What is a Bearded Diamond Girdle?

A bearded girdle is actually a common impairment that occurs to a piece of diamond jewelry that has been worn for many years. What happens is that the edges of the diamond, otherwise referred to as a girdle, become chipped away due to normal wear and tear. You could easily check if the edges of your diamond have become bearded by running your fingernails along your diamond's edges. The diamond surface should feel smooth to the touch, so if you feel small indentations as you go along, it most probably means that your diamond has "grown a beard". Due to the fact that this is a normal side effect that happens over the years, most insurance companies will actually cover the replacement costs of your diamond and provide you a brand new one instead. The alternative option of fixing a bearded girdle is to have your diamond recut and repolished. However, you should be aware of the fact that recutting your diamond will probably mean losing about 20 percent (or more) from your diamond's value and weight! The fact that a recutting service doesn't come quick or fast also means that this option is not the most favorable one. Keep in mind that if you do decide to recut your diamond, you must also think about amending the mounting settings of your diamond to suit your smaller sized diamond. The best option will be to contact your insurance company to make a claim. If they refuse to change the diamond for you, its advised that you upgrade your diamond for a better one or simply live with what you've got rather than going ahead and recutting your diamond.

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