When looking for a diamond, there are many things to take into consideration; so much so that the choice and information can become overwhelming. The four C’s is a great guideline for the most basic and important factors of a diamond, however, there are many other technical terms used in the industry. This article will discuss the girdle and its importance in your diamond selection.
What is the girdle and how is it graded?
The girdle is the edge of the diamond. The purpose of the girdle is to protect the edge of the stone from chipping. Its measurements are presented as either a worded description or a percentage. Like many other of the features of a diamond, labels are used to rate the diamond ranging from Extremely Thin, Very Thin, Thin, Medium, Slightly Thick, Thick, Very Thick, Extremely Thick, Faceted, Smooth to Polished. The girdle can also be presented as a number, for example, 0.7% thin or 3.0% thick. The grade of a diamond’s girdle is determined by the appearance of the girdle at its thinnest point and thickest point.
What is important to know about the girdle?
If the girdle is too thin, then it does not give enough protection. However, if the girdle is too thick then it affects the appearance of the stone. Therefore the most recommended girdle when purchasing a diamond is from Thin to Thick. If the girdle has Extremely Thin or Very Thin areas then it is advised against setting them in exposed areas in rings as thin parts could be at more risk of chipping during setting. Furthermore, for diamonds which have Extremely, Very Thin, or even Thin areas on pointy ends, there is a higher risk of damage during prong setting.
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