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What are Diamond Inclusions?
The difference between Inclusions and Blemishes
Inclusions are flaws or
imperfections in diamonds consisting of:
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A
defect within the crystalline surface of a diamond which are called
inclusions
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An abrasion or scratch on the surface of a diamond which are called
blemishes
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Laser lines generated during diamond enhancement procedures are also
considered as inclusions
Inclusions are natural imperfections and often referred to as 'nature’s
fingerprints'. Some diamonds can have tiny crystals and minerals
imbedded in them including other diamonds or even other gemstones.
However, the majority of inclusions cannot be seen by the human eye.
What causes Diamond Inclusions
or Blemishes?
Some inclusions are
caused by crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal.
Other inclusions are caused by flaws in the structure of the diamond
such as tiny cracks. Blemishes are flaws on the exterior surface
of a diamond. These exterior blemishes are often the result of the
cutting and polishing process.
What are the
effects of Inclusions?
What are the effects
on the quality, clarity and value of a diamond?
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Inclusions interfere with light passing through the diamond and the
stones ability to scatter and transmit light
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The fewer inclusions a diamond has the more brilliant, rare and
valuable it is
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Diamonds which contain numerous inclusions are less brilliant and
less valuable
-
A
diamond's resistance to fracture is decreased if cracks are close to
or breaking the surface of the diamond
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Some inclusions can make a gemstone vulnerable to shattering
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Only 20% of all diamonds mined have a clarity rating high enough for
the diamond to be considered appropriate for use as a gemstone
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Approximately 80% of all diamonds mined are relegated to industrial
use
What do Diamond Inclusions
look like?
The vast majority of
inclusions cannot be seen by the human eye. They are located by a
jeweller when viewed from above under a 10X magnification.
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Minute cracks can often appear whitish or cloudy and could
occasionally cause the diamond to split
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Inclusions can be tiny colored spots including white, black, red or
green
Inclusions and
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond
describes the presence or absence of inclusions within the diamond and
any blemishes on its surface. Diamond Clarity is one of the 4 C s of
diamond grading (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight). The numbers, sizes, colors, locations and
visibility of inclusions and blemishes can effect the relative clarity
of a diamond. Systems have been developed to grade clarity. Diamonds are
graded for clarity on a scale ranging from flawless to imperfect. For
additional information regarding diamond clarity please click the
following link:
Diamond Clarity
Different Types of Inclusions
There are basically two
categories of inclusions found in natural diamonds. Syngenetic
inclusions formed at the same time as the diamond and Epigenetic
inclusions formed afterwards. The names and descriptions of the
different types of inclusions and blemishes, which affect a diamond's
clarity to varying degrees are detailed below:
Inclusion
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Bearding - Stress hair-like lines sometimes occurring during the
cutting of a diamond
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Carbon Spots: Black spots inside the clear diamond
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Cavity - A large or deep opening in the diamond
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Cleavage - A straight crack with no feathering
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Cloud - A group of minute white inclusions resulting in a milky or
cloudy appearance
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Feather - A separation due to either cleavage or fracture which is
often white and feathery in appearance
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Internal graining - Irregular crystal growth which may appear milky,
like faint lines or streaks, or may be colored or reflective
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Knot
- An included diamond crystal which reaches the surface of a
polished diamond
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Laser Lines - Vapor-like trails left behind when lasers are used to
remove dark inclusions from a diamond
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Pinpoints - Minute spots internal to a diamond. A cluster of
pinpoints can form a cloud
Blemishes
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Scratches - A fine white line, curved or straight
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Fracture - A crack on the surface of the stone
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Nicks - A chip near the girdle or a facet edge
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Pits
- A minute opening resembling a white dot
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Polish lines - Minute lines caused during this process
Clouds -
Feathers - Knots - Cavities - Cleavage - Bearding - Internal graining -
Blemishes
Polish lines - Grain boundaries - Scratches - Nicks - Pits
Diamond Inclusions
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