Which statement about girdle thickness is false?

• A. Girdle thickness is expressed as a percentage of average girdle diameter.
• B. A girdle should be thick enough to negate the risk of chipping.
• C. Thick girdles add weight but do not necessarily increase visual appeal.
• D. Girdle thickness has no impact on weight.

Answer: (D)

Girdle thickness is a profile measurement that describes how thick the edge around the diamond is, expressed as a percentage of the average girdle diameter. This thickness matters because it contributes to the stone’s total weight: a thicker girdle adds carat weight, even if the face-up size looks similar. It also can influence durability and how the stone appears from the side; a noticeably thick girdle may affect the girdle’s visibility and light performance, so thickness does not automatically translate to better aesthetics. The idea that girdle thickness has no impact on weight isn’t correct; as thickness increases, so does the weight. The statement about preventing chipping by making the girdle thicker isn’t a guaranteed rule, since durability depends on multiple factors and excessive thickness can trade off weight and appearance. The other two points—thickness expressed as a percentage of diameter and its potential to add weight without necessarily improving visual appeal—are accurate reflections of how girdle thickness is understood in practice.