Can a Diamond Break When Resetting?

Diamonds are admired for their beauty as well as their hardness.

Diamonds are more than just lovely gemstones--they are the hardest natural substance we know of. While it is uncommon for a diamond to break while being reset, it does happen occasionally.

Misidenification

Clean diamonds reflect a lot of light; the sparkle can also mask inclusions.

If you've had a diamond reset and suddenly see a line in your stone, you're probably seeing an inclusion for the first time. Inclusions are bits of other material that were in the crystal as it formed. The original setting of the stone may have masked the flaw.

Identification

You can immediately identify most broken diamonds with the naked eye. You will be able to see two distinct pieces: One piece will look like a proper diamond, and the other piece will look salt-like.

Prevention/Solution

To prevent your diamond from breaking while being reset, deal with a master jeweler. Older diamonds were cut and set with different technologies than today. Explain the importance of an heirloom to your jeweler. A good jeweler will take time selecting a new setting with you and discuss any risk in the resetting process.

References

• Geological Sciences, Cal Poly Pomona: Mineral Hardness
• How to Tell If My Diamond is Cracked

Resources

• Diamond Repair