DIAMOND INCLUSIONS
INTERNAL DIAMOND INCLUSION
Carbon
T i ny b l a c k s p ot s c a u s e d by u n d i g e s te d c a r b o n i n c l u s i o n s ( n a t t s ) . B l a c k m a te r i a l
fo u n d w i t h i n i n te r n a l f r a c t u r e p l a n e s c a n a l s o b e c r y s t a l l o g r a p h i c i n c l u s i o n s o f
g r a p h i te , fe r ro p e r i c l a s e , py r rh ot i te a n d p e n t l a n d i te .
Clouds (Cld)
A d e n s e g ro u p i n g o f t i ny p i n p o i n t s t h a t c r e a te a c l o u d y z o n e w h i c h m ay n ot r e s o l ve
a s i n d i v i d u a l p i n p o i n t s a t 10 X M a g n i fi c a t i o n .
Fe a t h e r s ( F t r )
C l e ava g e p l a n e s o r i n te r n a l s t r e s s f r a c t u r e s t h a t h ave t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f fe a t h e r s .
C o m m o n a ro u n d i n c l u d e d c r y s t a l s .
G r a i n C e n te r ( G r C n t )
A c o n c e n t r a te d a r e a o f c r y s t a l g row t h t h a t c a n a p p e a r l i g h t o r d a rk .
G r ow t h Tu b e s
I m p e r fe c t i o n fo r m e d d u r i n g c r y s t a l g row t h , w h e n a t u b e i s g e n e r a te d by a fo r m e r l y
l i q u i d fi l l e d c av i t y .
Included Crystals (Xtl)
I n c l u d e d a n d u n d i g e s te d g e m s to n e s o r f r a g m e n t s o f g a r n et , d i o p s i d e , s p i n e l ,
o l i v i n e , c a l c i te , i ro n ox i d e s , o r s i l i c a .
I n te r n a l G r a i n i n g ( I n t G r )
I r r e g u l a r c r y s t a l g row t h c a u s i n g i n te r n a l d i s to r t i o n s , wav i n e s s , a n d / o r h a z e . C a n
b e a c c o m p a n i e d by i n te r n a l s t r a i n .
I n te r n a l L a s e r D r i l l i n g ( L D H )
I n te r n a l p a t h way c a u s e d by l a s e r - d r i l l i n g to r e m ove l a r g e i n c l u s i o n s , a n d w h e r e
p a t h way d o e s n ot b r e a c h t h e c u t d i a m o n d ' s s u r f a c e .
Needles (Ndl)
Ru t i l e - l i ke n e e d l e - s h a p e d i n c l u s i o n s .
Pinpoints (Pp)
M i n u te c r y s t a l s w i t h i n t h e d i a m o n d t h a t a p p e a r w h i te . L a r g e g ro u p i n g s o f s m a l l
p i n p o i n t s c a n c r e a te a c l o u d e f fe c t .
Tw i n n i n g W i s p s
I n c l u s i o n s a n d d e fe c t s r e s u l t i n g f ro m c r y s t a l - t w i n i n g d u r i n g c r y s t a l g row t h . C a n
b e a c c o m p a n i e d by g r a i n i n g a n d s t r a i n .
INTERNAL DIAMOND INCLUSION
Carbon
Tiny black spots caused by undigested carbon inclusions
(natts). Black material found within internal fracture planes
can also be crystallographic inclusions of graphite,
ferropericlase, pyrrhotite and pentlandite.
Pinpoints (Pp)
Minute crystals within the diamond that appear white. Large
groupings of small pinpoints can create a cloud effect.
Clouds (Cld)
A dense grouping of tiny pinpoints that create a cloudy zone
which may not resolve as individual pinpoints at 10X
Magnification.
Feathers (Ftr)
Cleavage planes or internal stress fractures that have the
appearance of feathers. Common around included crystals.
Grain Center (GrCnt)
A concentrated area of crystal growth that can appear light or
dark.
Growth Tubes
Imperfection formed during crystal growth, when a tube is
generated by a formerly liquid filled cavity.
Included Cr ystals (Xtl)
Included and undigested gemstones or fragments of garnet,
diopside, spinel, olivine, calcite, iron oxides, or silica.
Internal Graining (IntGr)
Irregular crystal growth causing internal distortions, waviness,
and/or haze. Can be accompanied by internal strain.
Internal Laser Drilling (LDH)
Internal pathway caused by laser-drilling to remove large
inclusions, and where pathway does not breach the cut
diamond's surface.
Needles (Ndl)
Rutile-like needle-shaped inclusions.
Twinning Wisps
Inclusions and defects resulting from crystal-twining during
crystal growth. Can be accompanied by graining and strain.
Natural External Diamond Inclusions or Blemishes
Knots
An inclusion that penetrates the surface, appearing as a
raised area.
Lizard Skin
A bumpy or wavy 'orange-peel' textured pattern on the
polished surface of a diamond.
Pits
Dislodged pinpoint inclusions at the surface.
Knots
An inclusion that penetrates the surface, appearing as a
raised area.
Lizard Skin
A bumpy or wavy 'orange-peel' textured pattern on the
polished surface of a diamond.
Hu man Cau sed Su r face Blemishes
Abrasion (Abr)
A tightly grouped series of nicks along the sharp edge of facet junctions,
creating a whitish fuzzy edge as opposed to a sharp edge.
Bearded Girdle (BG)
Fine cracks, chips, fringing, or feather s along the outer edge of girdle.
Bru ising (Br)
A percussion mark or hole caused by impact and surrounded by tiny
feather s.
Bu rn Marks
Created during polishing, the overheating of a facet causes a burn mark .
Cavities (Cv)
An indentation resulting from a feather or damage during polishing.
Chips
Damage usually occurring on the sharp edge of a facet.
D rag L ines
Created when a rough par ticle is dragged along the sur face, or caught by
a included cr ystal, during cutting and/or polishing the diamond.
Extra Facet (EF)
An asymmetrical and irregularly placed facet that is not part of
the original faceting scheme.
Filled Fractures
Fractures or feathers that have been artificially filled to
enhance clarity.
Laser Etching or Markings
Careless or inadvertent laser etchings, markings, and
inscriptions.
Polish Lines (PL)
Fine parallel sur face groves resulting from the polishing
process.
Polish Marks (PM)
Also known as "Wheel Marks," whitish film on the sur face of a
facet caused by excessive heat during polishing.
Scratch (S)
A fine whitish line that can be cur ved or straight.
Filled Fractures
Fractures or feathers that have been artificially filled to
enhance clarity.
Laser Etching or Markings
Careless or inadvertent laser etchings, markings, and
inscriptions
