In luxury jewelry, high clarity grades are important, which is why it is important to choose gemstones that are brilliant, clear, and pure. Diamonds are not only highly prized jewels, but they are also sought after gems for luxury jewelry. In addition to being one of the hardest stones, it is also extremely expensive. Although diamonds are sometimes not as clear as one might think. Diamonds can also have flaws. These flaws are called inclusions, and they exist in varying degrees. Our guide to diamond inclusions will help you to understand them better.
What Are Inclusions In A Diamond?
While clarity is an important feature of diamonds, there are diamonds with impurities within. The impurities in diamonds are called inclusions. These imperfections and impurities are caused by too much pressure and heat when forming diamonds.
Almost all kinds of diamonds have inclusions. Some are just minor inclusions that are not very visible to the human eye. These are the inclusions below 10x magnification and invisible to the naked, untrained eye.
Only diamond enthusiasts and jewelers are able to notice minor inclusions in a diamond. But diamonds with large inclusions are rendered with a low clarity grade. Thus, typically a lower market price.
What Are The Different Types Of Diamond Inclusions?
There are different types of diamond inclusions. It is essential to understand the different diamond inclusions to understand better and make an informed diamond purchase.
Pinpoint Inclusions
Pinpoint inclusions are the most common type of diamond inclusion. These are tiny black spots within or on the surface of a diamond, and it is visible in a diamond table. Diamond enthusiasts and jewelers recognize pinpoint inclusions with their naked eye by looking within the facets of a diamond.
Feather Inclusions
Contrary to its name, you cannot take feather inclusions lightly. They are a major concern because they are present from top to bottom of the diamond. The feather inclusions are very visible, and they are a big deduction from the clarity rate of a diamond. The durability of a diamond is also compromised when it has feather inclusions.
Diamond Cavities
Diamond Cavities are the least common ones. Diamonds with cavities have a hole or holes just like cavities in the teeth. If you see a diamond with cavities or holes, do not buy it because that is an industrial-grade diamond. That is not durable nor aesthetically pleasing to be used in pieces of jewelry.
Beard Inclusions
Beard inclusions or beardings are diamond inclusions that look like pieces of hair. Bearding extends from the girdle upto the surface of the diamond. When a diamond is heavily bearded, the gray and fuzzy fringe appears in its structure.
Crystal Inclusions
Crystal inclusions are forming of crystals in the internal surface of the diamond. The color of crystal inclusions depends on the type of mineral formed inside the diamond. If it is carbon, the crystal inclusions is black. If the inclusion is green then it might be garnet, and when the inclusion is green, it might be perdots.
Grain Inclusions
Grain inclusions or graning is an effect of uncontrolled and irregular crystal growth in the structure of the diamond. Gains in the internal of a diamond could look like hazy, milky, streaks or faint lines.
Indented Natural Inclusions
Indented natural inclusions are the untouched surface of a diamond during the polishing process. This kind of inclusion is mostly foun in the girdle of the diamond.
Needle Inclusions
Needle inclusions resemble beard inclusions but they are usually thicker. Needle inclusions are primarily white or transparent, and they are visible in the 10x magnification. This type of inclusion largely affects the charity of a diamond when it is scattered on the surface.
How Are Diamonds With Inclusions Graded?
Diamond labs and experts use strict guidelines in determining diamond inclusions. The location of the inclusions within the diamond, the type of inclusions present in it, and its size directly affect the clarity grade of a diamond. Here are the four guidelines that labs and gemologists use to determine the grade of a diamond.
Size Of Inclusions
The first priority of labs and gemologists is to know the size of the inclusions present in the diamond. The size of the inclusions within the diamond will largely affect its clarity grade—the bigger the inclusions, the lower the clarity grade of a diamond.
Number Of Inclusions
The next priority to the size is the number of inclusions within the diamond. Diamonds are put on a diamond table to observe their clarity. If there are more inclusions within, the diamond will have a lower grade. If it appears with fewer inclusions in the table, it can get a bit higher clarity grade.
Placement Of Inclusions
The third priority is the placement of inclusions within the diamond. There are inclusions in areas that are not visible to the naked eye. At the same time, there are the very obvious ones. When inclusions are in the bottom or pavilion of a diamond, it is very visible. Hence, it has a lower clarity grade.
Internal Or External Inclusions
The fourth priority of gemologists is to identify whether the inclusions are in the internal or external surface of a diamond. For instance, if a diamond has inclusions in its external surface but does not have any inclusions in its surface within, then it can be rendered internally flawless. The inclusions in the external surface largely affect the clarity grade of a diamond because those inclusions are very visible.
Are All Diamond Inclusions Bad?
Diamond inclusions affect the clarity grade of diamonds, but not all of them are necessarily bad. To better understand diamond inclusions, here is a list of inclusions you should avoid when purchasing diamonds.
Chips
Diamond chips are openings on the surface of a diamond. It looks like deep and shallow cuts caused by wear and tear in the forming of diamonds. Chips do not just affect the visual aspects of a diamond but also its durability. When subjected to further impacts, the chips might get bigger and spread throughout the surface of a diamond. Later on, the chips will become big cracks that will make the diamond less and less suitable for a piece of jewelry.
Dark Crystals
Dark crystal inclusions are also called dark spots. Although these spots do not affect the durability of a diamond, they directly affect the visual appeal of the stone. Large dark spots make the stone look less appealing and suitable for luxury pieces of jewelry. But there are salt and pepper diamonds with small black spots, which gives it a unique and appealing look. To say the least, dark crystal inclusions do not always look good on diamonds, and you should avoid them as much as possible if you are eyeing diamonds for luxury jewelry pieces.
Long Feathers
Long feathers are fractures in the internal surface of a diamond. Just like chips, long feathers affect the aesthetic value and durability of a diamond. Because of the obvious fractures, it is not suitable for pieces of jewelry. Diamonds with many long feathers are industrial-grade diamonds. It has a very low clarity grade. You should avoid buying diamonds with long feathers because they have low value and market appeal. They are not good investments.
Cavity
You should avoid diamonds with cavities because they have holes and deep dents that can ruin ng glamorous look of a diamond when looking through its pavilion down the bottom. While some cavities can be fixed by recutting and repolishing diamonds, they can be very expensive. Hence, it is wiser to invest in flawless diamonds.
Conclusion
The clarity and purity of diamonds are important factors that affect aesthetic and market value. That is why it is important to familiarize yourself with common flaws in diamonds and remember the kind of flaws and impurities to avoid. By doing so, you can invest in fine pieces that are worth your money and enthusiasm. Thus, you can wear fine jewelry anchored in aesthetic and durability.