Stone cuts that chip more often?

[UCLABelle]

After reading the sad, Tiffany lemon post, I wonder (to all the PS experts out there) what cut diamonds are more likely to chip?

 

[chrono]

Without a doubt that anything with a girdle of very thin and under, cuts with pointy corners (like a princess cut), and stones that are set miles high above the finger. I guess one also has to consider how the diamond is worn (to the gym versus removed for all "hard" work). Even then, it's no guarantee.

 

[UCLABelle]

Hmm...I better watch out with my emerald cut...I think I will have it cleaned today, and looked at, and then will take it off for hard work...I HAVE BEEN VERY BAD AT THAT. Although, my ring is insured but still, I love it too much!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Also cuts with sharp and unprotected corners, like Princess, Heart, Pear, and Marquis.

 

[jewelerman]

In my experiance marquise shaped diamonds that have a long overly slender cut chip easily,next is princess cut.

 

[UCLABelle]

Thank you Chrono, HudsonHawlk and JewelerMan! I appreciate it...I figured while all cuts are "fair game", some must be more easily damaged.

I did go check my girdle on the GIA and Tiff cert...it is "thick", made me sleep a little better even though it is not ideal

 

[denverappraiser]

My observation has been that very thin girdles and points are, by a lot, the areas of damage. That said, I think it’s helpful to notice the behavior of the insurance companies since they are operated by some smart folks who are in the business of assessing this sort of risk.

Most of the major companies offer some sort of coverage that includes chipping of diamonds and I don’t know a single one that charges extra for stones that they consider to be especially risky even though they are well aware of the above comments about points and such (which are correct by the way). To some extent this has to do with the difficulty and expense of training underwriters and the unreliability of customer submitted appraisals to provide the required information but mostly they’ve decided that the increased risk isn’t enough to be worth the trouble to account for it. They just don''t count it as all that an important part of their risks. This is little solace for people who break diamonds but it’s useful for shoppers. Don’t sweat it too much. Buy whatever shape you like, sell the risk to your insurer and go about your life knowing that it’s now someone else’s problem.

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

 

[UCLABelle]

Thanks Neil! I really appreciate it!!!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Everything has been said and done here.

Except that cleavage happens parallel to the 8 faces of a good diamond crystal.
this link http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/2/2e/350px-Diamond_cut_history.png shows how a stone is cut from the rough.
If the stone is set so those original edge parts are exposed in say a 4 prong high setting, then the girdle better be at least slightly thick. Good knowledgable jewellers know about this and turn the stone when possible to minimize the risk.

Of course all 4 sided stones like princess cut, emerald etc are prone to this chipping because they are almost always cut from the rough this way

 

[UCLABelle]

Thanks Garry- I have learned so much over the past few days! I really need to be more careful with my ring (I was the type that wears it EVERYWHERE and gave too little attention to the fact it could chip)....