Feather created by pressure or blow - possible or not?

[ajoh3142]

Hi All - I have a purely academic question for any of you experts: Can a feather be created in a diamond, say on the girdle edge and extending in toward the stone from setting, overtightening prongs, pressure, blow, etc.? I ask this because a feather is a type of crack, and I was wondering if they are ever created from external forces after being cut - think of a rock hitting a windshield where it doesn't break the windshield but leaves that little feather type inclusion on the windshield. Is this possible with diamonds too, or would the diamond just chip? What are your thoughts?

 

[Gypsy]

Sure it's possible if you hit it right.

 

[Ravinmad]

Sure it's possible if you hit it right.

+1 Gypsy's comment. Diamond is not impervious, thou sometimes we wish it was

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would call it a crack and not a feather if it was the result of a blow, but yes, it does happen and is another reason we stress the importance of a good insurance policy! My mother's original diamond basically shattered inside from a blow that she wasn't even aware of. So I've always been pretty careful with mine!

 

[Sparkle524]

Yes definitely. I purchased a princess cut diamond last year and had a setting made. Well when the diamond was set the setter cracked the diamond. I noticed it while I was looking at it in the house before I was able to get insurance. They ended up taking the stone back.

 

[MissStepcut]

Yes definitely. I purchased a princess cut diamond last year and had a setting made. Well when the diamond was set the setter cracked the diamond. I noticed it while I was looking at it in the house before I was able to get insurance. They ended up taking the stone back.

Do princesses crack more often? I swear every time I hear a story about a stone cracking, it's a princess. Maybe just my confirmation bias.

 

[catia]

I am curious about the same thing--this past week as a matter of fact.
I've been looking at many antique diamond reports (gia)--
I specifically wonder because so many antique stones have so many feathers around their edges.
So much so that I don't believe it's coincidence.

I'd love to hear some experts chime in--it's a really good question!

 

[Christina...]

I don't know specifically if princess cut tend to crack more often than other cuts, but I guess it would make sense to me. I would think that because of the sharp delicate corners that they would be more at risk when taking a hit against something, same for the points of marquis and pears.

 

[Sparkle524]

I don't know specifically if princess cut tend to crack more often than other cuts, but I guess it would make sense to me. I would think that because of the sharp delicate corners that they would be more at risk when taking a hit against something, same for the points of marquis and pears.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Laila619]

Yes definitely. I purchased a princess cut diamond last year and had a setting made. Well when the diamond was set the setter cracked the diamond. I noticed it while I was looking at it in the house before I was able to get insurance. They ended up taking the stone back.

Do princesses crack more often? I swear every time I hear a story about a stone cracking, it's a princess. Maybe just my confirmation bias.

Yes, they do. They have the fragile corners and shallow crowns. Both can be prone to chipping/cracking.

 

[webdiva]

Yes, one of the top jewelers here in LA told me they have issues with princesses when I took in my promise ring (tourmaline princess) when the prongs were loose. Corners breaking off, prongs coming loose, cracking, etc.

 

[ajoh3142]

Thanks diamondseeker. I didn't ask my question very well, but you hit on what I was trying to find out. Of course, diamonds can break, chip, etc., but I wonder if there is ever impact to a stone which would mimic natural feather formation, and thus, if submitted to GIA, they would plot that impact as a feather - or would any damage by mechanical means be differentiated and thus noted as a crack or something else? I know what I'm trying to ask, but finding it difficult to convey!

 

[Ravinmad]

I think the awnser is "it depends"

A sharp, solid blow would probably have a bullet in a window or winshield effect with obvious indications. I am sure a diamond expert and most GIA GG's, appraisers, and such are trained to tell a natural feather versus a inflicted/impact crack/feather. Depending on location, depth and such I do believe a edge impact crack~feather might be able to be cut from a stone, but then again its likely a case by base basis.

Take the stone to a jeweler and have him check it out for you, and give you his honest opinion on if its a natural feather or a damage crack if you have a stone that's questionable in theroy