• Jewelry Fashion
  • Shopping & Selling Tips
  • Jewelry Care
  • Gemstones
  • Metals
  • Materials
  • Jewelry Basics

Home » Jewelry Cleaning & Care Tips »

How to Prevent Your Diamond from Chipping or Cracking

You’ve spent a lot of money on a diamond and the last thing you want is for it to chip. How can you prevent this, and are there any signs that your diamond is at risk of damage? Let’s see what you should watch out for.

Check Your Prongs

One of the most common reasons diamonds chip is that the prongs holding them in the setting are bent or broken.

Diamond in hand

Once damaged, a stone can be easily nicked or cracked again if you hit it.

Even when only one prong is damaged, your diamond is no longer held securely in its mounting.

If you happen to hit your ring somewhere, for example, the part of the stone where the prong is out of alignment would not be protected and the diamond can easily chip when bumped.

That’s why you should always have your prongs repaired as soon as you notice any damage to them.

Be Careful With Tension Settings

There are some settings that pose a higher risk to the stones mounted in them than others.

A good example is the tension setting, in which the diamond is held in place by the two ends of the ring that press tightly against the stone’s sides.

The first problem with this mounting is that it exerts pressure on the diamond, and you have to be careful not to bump your ring or the stone may chip in the setting.

If you are going to have your diamond set in this type of setting, be aware that sometimes stones may also get chipped when mounted in rings with such a design.

The second problem with tension settings is that they leave a good portion of the diamond exposed to hits that may be damaging. So, if you have a ring with this kind of mounting or you’re planning on getting one, be very careful with it.

Avoid Diamonds with Lots of Inclusions

Nobody likes heavily included diamonds – not only are these stones not the best visual treat, but they are also more prone to chipping and cracking. The more internal flaws a diamond has and the bigger they are, the weaker its internal structure is.

In general, stay away from diamonds whose clarity is graded I2 or I3 on the scale of the G.I.A. (Gemological Institute of America) – the inclusions in those stones can sometimes threaten their integrity.

Handle Chipped Diamonds with Care

If your diamond has already been chipped, you should be extra careful with it. Once damaged, a stone can be more easily nicked or cracked a second time if you hit it where it is already vulnerable.

Examine your diamond by using a loupe or by touching it to see if you can detect any chips. If your stone is damaged, handle it with care.

It is best if such a diamond can be set in a mounting that covers the damaged place and protects it.

Secure Diamonds with Thin Edges

Round diamonds with thin girdles (this is how the edge of the stone is called) are also at risk of chipping as the edges of these stones are very vulnerable.

If you have such a diamond, you should try to have it set in a mounting that protects the stone’s girdle well.

In a similar way, there are stones that are more prone to chipping simply because of the shape they are cut in.

Typical examples of such stones are trillion and marquise cut diamonds, which have sharp edges and points that can make these stones chip more easily at their ends.

In general, have such shapes set in a mounting that can adequately protect their edges – a V-prong setting is a good solution.

Disclosure: Some of the links on our site may help us earn affiliate commissions from advertisers. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Read Next

  • How to Insure Your Diamond Jewelry
  • Should You Always Choose Gemstones of Higher Clarity?
  • Single-Cut vs. Full-Cut Diamonds: What Is the Difference?
More: Diamonds Gemstones


Related Articles
  • White gold ring with white diamonds
    How to Prevent Your White Gold from Losing Its Color
  • And yellow tulip
    Can You Prevent Your Pearls from Turning Yellow?
  • Silver ring with reflection isolated on white
    Can You Prevent Silver from Tarnishing?
  • Woman with a ring - jewelry and personality
    What Your Jewelry Reveals About Your Personality
Additional Resources
  • What do you mean diamonds can chip?!
  • My Diamond Has A Chip In It! Here’s what you can do to fix it

Popular Topics
• Rings
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Diamonds
• Pearls
• Gemstones
• Gold Jewelry
• Silver Jewelry
• Platinum Jewelry

  • More Jewelry Topics
    • What Opal Is a Symbol Of
    • The Symbolism of Turquoise Around the World
    • How to Clean and Care for Fancy-Color Diamonds
    • Should Your Diamond Have a Laser Inscription?
    • How to Find Tourmaline in the U.S.
    • How Cubic Zirconia Is Different from Diamond
    • What Is a Cocktail Ring and Should You Buy One?
    • Why Your Diamond Should Be Graded Loose
    • How to Clean and Care for Your Onyx Jewelry
    • How to Choose an Emerald Cut Diamond



 
  • The Magazine
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
  • Categories
    • Jewelry Fashion
    • Shopping & Selling Tips
    • Jewelry Care
    • Gemstones
    • Metals
    • Materials
    • Jewelry Basics
  • Topics
    • Diamond Cut Quality Guide
    • Rings
    • Necklaces
    • Bracelets
    • Earrings
    • Diamonds
    • Pearls
    • Gemstones
    • Gold Jewelry
    • Silver Jewelry
    • Platinum Jewelry
  • Connect with Us
    Connect with Jewelry Notes via FacebookConnect with Jewelry Notes via Twitter

 
Copyright © 2012-2025 Jewelry Notes
All rights reserved.
13420839
Jewelry NotesLogo Header Menu
  • Jewelry Fashion
  • Shopping & Selling Tips
  • Jewelry Care
  • Gemstones
  • Metals
  • Materials
  • Jewelry Basics