A polished girdle refers to a diamond’s girdle—the narrow band that encircles the stone—being fully polished, smooth, and transparent rather than frosted or faceted. This means the girdle has undergone a polishing process to create a highly reflective and clear surface, free from any roughness or granularity.
Characteristics of a Polished Girdle
Smooth and Glassy Appearance – A polished girdle lacks the matte or granular texture found in bruted girdles and does not have additional facets like a faceted girdle.
Common in Step-Cut Diamonds – Emerald-cut and baguette-cut diamonds typically feature polished girdles to complement their sleek, open facet structures.
Less Common in Round Brilliant Cuts – While most brilliant-cut diamonds have faceted or slightly bruted girdles, some high-quality stones may also have polished girdles.
Advantages of a Polished Girdle
Enhances Transparency – A polished girdle allows light to pass through more efficiently, reducing light obstruction at the girdle edge.
Aesthetically Appealing – Particularly in step-cut diamonds, a polished girdle enhances the overall sleekness of the stone.
Eliminates Roughness – A fully polished girdle is less prone to accumulating dirt and oil compared to a bruted girdle.
Potential Considerations
Visibility of Inclusions – Since a polished girdle is transparent, any inclusions near the girdle may be more visible compared to a bruted or faceted girdle, which can help obscure them.
Durability – While a polished girdle itself does not weaken a diamond, it lacks the additional structural reinforcement that some faceted girdles provide.
Polished Girdle vs. Other Girdle Types
Girdle Type Description Common in
Polished Girdle Smooth, highly polished, transparent Emerald cut, baguette cut, some brilliant cuts
Faceted Girdle Small facets added to improve brilliance and minimize reflection loss Most round brilliant and fancy-cut diamonds
Bruted (Frosted) Girdle Matte, grainy, unpolished texture left from bruting process Some older or vintage diamonds
A polished girdle is a distinguishing feature in step-cut diamonds, contributing to their sleek, elegant appearance. While less common in brilliant-cut diamonds, some high-quality stones feature a polished girdle for enhanced transparency and refinement. Whether a diamond has a polished, faceted, or bruted girdle, the choice often depends on cut style, personal preference, and how the diamond interacts with light.