GIA as i said, sorry folks

but again back to the integrity of the diamond, will it last??? or should it be replaced??? i am the kinda girl that places huge sentiment on things like this, don't want it replaced unless it is going to be a problem and HAS to be replaced
 
Go to an independent appraiser and ask them about the seriousness of the crack. They will be best able to tell you what are your options.

I can sympathize with you...my first engagement ring had a chip near a prong, and no matter how much I really wanted to keep it, my fiance paid way too much for me to have a chipped diamond just two days later!!

Good luck!
 
Hi Crash,

An "appraised SI-1" with a visible surfaced crack going across the table?

If all of this is accurate, there is something rotten in Denmark.

Did he pay anywhere near SI-1 pricing?

It sounds as if the stone is no better than a I-1.


IMO, there is simply no way you are going to feel better about this in the future if you don't act now.

If you are within the return period, I would return it now.


If you are not within the return period, you still may have some recourse as it sounds like this diamond is nowhere near a SI-1.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease

Keep us posted
 
Crash,

Carefully read what that 'appraisal' says. As has been pointed out many times above, it sounds like it's a problem of the original grading, not damage that you've done to the stone. A professional inspection would help a lot. If the appraiser determines that you have, in fact, broken your diamond then you may have a valid insurance claim and if it is determined that the seller misrepresented the stone, you may some recourse. In both cases you will need to visit a pro.

I once had a client bring in a GIA graded VVS2 diamond for examination that they had just bought on ebay. It was nowhere near right so we got into looking at the GIA report. It was a legit GIA report but it turns out it was graded to have an V color - VS2 clarity! The fine print matters.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver
 
V-VS2 = VVS2
eek.gif
Good grief!
9.gif


Seriously, there is no way to tell if a surface crack will extend or not - it may be the sign of an internal fracture or not - so we cannot know from this side of the screen. But such a feature would mean I1 and a rock bottom discount - there are better I1s out there, most likely. The respective clarity grade need not be a curse - one can find an appealing gem with no durability issues and GIA's I1 clarity on the cert.

Can you return this one ?
 
Was this diamond from ebay or a reputable jeweler?

Sounds like ebay w/ the GAL. Can it be returned? Did you buy the diamond loose? Is the stone fracture filled? Upon setting, sometimes feathers/fractures can crack a stone.
 
hi
yes it was bought on e-bay
and it is an "enhanced" diamond
i think we are just outside of the return time,
i am planning on calling the seller on Monday and seeing what he is willing to do, my concern is though, that if he tells us to proverbially pound salt, that.... Can i expect the diamond to crack in half in the near future? I am aware that sometimes internal fractures and feathers can cause a diamond to crack during setting, and the crack in my stone does not appear very bad, BUT how bad is it going to get.... the only reason I even noticed it was because I knew what to look for in terms of blemishes. No one else including my fiance noticed it. The ring is really beautiful, and I am very pleased with the look of the ring, I realize that in life you get what you pay for and beleive me I am very happy with what he paid BUT i still an concerned that if the diamond is going to crack it should be replaced by the vendor. Am I right in thinking this? or is it a risk no matter what with it being an "enhanced" diamond that they all crack eventually?
 
----------------
On 9/12/2004 11:37:28 AM crash_363 wrote:

hi
yes it was bought on e-bay
and it is an 'enhanced' diamond
i think we are just outside of the return time,
i am planning on calling the seller on Monday and seeing what he is willing to do, my concern is though, that if he tells us to proverbially pound salt, that.... Can i expect the diamond to crack in half in the near future? I am aware that sometimes internal fractures and feathers can cause a diamond to crack during setting, and the crack in my stone does not appear very bad, BUT how bad is it going to get.... the only reason I even noticed it was because I knew what to look for in terms of blemishes. No one else including my fiance noticed it. The ring is really beautiful, and I am very pleased with the look of the ring, I realize that in life you get what you pay for and beleive me I am very happy with what he paid BUT i still an concerned that if the diamond is going to crack it should be replaced by the vendor. Am I right in thinking this? or is it a risk no matter what with it being an 'enhanced' diamond that they all crack eventually?----------------


I suspected the stone to be enhanced. I will defer to any of the experts as to whether the crack is indeed the place where the fracture was filled or somehow cracked.

Also, you may want to do a search on enhanced stones. Lots of good information on these boards about it.
 
----------------
On 9/12/2004 11:37:28 AM crash_363 wrote:


.. or is it a risk no matter what with it being an 'enhanced' diamond that they all crack eventually?----------------



No they do not.

Yehuda (and perhaps other makers of clarity enhancements, but this is to be investigated case by case) guarantees the enhancement. If they guarantee the integrity of the diamond? I don't think so. On the other hand, since the diamond resisted cutting and polishing, it will definitely wear ok. - you are not likely to ever subject your ring to the same strain that the diamond went through during cutting.

It is not possible to say if that certain crack is an issue without seeing it. I would worry if it does extend into the gem allot (say, a quarter of the depth
eek.gif
) Otherwise - it should not pose any more durability issues than any I1 sort of inclusion.

read.gif
This is about all I know...
 
Crash,

Clarity enhanced diamonds are not inherently fragile. In order for the treatment company to do their magic, it is necessary for the inclusion to break the surface so it's not particularly surprising that you can find it when inspecting. The cutting process is actually quite aggressive and stones that are on the brink of breakage will not usually survive it. Filling the feather will have no affect on the durability. It's sounding like you bought a filled I1 stone for a filled I1 price with full disclosure on the enhancement. I would still recommend that you get it inspected by a professional appraiser, just to assure you that you got what you paid for but your worry is probably unfounded. Free advise from people that you don't know and who have never actually seen the stone is not a particularly good source of information if you're trying to make an important decision.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver
 
Oh man! This sucks. Yet another strike against Ebay for me. I absolutely will NOT go to that site. Ever. Let alone buy anything on it...this is why.

I hope that you are able tog et the money back and I hope he didn't pay a lot for it.
 
Oh boy, time is of the essence. Do you have any pictures proving it came cracked and didn't happen after you got it? Make some strong threats about giving negative feedback and complaining to Ebay about fraud.
 
Oh! I am so sorry about the crack in your new sparkly!
sad.gif


I've read that "enhanced" diamonds can be more brittle and subject to cracks.

Perhaps you can have your crack "filled" -- but the problem there is you have to be extra-careful with it and keep it away from ammonia cleaners because that could cloud up the filling. These diamond boards have made me obsessed with diamonds! I find myself spouting things I've read like an expert, but I must tell you I'm just a novice, as you can tell from my posts.

Good luck! I hope you can return your ring.
I think PayPal and eBay both have guarantee now where if the seller is certified (has X amount of eBay feedback with at least 97% rating you can get your money back minus a deductible.)

Oh -- and start documenting ALL e-mails between you and the seller.
Copy yourself on all e-mails and go through the eBay process for disputes to the letter. That may help you in court one day should it come to that - and I hope not!

I've got my fingers crossed for you!

And congratulations on getting engaged! The man's the real gem!
appl.gif
 
----------------
On 9/12/2004 12:01:51 PM denverappraiser wrote:

Crash,

Clarity enhanced diamonds are not inherently fragile. In order for the treatment company to do their magic, it is necessary for the inclusion to break the surface so it's not particularly surprising that you can find it when inspecting. The cutting process is actually quite aggressive and stones that are on the brink of breakage will not usually survive it. Filling the feather will have no affect on the durability. It's sounding like you bought a filled I1 stone for a filled I1 price with full disclosure on the enhancement. I would still recommend that you get it inspected by a professional appraiser, just to assure you that you got what you paid for but your worry is probably unfounded. Free advise from people that you don't know and who have never actually seen the stone is not a particularly good source of information if you're trying to make an important decision.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver----------------


Everyone keeps talking about the diamond being cracked after the fact. If what I read above & what I can glean, isn't she just seeing the filled fracture? In other words, it sounds like the stone *is* what it *is*. But, true to the advice above also, no one can really tell what is going on without having someone qualified to inspect it. Since you say you love the ring & are really only concerned about the diamond's future, this would give you the piece of mind or the answer to your question.
 
HI Crash,
Take a deep breath and chill out , if the enhanced diamond was heated by the guy that set it or sized it this could drive the enhancement out the good news is that it can be redone and well. I have been a Yehuda dealer for years and have had people ruin stones and had them retreated and they looked great. Yehuda will retreat the diamond even if its not theirs, not sure what they charge if anything at all, maybe shipping.
Check their web site, very imformative.
I had a 2.00 ct one redone that was retiped by some unsespecting gold smith. looked like an I3 came back SI1. if you keep it make sure you tell anyone that words on your ring that it is enhanced.
Good luck
 
If you have a decent credit card, you can always stop payment.
 
HI all thanks for your wisdom,

have since been to a reputable dealer/gemologist in my town, he advises me that I have a SI2 stone with a fracture that comes thru the top of the stone, he states it was probably cut that way to be filled! I have now seen the stone thru the loop for myself and my fears are laid to rest!!! Thanks again, this is a great board!
 
crash_363.....Sorry to hear the bad news. Hopefully the person or company that sold you this diamond will be willing to make the situation right. I also would take your diamond to an independant appraiser to be inspected. This way you will have documentation to support the misrepresentation of what you purchased. Plus, you'll know what it is that you purchased. I hope everything works out for you. Good luck....

1.gif
 
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