A chip (Ch) is defined as ...

A chip (Ch) is defined as ...

• A. A shallow opening caused by damage to the stone's surface; typically occurs at a girdle edge, facet junction, or culet.
• B. A deep crack that runs through the entire diamond from pavilion to crown.
• C. A type of optical illusion seen in certain lighting conditions.
• D. A tool used to trim the girdle during cutting.

Answer: (B)

A chip is a small, shallow opening on the diamond’s surface caused by an impact. It’s a surface flaw, often showing up near the girdle edge, at facet junctions, or at the culet. This distinguishes it from a crack or fracture that runs through the stone, which would be a deeper, internal flaw rather than a surface chip. The other ideas—something that is a through-crack, an optical illusion, or a tool for trimming—don’t describe a surface damage feature of the diamond. So the best understanding is that a chip represents minor surface damage from impact, not a full-thickness crack.

A chip is a small, shallow opening on the diamond’s surface caused by an impact. It’s a surface flaw, often showing up near the girdle edge, at facet junctions, or at the culet. This distinguishes it from a crack or fracture that runs through the stone, which would be a deeper, internal flaw rather than a surface chip. The other ideas—something that is a through-crack, an optical illusion, or a tool for trimming—don’t describe a surface damage feature of the diamond. So the best understanding is that a chip represents minor surface damage from impact, not a full-thickness crack.