Help! Girdle thickness is extremely thin to slightly thick?

[Hexagon]

I just got the GIA report for a diamond that I love and want to use for an engagement ring. The girdle thickness ranges form extremely thin to slightly thick. I really don’t want to risk chipping, but it’s also a pretty rare cut, so I don’t want to pass either.

Is this a problem? Is it fixable? How much would fixing cost?

Check out the GIA report. Would love your thoughts on the girdle or anything else notable here. Thank you!!!!!

 

[ecf8503]

Bezel it

 

[Hexagon]

Bezel it

I don’t love the look of bezel for this stone and would rather pass and look for another if it’s not possible to fix. Do you think it a cutter could fix it?

 

[headlight]

I'm not quite sure how a cutter could fix it given the girdle is established at the beginning of the process. It sounds like a monumental recut, and if there is a clarity characteristic "in the way" that may prohibit what is required, thus making it not be possible. Also, did you notice there is a chip? Additionally, giiven the unique nature of the shape, I don't know how many cutters do this type of cutting. I am hoping some of the professionals here will comment as I am interested in your concern and what you would like to accomplish. I, personally, would steer clear of an extremely thin girdle, and I don't even know if going with a bezel will be enough (although I like the idea!) and one that isn't chunky would be very nice with the shape of this stone. It's my feeling that you should move on in your search, as disappointing as that may be.

 

[Hexagon]

I'm not quite sure how a cutter could fix it given the girdle is established at the beginning of the process. It sounds like a monumental recut, and if there is a clarity characteristic "in the way" that may prohibit what is required, thus making it not be possible. Also, did you notice there is a chip? Additionally, giiven the unique nature of the shape, I don't know how many cutters do this type of cutting. I am hoping some of the professionals here will comment as I am interested in your concern and what you would like to accomplish. I, personally, would steer clear of an extremely thin girdle, and I don't even know if going with a bezel will be enough (although I like the idea!) and one that isn't chunky would be very nice with the shape of this stone. It's my feeling that you should move on in your search, as disappointing as that may be.

Thank you! That’s a bummer to hear, but good to know what’s realistic.

There are no chips as far as I can tell.

I guess I was hoping it would be an easy fix, that they could just shave off the edge a bit - I obviously don’t know anything about cutting diamonds.

I would hate to pass because it’s amazing in every other way, but it would be that much kore heartbreaking if I chipped it down the line

If anyone else has more input, would love to hear!

 

[headlight]

Thank you! That’s a bummer to hear, but good to know what’s realistic.

There are no chips as far as I can tell.

I guess I was hoping it would be an easy fix, that they could just shave off the edge a bit - I obviously don’t know anything about cutting diamonds.

I would hate to pass because it’s amazing in every other way, but it would be that much kore heartbreaking if I chipped it down the line

If anyone else has more input, would love to hear!

If you read the notes for Clarity Characteristics on the grading report, the first one listed says Chip.

 

[Rose-gold-or-bust]

The Gia already lists it having a chip, I wouldn’t chance this stone but that’s my very limited opinion

 

[yssie]

It’s a hexagon.
Your alternate options are going to be extremely limited - there aren’t that many of these in larger sizes.
It’s a reputably-graded VVS - any clarity characteristics will pose no greater-than-usual risk to durability.
The report doesn’t specify how much of the girdle is knife-edged.
What’s the return policy?
What setting style do you want?
Who’ll be doing the setting?
Can your jeweller look st the stone in-person and give you his or her informed opinion?

 

[Hexagon]

It’s a hexagon.
Your alternate options are going to be extremely limited - there aren’t that many of these in larger sizes.
It’s a reputably-graded VVS - any clarity characteristics will pose no greater-than-usual risk to durability.
The report doesn’t specify how much of the girdle is knife-edged.
What’s the return policy?
What setting style do you want?
Who’ll be doing the setting?
Can your jeweller look st the stone in-person and give you his or her informed opinion?

Not sure of the return policy, but I’m working directly with a local diamond dealer and I’ve seen it in person.

I’d like prongs and not interested in bezel.

The dealer’s jeweler would set it. I haven’t been in contact with him. I might be able to ask the jeweler for his opinion, but my dealer is already asking his cutter for input and I don’t want to ask too much of the dealer, especially if I have to pass on this while hoping that he’ll continue searching for me.

It seems like the general consensus is that given the extremely thin girdle and existing chip and feather, it would be best to pass. Would you agree?

 

[tyty333]

Not sure of the return policy, but I’m working directly with a local diamond dealer and I’ve seen it in person.

I’d like prongs and not interested in bezel.

The dealer’s jeweler would set it. I haven’t been in contact with him. I might be able to ask the jeweler for his opinion, but my dealer is already asking his cutter for input and I don’t want to ask too much of the dealer, especially if I have to pass on this while hoping that he’ll continue searching for me.

It seems like the general consensus is that given the extremely thin girdle and existing chip and feather, it would be best to pass. Would you agree?

What setting are you interested in? There are settings that are not bezel but do tend to be more protective. I would see if you can have the stone looked
at by an unbiased appraiser and find out how much of the girdle is thin. An appraiser (unbiased) can be very helpful.

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

 

[Hexagon]

What setting are you interested in? There are settings that are not bezel but do tend to be more protective. I would see if you can have the stone looked
at by an unbiased appraiser and find out how much of the girdle is thin. An appraiser (unbiased) can be very helpful.

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

Interested in prongs, pretty adamantly against bezel.

The dealer’s cutter recommended against recutting to fix the girdle, as it would change the shape.

The dealer says the girdle looks to be around the same thickness around the entire stone and insists that it’s not more likely to chip than a medium girdle. I would love to believe that, but have read otherwise during my research.

He also said the chip is near the edge.

I think I need to move on, which makes me so sad, but I guess there are other diamonds out there.

Has anyone had any luck requesting a custom cut diamond???

 

[cflutist]

I personally will not buy a diamond with an extremely thin or very thin girdle which is just asking for a nick or chip to happen. On the other end of the spectrum, I would not buy a thick, very thick, or extremely thick girdle either as it represents wasted weight that the cutter preserved (not a problem with OP's diamond).

This is a really cool blog article about girdle thicknesses with some neat graphics written by @John Pollard that I found on the HPD website.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/blog/blog-article/44/girdle-thickness.htm