The Truth About Diamond Inclusions
Purchasing a diamond is a big decision. One of the most important things to consider are diamond flaws. Perfect stones are rare. Most stones have some flaws. The difference is whether or not the flaws affect the appearance or price of the stone. A few flaws will generally have no effect. However, more flaws lessen the perfection of the diamond, affecting the overall appearance and lowering the price.
There are many types of flaws. Some are considered internal flaws or diamond inclusions while others are considered external flaws or blemishes. Inclusion’s effect on clarity means the diamond is less brilliant, and can even look cloudy. Other flaws can affect a diamond’s strength. These types of diamond flaws could make the stone more vulnerable to shattering.
Pinpoint inclusions are small if not tiny dark or light crystals within the diamond. These either appear singularly or in clusters. If the cluster is too large, it can create a haze within the diamond, making it more difficult for light to pass through the stone. This will affect the clarity grade. Mineral inclusions and crystal inclusions are similar. Diamonds can have small mineral or crystal particles imbedded in them. Often these can only be seen with magnification. Sometimes, however, a large piece of crystal or a cluster of crystals can lower the diamond’s clarity and therefore its value.
Many types of surface blemishes can appear on a diamond. These flaws include everything from scratches and nicks to pits or holes. Sometimes, these blemishes occur naturally such as a rough surface that has not been polished. Other times, blemishes occur during the cutting process or through daily wear. Blemishes can often be removed through polishing. However, it is possible to damage the diamond or harm its value if too many blemishes are removed.
Diamond cleavage is a straight crack that forms with no feathering along the sides. While small cracks do not affect the clarity, the diamond can split apart along the cleavage if it is hit at the appropriate point. Girdle fringes, also referred to as bearding, are hair-like lines that happen around the girdle as the diamond is being cut. If there is an extensive amount of bearding, this is often polished out or the diamond is simply cut again. Feathers are cracks within the diamond that look like feathers.
Grain lines and growth lines happen when the diamond is formed through irregularities as the crystal is growing. If these lines are colorless and do not appear in mass, they will not affect the clarity of the diamond. Unlike other types of inclusions, laser lines are not natural. These thread-like lines are left from lasers used to remove darker inclusions.
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