Diamonds are well-known for their incredible hardness and durability. They are the hardest natural substances known to man. However, these stones are also prone to chipping and damage, especially, when diamonds are cut in certain ways. Hence, when getting loose diamonds for your engagement ring, you have to know about diamond shapes that are highly vulnerable to damage.
Therefore, we list some of the important things you have to consider when choosing a diamond ring:
Diamond Shapes That Are Vulnerable To Damage
Certain diamond shapes are more vulnerable to damage in comparison with others. The following are some of the important factors that can make diamonds vulnerable to damage:
Diamond Shapes With Pointed Corners
Certain diamond shapes come with pointed corners. Some of these shapes include princess, pear, marquise, and trillion cuts. Their pointed corners make these diamond shapes more prone to chipping and damage. So these diamond shapes might not be suitable for people who tend to use their hands a lot.
Jewelers usually use V-shaped claws to mount diamond shapes with vulnerable pointed corners, as this setting can give more protection for corners. However, a hard blow to these claws that hold the corners of the stone can also lead to the chipping of your diamonds.
Shapes With Exposed Culets
All diamond shapes will come to a point at the bottom, which is known as the culet. As this culet will be a sharp point, it might be susceptible to chipping. In most ring settings, the culet will be protected by the metal. However, some settings can leave the diamond’s culet exposed thereby making it prone to chipping. Be aware of such settings if you want to give better protection to your stone. When selecting a ring setting, ensure that it covers the culet of the diamond well. Additionally, if the culet is exposed, it can dig into your fingers thereby causing discomfort.
Cuts With Thin Girdles
Certain diamond cuts have thin girdles that can be highly prone to damage. Girdles are one of the most vulnerable points in a diamond, as they will be usually sharp. Be careful with princess, emerald, and trillion cut loose diamonds, as thin girdles can make them extremely vulnerable to damage.
The setting of your ring plays a significant role in offering protection to your stone. Hence, it is important for you to choose a ring setting that can protect your stone in a better way. This is especially important if you work a lot with your hands.