new diamond vs diamond that has been set..

[wawatu]

took my diamond to the appraiser... he said he can often tell if a diamond is new or has been set before because setting the diamond will often leave a light mark on the surface of the diamond, thus affecting the polish of the diamond. is that true? will the light scratch or mark affect the grading?

thanks

 

[DiamondExpert]

A prong will not scratch the surface of a diamond with normal wear...it might cause a nick/chip (especially near the girdle/corner of a Princess) with abuse, however.

Worst case scenario, the setter burned a crown facet(s) during setting, which would cause discoloration, but a light repolishing would bring it/them back to fresh condition.

Perhaps the appraiser was referring to a decreased surface luster in the crown facets which were under the prongs...this could be from hard to remove surface dirt, but which would easily be removed with a nice acid boiling.

By the way, have you ever watched a diamond being set?...it can be like going to a slaughter house to see how your steaks are made!...sometimes not a pretty sight!

 

[wawatu]

thank you Gary.

I guess I won''t need to worry too much about it if I bring it to a reputable jeweler.
I will ask to watch the setting of the diamond on Monday.
I can''t wait to post my picture.

 

[Splinter]

If something has happened to the stone (say it''s had a big scratch put on the table) since the last certification then I imagine the next time it got graded the grade would drop. Say from a VVS1 to a VS1. This is why I look for recent certificates. If a certificate is a few years old I start to worry what has happened to the stone in that time. But then again, I''m paranoid.

 

[wawatu]

it''s always a good idea to let an appraiser double check

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/25/2008 6:43:19 AM
Author: wawatu
it''s always a good idea to let an appraiser double check

Absolutely, and considering the type of diamond you have bought

, well worth the investment!!

 

[DiamondExpert]

Splinter - a scratch would not alter the clarity grade, but would affect the polish grade. In general, your paranoia is not justified - most stones with older certs are just that - stones with older certs. They don''t have a "shelf life"...except in the mind of the consumer.

 

[Splinter]

Date: 4/25/2008 10:31:23 AM
Author: DiamondExpert
Splinter - a scratch would not alter the clarity grade, but would affect the polish grade. In general, your paranoia is not justified - most stones with older certs are just that - stones with older certs. They don''t have a ''shelf life''...except in the mind of the consumer.

Ah, so the clarity grading is for inclusions only, with external faults left to the polish? That makes sense. So what happens in the case of a diamond being chipped where an existing feather is?

 

[DiamondExpert]

It''s a bit more complicated than that...clarity characteristics are divided into inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are internal (but which may reach the surface) features, and blemishes are largely surface - a scratch which visibly indents the surface would be classified as a clarity element, but if less severe can be classified as a polish feature (polish and symmetry come under the finish grading)...one or the other, but not both - grader''s decision.

The same is true for chips, nicks & pits - it all depends on the severity whether it will be classed as clarity or polish.

 

[tberube]

Date: 4/25/2008 3:37:34 AM
Author: DiamondExpert
A prong will not scratch the surface of a diamond with normal wear...it might cause a nick/chip (especially near the girdle/corner of a Princess) with abuse, however.


Worst case scenario, the setter burned a crown facet(s) during setting, which would cause discoloration, but a light repolishing would bring it/them back to fresh condition.


Perhaps the appraiser was referring to a decreased surface luster in the crown facets which were under the prongs...this could be from hard to remove surface dirt, but which would easily be removed with a nice acid boiling.


By the way, have you ever watched a diamond being set?...it can be like going to a slaughter house to see how your steaks are made!...sometimes not a pretty sight!

that would be a fascinating thing to learn about!!

 

[Splinter]

Date: 4/25/2008 12:25:20 PM
Author: DiamondExpert
It's a bit more complicated than that...clarity characteristics are divided into inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are internal (but which may reach the surface) features, and blemishes are largely surface - a scratch which visibly indents the surface would be classified as a clarity element, but if less severe can be classified as a polish feature (polish and symmetry come under the finish grading)...one or the other, but not both - grader's decision.


The same is true for chips, nicks & pits - it all depends on the severity whether it will be classed as clarity or polish.

Thanks for clarifying, DiamondExpert. The more I learn about diamonds, the more I find out there is to learn...

And I've seen someone setting a stone, back in Cape Town. It was fascinating to watch, but I cringed every time he filed anything near the stone.

tberube: Here's a clip I found of the process. I can't say if the jeweller is any good (and I'll not make comments on his choice of music) but it's really interesting. Diamond being set

 

[DiamondExpert]

Nice clip!

 

[wawatu]

thanks for the clip

 

[wawatu]

btw, my braned new diamond arrived in a box with a "not a ring" clasp ring that was holding the diamond up. i brought that to the appraiser, the appraiser assistant says the clasp is rather sharp and could easily scratch the diamond itself. do you think she''s being ignorant or too careful? or should vendors stop using those

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s so hard to find good help these days.

No, a ring clip will not scratch a diamond.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 4/26/2008 3:03:41 AM
Author: wawatu
btw, my braned new diamond arrived in a box with a ''not a ring'' clasp ring that was holding the diamond up. i brought that to the appraiser, the appraiser assistant says the clasp is rather sharp and could easily scratch the diamond itself. do you think she''s being ignorant or too careful? or should vendors stop using those

They wont scratch it however they have been known too chip a diamond if used on a diamond that has durability issues.
Snap them too hard over a vulnerable spot and a chip can result.