If you are looking for the perfect diamond, clarity is an essential factor you’ll consider. A key characteristic of diamond clarity is inclusions.
What Are Diamond Inclusions?
Diamond inclusions are tiny imperfections within the gemstone formed due to the extreme heat and pressure experienced by carbon as it transforms into diamonds.
Inclusion-free or flawless diamonds are rare. However, you can fail to notice imperfections if you look for them with the naked eye. One often needs 10× magnification to spot them. Such imperfections don’t affect the diamond’s clarity. However, large inclusions can lower the diamond’s clarity grade, making it less valuable.
Types of Diamond Inclusions
Here are some types of diamond inclusions:
- Pinpoint inclusions: These inclusions are the most common diamond imperfections. They are tiny black spots on the diamond’s table.
- Diamond cavities: These inclusions are rare, but they lower the diamond’s quality significantly. Cavities are small holes in diamonds. Diamonds with cavities are essential components for making industrial tools like drill bits.
- Feather inclusions: These imperfections are the second most common inclusions. They are tiny fractures or cracks on the diamond’s surface or inside it. Cracks on the diamond’s surface can compromise the gem’s durability.
How Gemologists Grade Inclusions in Diamonds
Independent certifying labs like GIA and AGSL use these criteria to identify diamond inclusions:
Size
Gemologists check each inclusion’s size. Bigger inclusions lower the gem’s grade more than smaller imperfections.
Visibility
As visible imperfections increase, the diamond’s clarity reduces.
Location
Gemologists check the inclusions’ locations. They determine whether they are located inside the gemstone or on its surface. Since we grade diamonds from top to bottom, an imperfection on the pavilion or bottom is less likely to decrease the gem’s clarity grade.
Internal or External Inclusions
Gemologists determine if a diamond has internal or external inclusions. Diamonds with external imperfections only are pretty valuable and internally flawless.
Contact Sandberg Jewelers to discover more about diamond inclusions and how they affect a diamond’s clarity grade and value.