Why am I seeing a white pin point in the center?

[geeners09]

Hello,

I was hoping someone could educate me:

I have a loose 2ct, 8mm round brilliant diamond in G color. When I hold it up to a light, I can see a white pinpoint right in the center, as if material is missing. Does this mean it's a bad cut? Otherwise I don't really notice anything like fish-eyes or nail-heads.

Thank you!

 

[solgen]

Could be the culet?

 

[D_]

Or an inclusion.
Would it be possible for you to post photo to illustrate what you mean?

 

[ecf8503]

Sounds like the culet could be faceted. Please post the report.

 

[Rockinruby]

I agree with the other posters. Post more info & pics and people can probably help you more with your questions.

 

[geeners09]

Thank you all. Unfortunately, I do not have a report or appraisal yet as it's an inheritance from my grandmother. I haven't been successful in taking a picture because I have to hold it against a light and the camera can't focus. But literally, it looks like a white dot of light in the middle (not inclusion-like). Most probably, it is the culet.

Do you think this will be a problem after I set it? Thanks

 

[Lookinagain]

Does it look like this? If so that spot you see is the culet.

 

[geeners09]

Yes! So mine is most likely due to the culet as well. Does it bother you? Is it noticeable in your setting from a normal distance?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is a characteristic of Old European Cut and Transitional cut diamonds. It is just part of their beauty and character, and you are very fortunate to have inherited an old cut diamond! Some are large enough to see at normal viewing distance and some are not. It is not negative in any way as far as old cut diamond lovers are concerned.

 

[MarionC]

The open culet is one of the things that makes the old cuts so beautiful! I hope you can get a photo for us - it sounds as though you have inherited a treasure in more ways than one.

 

[Rockinruby]

I agree, it sounds like the culet. Hope you can get some pics soon, but either way it sounds like a special family stone!

 

[JDDN]

Hm, I'm interested to see a picture as well. OP stated in her first post that it is a round brilliant. But if it was inherited from her grandmother and the culet is visible, it does sound like it's an old cut!

 

[geeners09]

I'm actually not sure what cut it is, I just assumed it was round brilliant. Didn't know about old cuts! I've noticed it looks a lot more opaque in pics than it does in real life Is this because of inclusions? At jewlery stores I'm always amazed because their diamonds looks like mirrors.

 

[ecf8503]

I would take it in to a jewelry store (not a mall store though) and have it steam cleaned. Then have it inspected - start with verifying it is actually a diamond. Then ask them to look at it with a loupe and tell you if it is included, has very strong fluoresence, what color it may be, and what cut style it is.

 

[geeners09]

I will do that soon! Thanks everyone for your advice. I've posted some pics in better lighting. Since it was my grandmother's, obviously it is more sentimental to me than any random diamond. I will cherish it even if it's not the best cut/quality.

 

[Rockinruby]

I will do that soon! Thanks everyone for your advice. I've posted some pics in better lighting. Since it was my grandmother's, obviously it is more sentimental to me than any random diamond. I will cherish it even if it's not the best cut/quality.

Geeners, it's a very pretty stone especially since it came from your grandmother! I think it's wonderful to have something personal from a beloved family member. I agree it would be a good idea to take it in to a reputable jeweler and see what you have.

 

[JDDN]

It's really pretty and it's so special since it was your grandmothers. Looks kind of like a transitional cut.

You can call around to reputable jewelers (not a mall jewelry store) to see if they have expertise in old cuts. Or if you can't find any who do, you can always call around for an appraiser who does.

Let us know and of course we'd love to see what you do with it!

 

[WinkHPD]

Thank you all. Unfortunately, I do not have a report or appraisal yet as it's an inheritance from my grandmother. I haven't been successful in taking a picture because I have to hold it against a light and the camera can't focus. But literally, it looks like a white dot of light in the middle (not inclusion-like). Most probably, it is the culet.

Do you think this will be a problem after I set it? Thanks

Many, if not most of the older stones had a small, or larger, flat facet parallel with the table called a culet. This was done intentionally in the days when I entered the trade. even in the modern round brilliant cuts. It, in essence is a tiny window, allowing light to enter the table and pass right through at the culet, or enter at the culet and pass through the table as it does when you hold the diamond up to a light.

That is what it sounds like to me.

Wink