WHAT ARE DIAMOND "INCLUSIONS"?

A lot of great questions of late.  The simplest answer is that an inclusion is "anything" visible on the interior or exterior of a Diamond (or other gemstone).  In a "Perfect" Diamond there is no trace of color.  It is, in fact, colorless.  There are no blemishes of any kind whatsoever on the exterior of the diamond.  Not even microscopically.  The same for the interior of the Diamond.  Flawless - not even a microscopic blip.

Unfortunately 99.99% of all diamonds have some flaw, some blemish, some spot.  These are known, overall, as "Inclusions."  Identification of the type of inclusion and its impact on the "Perfectness" of the gemstone is the basis for determining the Clarity of the gem.  There are many, many types of inclusions.  Below are the most common:

• Crystals and Mineral Inclusions 

Diamonds can have tiny crystals and minerals embedded in them. A diamond can even be embedded with other diamonds. Many of these crystals cannot be seen without magnification, but a large chunk or grouping of crystals that detracts from a diamond's appearance lowers its clarity grade and its value.
There are times that a small crystal can add character to a diamond. A diamond with a tiny garnet inside would be a conversation piece—and an excellent personal choice for someone whose birthstone is garnet.

• Pinpoint Inclusions 

Pinpoints are extremely small light or dark crystals in diamonds that can either appear by themselves or in clusters. Larger clusters of minute pinpoints can create a hazy area in the diamond called a cloud which will affect the diamond's clarity rating.

• Laser Lines 

Laser lines are not a natural diamond inclusion. These vapor-like trails are left behind when lasers are used to remove dark crystal inclusions from the diamond. The machine-made trails look like tiny strands of thread that begin at the diamond's surface and stretch inward, stopping at the point where the inclusion was removed.

• Feathers 

Feathers are cracks within the diamond that resemble feathers. Small feathers do not usually affect a diamond's durability unless they reach the surface on the top of the stone, a location that's prone to accidental blows.

• Cleavage 

Diamond cleavage is a straight crack with no feathering. A cleavage has the potential to split the diamond apart along its length if it is hit at the correct angle.
Small cracks that are not visible when a diamond is viewed in a table-up (face up) position do not seriously affect clarity ratings.

• Girdle Fringes or Bearding 

Girdle fringes, or bearding, are hair-like lines that can occur around the girdle during the cutting process. Minimal bearding is usually not a problem, but extensive fringing is often polished away or removed by re-cutting the diamond.

• Grain Lines or Growth Lines 

Grain lines are created by irregular crystallization that takes place when a diamond is formed. Colorless grain lines do not usually affect diamond clarity unless they are present in large masses. White or colored grain lines can lower a diamond's clarity grade.


Don't be intimidated by inclusions.  Most buyers are looking for an eye-clean diamond that presents well in its chosen setting, and has minimal color tint.  These are the types of Diamonds most commonly purchased, and those representing the best value to the buyer.