I need some expert opinions on these inclusions

[Speedbump]

I''m getting close to crunch time with purchasing a diamond and I need some input on these inclusions. Feel free to chime in, both the good and the bad. Since some of these inclusions appear to cross the girdle--can they possibly compromise the structural integrity of the stone? Thanks.

 

[Frisket]

I really dont think that could compromise the structural integrity of the stone.
those inclusions look minimal, although it is hard to tell without seeing the stone.
most of those inclusions look like they will probably be hidden by the teeth on the setting if its going to be put in one.

so it looks good!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Hiya SpeedBump. What does the "key to inclusions" list the characteristics as being?

 

[Speedbump]

Richard,

The key lists the straight lines as needles and the more squiggly lines as feathers. Are needles and feathers good or bad? Thanks again.

 

[kenny]

What kind of setting do you have in mind?

Full bezel
Half bezel
8 prong
6 prong
4 prong
Tension
Other

 

[Speedbump]

Kenny,

My fiancee definitely wants a six prong--with a diamond like this, I imaging that the setter could hide a lot of these inclusions. This stone offers me a lot of value in terms of cut, color, and carat weight. My only concern is the clarity. The stone is apparently "eye clean." However, I heard somewhere that inclusions crossing the girdle may compromise the structural integrity of the stone (will it have a tendency to chip?). I just want to know if there is any turth to this statement or is it just BS.

 

[kenny]

I'm just a consumer like you.

If it was my money I'd believe the "BS", or at least not take a chance.
To me, a working guy, diamond is a huge and important investment.
I'm going to be extra careful about that chance of buying one that is not strong near the girdle.
I sent a stone back for this very reason, it had a tiny feather at the girdle that didn't show up on the online plots. (But I am a tension setting kind of guy.)

Reputable tension setters won't set a stone like this.
There is a reason.

Here's a quote: "All types of cracks which are perpendicular to the cleavage plane and appear white and feathery are termed "feathers" or "glets" " - Diamond Grading ABC The Manual, 9th ed., pg. 103 by Verena Pagel-Theisen G.G. F.G.A.

Feather is a nice word for a crack.
They do weaken a stone.
But, how much?
How thin is too thin?
How rich is too rich?
Only God can say.

Also, you are seeking advice here.
The sellers who post here sell stones like this every day.
What do you think they are going to say, "No, don't buy these; they are going to be less durable." ???
They can't say that; they would be shooting themselves in the foot.
Also, many consumers here have bought stones like this.
What are they going to say, "My diamond is less durable, but go ahead and buy one like this anyway." ???

Unless you are Bill Gates every diamond is a compromise.
Sounds like you have a concern about durability.
So go up in clarity and take your knocks on the other Cs, or increase your budget.

You have yourself in quite a pickle.
You want no flaws near the girdle but are obviously considering stones with a clarity rating that will have just that or have flaws under the table, which nobobdy wants either.

Personally, I'd pay for a higher clarity and give up size.
I'll bet you didn't want to hear that either.

Most of the stones for sale are either going to have flaws where you don't want them, or will be priced above your budget.
The only recorse is to go down in size, color, (Never go down in cut, IMHO light performance is what it is all about.)

Or, have you considered a full-bezel setting?
I think they protect the girdle better.

 

[RockDoc]

Kenny

Your reply is so well spoken.

Of course someone selling isn''t going to shoot themselves in the foot.

A lot of this is exactly as you say. Every diamond is not cut to perfection. Some of the rough won''t let the cutter do what he wants always.

So what should a dealer/ cutter do when this happens? Throw the "seconds" into the river? This just doesn''t happen.

Very honest and ethical sellers will inform the purchaser. But there are a "TON" of guys who do not have the pride of workmanship ethic, and as such they either don''t mention it, or make light of it, saying it doesn''t matter. In some cases, blantant and intention misrepresentation happens. Such as in that thread where a seller claimed that a 58% table with a 65% depth on a round stone is "Ideal".

WIth this type of misrepresentation, most consumers who have read the forums, can figure out that this is "sugar coating", but there are a lot of details, that not every seller of diamonds either wants to disclose or really is unknowledgeable about.

A huge percentage of jewelers/sellers in the business, take the position that all the "hair splitting" isn''t necessary, and those that attempt to point out these details are ruining the business. "If a diamond looks OK, then that is all they need", is a very common opinion. "If it has a good price, that is what the customer really wants."

This approach is more often what sales people in stores tell people who are making a decision that is a very important sentinmental purchase for them.

I do wholeheartedly agree, that for most people it is a "huge" investment, in fact I take the position that if a person isn''t spending a lot for a stone, it is NO LESS important to him, and a person who does NOT have a huge budget, perhaps even more important for him.

Rockdoc