feather near girdle

[sarah1976]

hello! i have a small feather very close to the girdle and it doesnt look like a thin line, it looks more like it has depth to it...should i be concerned? Can everyday wear cause this feather to spread and eventually break thru the surface? also, how bad would i have to hit my diamond in order for it to break or possible spread the feather? I wear my diamond everyday, and every once in a while i will accicentally hit my stone either on my desk or just anything but not to the point that i hurt my finger when doing so, can somebody help me please?

 

[Lorelei]

Sarah I am sure one of the experts will be able to help you, when you say the feather looks like it has depth to it do you mean it is open like a crack? Does it break the surface or can you feel it with a fingernail ? Can you see it running down into the diamond? It is very hard to predict whether a feather will be a risk, apparently best avoided are open feathers or ones that are placed near the girdle, but ANY diamond is at risk of chipping or cracking and breaking if you hit it with enough force and are unlucky enough to hit it the wrong way. Many diamonds with feathers are worn daily and have been for years which are perfectly fine, maybe it would be best to have a pro check it over for you, but in all likelihood your diamond will be ok. If you could post a picture of the feather that might help the experts to advise you, but in all probability they will say to see a pro. Just another thought, is it a clarity enhanced diamond? Whatever you do keep it insured as a precaution which is the case with any diamond and try not to worry!

 

[sarah1976]

the diamond isnt enhanced and i dont feel anything when i run my nail across the facet. it runs up and down not sideways and as far as it looking open, i really dont know what to look for. it looks wide and grey, its not just a straight line. if this was a diamond enhanced diamond, would it make a difference as far as the feather is concerned?

 

[Lorelei]

Yes in a number of ways as there is a way to detect an enhancement with the " flash " effect - enhancement is normally used to fracture fill surface reaching feathers etc as far as I know and these diamonds need special care as the enhancement can be lost if the diamond is exposed to heat or certain substances, so anyone with a clarity enhanced diamond needs to disclose it to a jeweller if work is needed. That is why I was thinking if yours was a C.E diamond then extra care would be needed. It is very difficult to say regarding your inclusion, I think the best thing would be to get a pro to check it next time you are near a jeweller with a gemologist and to try not to worry about it and enjoy the diamond. I am not an expert here and for the pros it would be very hard to advise you without actually seeing the diamond, has the feather always been there or does it look as if it has changed or is more visible recently? If you go to Good Old Gold under vendors here www.goodoldgold.com they have a gallery of inclusions which may help you, also if you use the search tool above and type feather it should bring you up lots of info. This is a very common concern so you are not alone!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 2/1/2006 10:41:55 AM
Author:sarah1976
hello! i have a small feather very close to the girdle and it doesnt look like a thin line, it looks more like it has depth to it...should i be concerned? Can everyday wear cause this feather to spread and eventually break thru the surface? also, how bad would i have to hit my diamond in order for it to break or possible spread the feather? I wear my diamond everyday, and every once in a while i will accicentally hit my stone either on my desk or just anything but not to the point that i hurt my finger when doing so, can somebody help me please?

A feather is a tiny fissure inside the diamond, so when exposed it can be vulnerable. However, if it doesn''t break the surface there is far less cause for concern: When your diamond was mined, sawed and polished it underwent enormous pressure. Diamonds are subject to such tremendous friction that they turn white-hot on the polishing wheel. Normal wear will not come close to what it''s already seen.

Cutters try to plan around such inclusions so hopefully your feather is inside the diamond. Of course, diamonds have natural cleavage planes, so a knock the wrong way, especially at the girdle, can cause any diamond to chip or incur damage - feather or not. A good insurance policy should give you further peace of mind.

 

[Lorelei]

Great stuff Sir John! Check out this link Sarah as this may reassure you too.

 

[sarah1976]

what do i look for if the feather has broken the surface? earlier i was asked if i can feel it with my nail...would it look like a fine lump on the surface of my diamond? thanks again for all of your help!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 2/1/2006 11:39:57 AM
Author: sarah1976

what do i look for if the feather has broken the surface? earlier i was asked if i can feel it with my nail...would it look like a fine lump on the surface of my diamond? thanks again for all of your help!

Sometimes it''s tactile, sometimes not. Examination under a microscope can help, and a knowledgable appraiser can provide a definite answer.

 

[Lorelei]

Sarah this thread should answer that question for you until John or one of the other experts chimes in again. This thread concerns a VS2 diamond with a feather that could be " felt."

 

[sarah1976]

my feather looks exactly like the one on the link lorelie referred me too, it shows the feather as a big grey looking thing on the top and then there is line going up and down underneath it...i wonder if mine is a reflection like the feather on that link?

 

[Demelza]

It sounds like you have several concerns about your diamond. A trip to a well-qualified independent appraiser should answer all of them. I would definitely try to do that since some of your concerns are related to the stone''s durability (very thin girdle, feather, etc.). I see you''re in Florida -- you might want to see how close you are to Rich Sherwood, a very well-regarded independent appraiser who posts here often. He is highly knowledgeable and very nice. Good luck!

 

[Kaleigh]

If you are any where near Richard Sherwood I would make the drive. He is an excellent appraiser.

 

[Mara]

Date: 2/1/2006 8:29:03 PM
Author: Demelza
It sounds like you have several concerns about your diamond. A trip to a well-qualified independent appraiser should answer all of them. I would definitely try to do that since some of your concerns are related to the stone''s durability (very thin girdle, feather, etc.). I see you''re in Florida -- you might want to see how close you are to Rich Sherwood, a very well-regarded independent appraiser who posts here often. He is highly knowledgeable and very nice. Good luck!

A resounding DITTO here...Sarah you have asked a few Q''s about your diamond, the fisheye, and the girdle and now a feather...without seeing the stone it''s very hard for anyone to say anything definitive.

I''d take it to an independent appraiser, an expert that you can sit down with, look at the stone and ask your questions and more....hopefully it will clear it all up. Rich Sherwood is awesome. Good luck!

 

[mrssalvo]

I 4th the motion to take it to Rich for an independant appraisal if you can. He did an appraisal on my OEC stone and it was just awesome. He is absolutely the nicest man and will be very helpful. I believe Roc Doc is in Florida too, so if you can''t get to Rich you can try him.

 

[smappraisal]

Hello all,
I don''t think you have to be concerned about a feather at the girdle compromising the security (breakage) of the diamond. Feathers are a separation or break in the crystal structure of the diamond. It can occur a couple of different ways. 1)When the rough crystal is formulating during the crystalization process, the growth of that rough crystal is starting and stopping and can occur over millions of years. That inclusion, the feather in this case, is the result of the separation and/or breakage in the crystal stacking that happens as the process proceeds,stops,proceeds,stops, etc.....carbon atoms subjected to tremendous heat and pressure to form rough diamond.The formation of a diamond crystal, for all intents and purposes, does not occur at a fixed rate over a finite period of time. Therefore, inclusions of all types are going to occur and enter the picture. 2) It can also occur when the rough diamond crystal is cleaved, the first step in the process of polishing a finished crystal, a diamond as we know it.
As a last thought, diamond setters will use one of the prongs to "hide the sins" of a feather inclusion at or around the girdle. Inclusions do not "grow", whether internal or external, but the added protection of a prong can''t hurt. Hope this helps.

Stephen Marino
Professional Appraiser
Boston & vicinity

 

[sarah1976]

thanks so much for all of the useful info.! my husband is having my diamond insured so i can have peace of mind...i think that is what my big issue is!

 

[ame]

I think you will be fine!