The low-down on diamond inclusions

Everybody wants the perfect diamond! Unfortunately, it is extremely rare to find a diamond which does not exhibit any imperfections.  Diamond inclusions are characteristics which exist inside a stone. They are most commonly referred to as flaws, because their presence creates a diamond which is not perfect.   Perfect diamonds are available, but at a high price.  Many of us will look at purchasing diamonds with varying types or numbers of both external and internal flaws.

Inclusions are often described to be like fingerprints, unique features which provide a unique signature.  It is important to get familiar with your diamond, both inside and out, to personalise the gem, to help you identify and describe the gem, and to assess the gem’s clarity and value.

Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or the prescence of structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that appear cloudy or white. The size, number, colour, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. A clarity grade is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under 10x magnification.