The general causes of split and shattered pits are pretty well documented. Over watering, over fertilizing, over thinning, and thinning at the wrong time seem to be identified as potential causes. But it appears that some varieties are just more susceptible than others. Of all my stone fruit varieties 'Beauty' plum tends to get shattered pits. Mainly the tips break off, which is frustrating because I always eat stone fruit from the blossom end first, because that is generally the ripest/best part of the fruit.

I'm interested in hearing about other folks experiences with split or shattered pits.

Resources:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/ENVIRON/pchsplitpit.html2

http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8047.pdf1

http://www.ent.uga.edu/peach/peachhbk/harvest/splitpit.pdf2