Will these feathers be a durability issue?

[Suse_13]

I'm looking at a 0.9c ideal cut diamond with VS2 clarity.

It has a number of small feathers in the centre of the table - i've attached an image of the diagram below.

Based on the size and positioning, do you think they will increase the risk of fracturing/chipping the diamond over time?

I am always knocking my current diamond on everything, so I'd want to be sure this one could stand up to my clumsiness!

Thanks so much

 

[John P]

VS2 clarity.

A VS feather won't be a concern if graded by a top lab. Finished diamonds were subjected to more intense heat and pressure during sawing, bruting, blocking & polishing than they'll ever see again in normal wear. To that end, a strict lab will place a diamond with a realistic durability risk posed by clarity into their I2 or I3 grade.

You say you knock your diamond against things sometimes. Do remember that every diamond has cleavage planes as part of its crystal structure. Although they are the hardest natural substance a knock the wrong way, particularly at the girdle, can cause even the most flawless diamond to chip. This goes for any diamond and is why having a good insurance policy is wise.

 

[Suse_13]

Thanks for the reply.

I have the option of buying this diamond, or another with graining (VVS2) but that is 0.1mm smaller in diameter, as it has a slightly deeper cut.

The difference in sizes between these two is quite small, so would it make sense to buy the slightly smaller stone with graining over the VS2 feather stone? Or should I just maximise size?

 

[Christina...]

At the vvs2 range neither diamond will have durability or eye clean issues so I would maximize size....but only if all else is equal. Have you determined the cut quality of these two stones? Determinig which was the better performer would be of more importance to me.

 

[Suse_13]

Yes, using the HCA tool on PS, the VVS2, grained, smaller diamond returned 1.5, and the VS2 feather was 1.7.

They are the same colour and carat weight, both GIA ideal cuts

 

[John P]

At the vvs2 range neither diamond will have durability or eye clean issues so I would maximize size....but only if all else is equal. Have you determined the cut quality of these two stones? Determinig which was the better performer would be of more importance to me.

+1

Yes, using the HCA tool on PS, the VVS2, grained, smaller diamond returned 1.5, and the VS2 feather was 1.7.

1. The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. 1.5 is not "better" than 1.7. Having scores under 2 means both are worthy of further investigation, but the HCA is not foolproof. It merely conceives a 'chalk-outline' of the diamond and says "yeah, this looks like it may have nice light return if many other details are all in-order."

They are the same colour and carat weight, both GIA ideal cuts

GIA does not issue the grade "ideal." Their top grade is Excellent. With the HCA indications it sounds like both the diamonds may be GIA EX; depending on finish, brillianteering and other incidentals. However there are factors beyond what appears on the grading report which impact diamond performance.

 

[Suse_13]

I'm really just after advice about the size/feather issue.

Both are GIA excellent cuts, and I am perfectly happy with that. The cut isn't the issue, as I have gotten the best I can afford.

I'm really only wanting opinions about the feather/graining issue, as the diamonds are very similar in all other aspects.