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Facts About Diamond Inclusions
Main Index
What You Should Know About Internal Diamond Flaws
Diamond inclusions are features that occur inside a stone. They are usually called flaws, because the fact that it is present means that the diamond is not flawless.
Some inclusions affect a diamond's clarity, making it less sparkling because they block light as it passes through the stone. Other more serious types of diamond inclusions can make a gemstone weak and these can be prone to breaking up.
There are extremely few perfect diamonds, and therefore as expected ones that are perfect are quite expensive. So the diamonds we buy all have minor amounts of internal and external flaws. Most jewelers advise us not to be to bother too much about diamond inclusions if they do not affect the gem's strength or seriously affect its appearance.
Types of Diamond Inclusions
Crystals and Mineral Inclusions
Regular Diamonds can have tiny crystals and impurities imbedded in them, and at times even other diamonds. Many cannot be seen with the naked eye, but when there exists large chunk or grouping of crystals that detracts from a diamond's appearance, it lowers its clarity grade, and correspondingly its value.
But there are times that a small crystal can add beauty to a diamond. Imagine a diamond with a small gem imbedded in it! This will enhance the diamond instead of diminish its value.
Pinpoint Inclusions
These are tiny light or dark crystals that appear by singularly or in groups. Larger groups of tiny pinpoints can cause the diamond to display a hazy area, called a cloud, which affects a diamond's clarity and thereby its value.
Laser Lines
Laser lines are not a natural occurrence. These smoke-like trails are left behind when lasers are used to remove dark inclusions embedded in the diamond. These man-made trails look like thin strands of thread that begin at the diamond's surface and move towards the interior of the diamond, stopping at precisely the point where the inclusion was removed.
Feathers
Feathers are cracks within the diamond that resemble feathers. When these are small they do not usually affect a diamond's durability unless they reach the surface of the stone, a place that's exposed to shocks and impact. A feather that reaches the surface in a vulnerable area leaves the diamond at risk for splitting.
Cleavage
A cleavage is a straight fissure with no feathering. A cleavage is highly dangerous for the diamond as it can split the diamond apart along its length if it is struck at the correct angle. Small cracks that are not seen when a diamond is viewed in a face up position do not down grade ratings of the diamond.
Girdle Fringes, Bearding
Girdle fringes, or bearding, are hair-like lines that can crop up around the girdle during the cutting of large diamonds. Minor bearding is usually not a problem, but extensive fringing is often polished away or done away by re-cutting the diamond again.
Grain Lines, Growth Lines
Grain lines are formed by irregular crystallization that takes place when a diamond is being created deep below the earth. Colorless grain lines do not usually affect diamond clarity unless they are concentrated in large numbers. Particularly white or colored grain lines can affect the value of a diamond by lowering a diamond's clarity grade.
Before You Buy a Diamond
When you are planning to buy a diamond, deal with a jewelry professional you know and trust, someone who can answer all of your queries about the diamonds you are interested in. The jeweler should show you each diamond under magnification, and then explain its features to you.
Inclusions are like fingerprints, a characteristic that gives us all a unique signature. Getting to know your diamond inside and out makes the stone a more prized and valued possession, and will help you identify the gem if it is ever lost or stolen. |
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