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Inclusion near/on the girdle

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HeatherL

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Just a quick question, if there is a feather along the girdle of a VS1 GIA graded diamond, is this okay or something I should probably avoid.
 

Ayers

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VS1 should mean that you shouldnt be able to see it with the naked eye. Additionally if that''s the only inclusion, I think most jewelers can hide that behind the prongs.

As far as whether it weakens the diamond being at the girdle or some other red flag, I have no idea, but I wouldn''t expect it to.
 

HeatherL

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Thanks Ayers, I am not worried about seeing it, but I am worried about the durability issue, does anyone know if this would affect the stone that way.
 

coatimundi_org

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If it''s graded VS1, then it''s probably not a durability issue. That being said, I''d want to know how much of a margin there is between the feather and the edge. Can you ask the vendor?
 

HeatherL

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Thanks coatimundi, so I guess it could possibly been an issue then depending on how close it is, I will definitely find out. Thanks again.
 

John P

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Coati gives good advice. In an AGS or GIA VS1 I doubt it will be any sort of issue. Large/significant feathers can cause a diamond to drop to I1 clarity or lower if they threaten durability. Examination by a knowledgable expert can provide a definite answer.

The notion that a feather is a ticking time bomb sometimes goes around (possibly perpetuated by those trying to convert buyers to higher clarities
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). Just remember that when the diamond was sawed, bruted and polished it underwent enormous pressure. Diamonds are subject to enough friction that they turn white-hot on the polishing wheel. Normal wear will not even come close to what they have already been through.

With that said, every diamond has natural cleavage planes. A knock the wrong way, especially at the girdle, can cause any diamond to chip or incur damage, whether there's a feather there or not. This is why having a good insurance policy is important for even the most flawless diamond.
 

Richard Sherwood

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I would put a VS1 feather in the 99.7% range of probability of not being a problem. Give or take.


The 0.03% possibility of being a problem is easily remedied by a good diamond setter and insurance.
 

HeatherL

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Thanks guys, this makes me feel much better!
 

John P

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Date: 2/1/2009 4:19:53 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood
I would put a VS1 feather in the 99.7% range of probability of not being a problem. Give or take.
I don''t know Rich...my notes say 99.682.
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