But to express the degree of wear we resort to describing the chip. On the list of "grades," each "grade" is followed by a description of the chip so that we know the meaning of the "grade." Maybe "condition" would be preferable to either "description" or "grade."

Whatever we call it, I agree that it would be wise to agree on one standard. Using the terms used in that standard can always be suplemented with specific details, for example, "small rim nick at 2 o'clock."

Kerry