Which is more prone to getting chipped?

[Brown Sugar]

A quick question:

Which shape diamond is more prone to getting chipped- a round or princess cut?
I would assume it would be the princess, as the 90 degree angles would make it more fragile. My friend actually had a princess cut engagement ring whose corners were under prongs, but to our horror and amazement (mainly horror

), the diamond cleaved under one of the prongs, a few months after she got the ring!! I was initially leaning towards getting a princess cut ring, but after this incident I''m pretty much set on a round. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[jaz464]

Anything with sharp corners like a princess, pear, or marquise is much more prone to chipping than a rounded shape.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Yes pointy corners are a risk at setting time and also later on.
But diamond has 4 very easy cleavage directions - they are along the directions of almost all square / rectangular stones - but harder to find with rounds and other shapes (naturals on girdles are a good clue).

Any diamond in a 4 prong seting is more vunerable than a 6 or 8 or rubbed in setting.
All thiner girdles and shallower crown angles are also vunerable.

Jewellers who look find a lot of very small chips on diamonds just on or below the girdle.

 

[He Scores]

The experts on here all gave excellent advice on diamonds chipping. One of the biggest factors affecting whether a diamond is prone to chipping is the attitude of the wearer.

People think that since "diamond is nature''s hardest substance" that it is pretty much invunerable, but this isn''t the truth.

Diamond is hard for it''s grinding property. It will wear through anything. However, it is "relatively" brittle.

Diamond jewelry shouldn''t be worn to do heaving lifting, playing football with the boys, gardening, moving furniture or house cleaning. Diamonds shouldn''t be tapped on the table when you play cards, and definately diamonds shouldn''t be used to scratch glass to show friends and family that it''s really a diamond. Wearing a diamond carelessly and recklessly is a much of a risk factor as some of the physical properties of the stone.

If most people who wear diamonds are aware that diamonds aren''t indestructable and wear them with relatively care they should be ok.

oh...and yes....get them insured, just like you do your car or house.


Bill

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Well said Bill.

I have an example of a pretty petite lady like lass who looks as gentle and meek as a kiten.
But boy is she rough on her jewels!!!

On the positive note though - diamonds never ever sratch.
It is very very rare to see a diamond that has been worn every day for +100 years that has any scratches.
And if the stone has a decent girdle and has been in a relatively protected setting - then it will look the same as it did the day it came off the polishers wheel