Variety Of The Diamond Girdle

Variety Of The Diamond Girdle

The Importance of the Girdle

Just how important is the diamond girdle anyway?

When considering that the diamond girdle is the biggest part of the diamond, one cannot overstate its importance.

The “biggest part of the diamond”? Whatchooo talkin about, Willis?

If you think about it, and if you look at the girdle relative to the rest of the diamond, you will notice that the girdle is the widest point of the diamond. The girdle is a major factor in the size of the diamond, and therefore in its beauty. The size of the Table is always stated in relation to the Girdle. The Girdle is 100% of the size of the diamond, being that it is the widest, most outer point of the diamond. So, if a Table is stated as being 63% or 66% or 54%, that is 54% relative to the 100% as determined by the Girdle.

Being that the Girdle is clearly such an important aspect of the diamond, one should try to look for a diamond that has a great girdle. The Girdle has the ability to meak or break a diamond. A great girdle can, well it won’t really make the diamond but it can definitely do it’s part in enhancing the beauty of the diamond. A lousy Girdle, a Girdle cut poorly, can cause a diamond to lose its luster and temper it’s brilliance.

So how do you find a diamond with a great Girdle? What should you look for?

Types of Girdles

There are a variety of types of Girdles, variety in both size and style.

When looking at the size of the Girdle, you will see such listing as Thin, Thick, Extremely Thick, Medium and all sorts of combinations of these sizes. You can see more details of these and what to look for in my other article on Diamond Girdles. Basically the best Girdle is sized at a Medium or a Thin to Medium. Too thick and you have to suspect the cutter made a thick Girdle just to add to the weight of the diamond. Too much of a range, like Thin to Thick, and you have to be concerned about a poor cut – the cutter couldn’t get it even. Too thin and you have to worry about it chipping.

Now let’s talk about some of the styles.

Girdle Styles

There are three basic styles of Girdle:

• Rough
• Faceted
• Polished

A Rough Girdle, or Unfaceted Girdle is a girdle that has not been touched by the bruter. It is left in its original rough state. This is considered good for the prongs to get a good grip on the stone. In addition, the bruter might leave the girdle rough in order to preserve the weight of the diamond – by cutting the girdle and polishing it, it will cause the weight of the diamond to drop a bit. This girdle is also somtimes called a Frosty Girdle because it has a miky or frosted look.

A Faceted Girdle is a girdle that has cut and polished facets all around the edge of the diamond. The idea of this is that the Girdle then looks consistent with the rest of the diamond.

A Polished Girdle is a girdle that has been olished. It is smooth, not faceted, and has a nice clean, polished, look and feel all the way around the diamond.

Obviously the polished and faceted girdles are better, fancier, and will make the diamond look better. They may also cover up flaws in the diamond that might be around the girdle area.

There is another type of Girdle you might occasionally bump into, but you are not likely to bump into it in a store. It is more likely for you to come across it when you take your own 20 year old diamond in for some clean up work. The diamond guy might tell you that your diamond has a Bearded Girdle.

A Bearded Girdle is a girdle that has been worn for many years. Over time, the edges of the diamond, the Girdle, become chipped. This happens due to normal wear and tear – bumping into things, dropping the ring, etc.  You can tell your diamond girdle is bearded by simply running your fingernail across it. If it is rough and jagged rather than smooth, it is bearded.

There is not really much to do about a Bearded Girdle. You can have it repolished, but that is going to cut into the weight, and value, of the diamond. You are better of just leaving it be, as it is not noticeable ot the eye anyway, and is generally covered by the ring setting. Your other option is to upgrade to a better diamond.

Questions? Don’t understand something someone told you about diamonds? Not sure if you should really buy that diamond? Email me at diamonds@clarityofdiamonds.com and ask!

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