WHAT INCLUSIONS TO AVOID IN A DIAMOND:


No matter how gorgeous a diamond is, it's what you can't see that counts. When buying a diamond, it's important to be aware of inclusions that could damage the look and even weaken the stone. Here are some of the inclusions you should watch out for when selecting your diamond.

 


WHAT ARE DIAMOND INCLUSIONS?


Since a diamond forms under intense conditions (extreme heat and pressure) and its growth is a lengthy process (between one to three billion years), it is very rare for a diamond to emerge as flawless. In fact, the majority of diamonds have various flaws, which impact their appearance, internal makeup, clarity grade, and final cost. Diamond inclusions are classified into two categories, i. e. diamond inclusions (internal features) and blemishes (external features).


Internal diamond inclusions that expand into the diamond's surface include bearded girdle, bruise, cavity, chip, cloud, crystal, feather, grain centre, indented natural, internal graining, internal laser drilling, knot, laser drill hole, needle, pinpoint and twinning wisp. These defects may be slight or severe depending on how light passes through the stone.


Diamond blemishes (external) are limited to affecting the stone's surface. They consist of abrasion, burn marks, extra facet, lizard skin, natural, nick, pit, polish lines, rough girdle, scratches, and surface graining. These defects can occasionally be cut out or polished down for removal.



WHAT INCLUSIONS TO AVOID IN A DIAMOND?


1. DIAMOND CHIPS


Diamond chips are small, shallow openings on a diamond's surface, most frequently near the culet, girdle edge, or facet junction. They frequently result from wear and tear or accidental blows.


Diamond chips can be easily seen with the naked eye and cause long-term durability issues for a diamond. If the stone's structural integrity is compromised, the chip is more likely to expand and spread if exposed to additional blows in the future. Thus, diamond chips reduce a stone's value; such a diamond is typically offered at a discount.


When purchasing a diamond, be sure to examine it with a loupe and check for flaws by feeling the diamond's surface and edges with your finger. When purchasing old jewelry, use extra caution because older diamonds are more likely to contain chips. 

 

If you have a chipped diamond, you can have the stone expertly recut by a diamond cutter to remove the defect. The stone will have some material removed from each side by the cutter until the chip is gone. The diamond's carat weight will undoubtedly decrease, but by doing it this way, you can be sure the chip won't spread.



2. DARK CRYSTALS OR BLACK DOTS


A crystal inclusion is a diamond or mineral embedded within the stone in its natural raw form. Crystals are frequently colorless or have different shades of white; however, depending on the mineral present, they can be any color.


Dark crystals or black dots are simply areas where carbon has not crystallized on a diamond. Too many sizable black spots will be noticeable and lower the clarity grade of a diamond. Black spots are only an aesthetic flaw and do not truly threaten the structure of a diamond.


Generally, you should avoid lower-quality diamonds with dark crystals since they diminish the amount of light entering the stone, reducing the diamond's fire, brilliance, and scintillation. However, if you must choose among lower-quality diamonds with black spots, you should choose one with the spots concentrated on the sides or deep inside the stone, where they won't be as noticeable. 



3. DIAMOND FEATHER INCLUSIONS


A diamond feather inclusion is a tiny fracture within the internal structure of a diamond. Depending on your viewing point, a feather can either be virtually undetectable or catch the light and appear to be a little white feather inside of a diamond. It is rare, however; diamond feathers may also be grey or brownish in color; these variations are usually visible to the naked eye.


Long feathers can cause long-term durability issues, especially if they extend to the diamond's surface or the girdle region. Long feather inclusions make a diamond more susceptible to stress, and in the event of a heavy blow, a diamond may split along these fracture lines. Hence, large fractured diamonds typically have low clarity grades and are significantly less expensive than stones of superior quality.

 

It's also true that not all diamond feather inclusions are unattractive. Feathers, for instance, should be fine if you're purchasing a diamond in the VS or VVS clarity range, but you should still assess this on a case-by-case basis.



4. DIAMOND CAVITIES


A diamond cavity is a small, deeper angular opening formed during the polishing process when an internal inclusion is breached or dislodged from the diamond. A diamond cavity is just a hole on the diamond's surface.


A cutter can remove a diamond cavity by polishing; however, they must recut or repolish the diamond, reducing its weight to remove a cavity inclusion from the surface. As a result, many diamond cutters prefer to hold onto greater carat weight, even if it means a lower clarity grade.


As dirt and oil accumulate over time, these inclusions darken and become more visible. Also, if the cavity is sufficiently large, it threatens the stone's integrity; thus, it is recommended to avoid this.



WRAPPING UP:


Whenever you're shopping for diamonds, make sure to examine them thoroughly and avoid inclusions such as chips, dark crystals or black dots, diamond feathers, and cavities. Doing this will ensure that the diamond you're buying is of good quality. Remember – a well-crafted diamond can last you a lifetime!