OEC Chipped! Why did this happen?

[Fashionvictim]

I have a 1920's OEC that I recently had reset in a cathedral setting. It is 1.04 carats.

I noticed it has a new chip on the girdle. It has an older one that is now covered by a prong.

I am very very upset. How did this happen? I am very careful when I wear it, but it seems this diamond is almost brittle.

I just spend $500 on this new setting, but now I see it needs a bezel.

Anyone have any thoughts? I am dizzy I am so upset by this.

 

[elliemay]

Oh no! It sounds like it has a very thin girdle (more common in old cuts, as I understand it) -- that combined with it being high up in a cathedral setting will mean that it's more susceptible to damage.

If you're particularly hard on your rings, you might want to look at some bezel settings,or at least some very low settings.

 

[Pandora II]

Diamonds are hard - a 10 on the Mohs Scale - but that only measures the resistance against scratching. Diamonds are not very tough and it's relatively easy to chip them. If you hit them in just the wrong place you can also end up with 2 diamonds as they have perfect cleavage.

Old cuts also often have much thinner girdles which doesn't help.

This is why diamonds shouldn't really be worn 24/7 or worn while gardening etc.

 

[aljdewey]

FV, you can minimize likelihood of further chipping if you consider resetting in a more protective mounting. Many old cuts were bead- or bezel-set to avoid that type of damage.

 

[Fashionvictim]

It's funny I only wear the ring a few days a week and never when I'm using my hands.

I just don't get it. I called the jewelry store, I have to have it re-set.

 

[swingirl]

I have an OEC in it's original setting. The stone is set with prongs/beads but it is recessed so that the girdle is not exposed (a very common setting(my avatar) from the 1910's-20's). Exposing these old stones in tiffany or cathedral-type settings my not be the best idea if you have a thin girdle, especially if you have a 4 prong setting which exposes more girdle than a 6 prong.

Sorry about the chip and I hope you can get it reset in something more protective.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well that sucks. It is part of wearing old cuts, or any diamond I guess, that such things can happen. A protective setting and insurance are good plans of action.

 

[Fashionvictim]

I really wish that the jeweler told me when I selected the cathedral setting. I'll be putting it in a bezel. So upsetting.

 

[mrssalvo]

Yes, my OEC was in a 6 prong (before I found PS and didn't know better) and got chipped as well. They usually have ex. thin girdles and are prone to chipping, no matter how careful you are. Glad you can reset into something safer though!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

You could have the girdle faceted/polished. It is not very expensive and would make the girdle safer.

Your jeweler may not have known any better, if he is not used to old stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You could have the girdle faceted/polished. It is not very expensive and would make the girdle safer.

Your jeweler may not have known any better, if he is not used to old stones.

Ditto. You definitely could do this and I probably would even if I was changing to a bezel just so the chips could be gone!