Inclusion Descriptions
Pinpoints
Pinpoints are tiny light or dark crystals that appear by
themselves or in clusters. Larger clusters of minute pinpoints can create
a hazy area, called a cloud, which can detract from a diamond's clarity.
Laser Lines
Laser lines are not a
natural inclusion. These vapor- like trails are left behind when
lasers are used to remove dark inclusions from the diamond. The
machine-made trails look like tiny strands of thread that begin
at the diamond's surface and stretch inward to the point where
the inclusion was removed. |
Feathers
Feathers are cracks within a stone that resemble feathers.
Small feathers do not usually affect a diamond's durability unless they
penetrate the surface on the top of the stone. A feather that breaks
through the surface in a vulnerable area increases the risk of breaking
the stone.
Girdle Fringes, Bearding
 Girdle
fringes, or bearding, are stress hair-like lines that can occur
around the girdle during the cutting process. Minimal bearding
is usually not a problem, but extensive fringing can often be polished
away or removed by recutting the diamond. |
Cleavage
A cleavage is a straight crack with no feathering. A cleavage
has the potential to split the diamond apart if it is hit at the
correct angle.
Graining Lines, Growth Lines
Graining lines are created by irregular crystallization that
takes place when the diamond is formed. Colorless graining lines do not
usually affect diamond clarity unless they are present in large masses.
White or colored graining lines can lower a diamond's clarity grade.
Inclusions are like fingerprints, a characteristic that
gives us all a special signature. Getting to know your diamond inside
and out makes the stone a more personal possession.