What Are Inclusions In Diamonds?

Diamond inclusions are small imperfections found on the stone’s body. Inclusions are created by the extreme heat and pressure used to make diamonds and are a key factor in determining the stone’s clarity. 

Diamonds with no inclusions are extremely rare! Here is everything that you need to know. 

What Are Inclusions In Diamonds

Diamond Cavities 

Just like a cavity in your teeth, diamond cavities are small holes in the diamond. 

Bearding

Bearding is hair-like lines caused during the process of cutting a diamond. These lines can sometimes look gray or fuzzy and appear as if the diamond has been scratched. 

Pinpoint Inclusions

This is the most common type of inclusion. Pinpoint inclusions are tiny black spots on the diamond. 

Chip

This is a man-made inclusion, usually from wear and tear. It can be caused by an accidental knock and often looks like a small opening on the surface of the diamond. 

Should You Buy A Diamond With Inclusions

The simple answer is yes, you should buy diamonds with inclusions. Almost all diamonds have some sort of inclusion, and a diamond with no inclusions is extremely rare.

However, there are some inclusions you should be wary of before purchasing a diamond. 

Inclusions To Avoid

Dark Crystals

A crystal is a diamond in raw form that embeds itself inside the stone. If there are too many dark crystals, they will stand out and detract from the brilliance of the stone. They will also take away from the stone’s shine. 

Other than detracting from shine, brilliance, and fire, dark crystals do not create any structural damage to the stone. 

Long Feathers

Feathers are small fractures within the structure of a diamond. Long feathers can cause durability issues which lower the quality of the stone. 

The fractures may lead to more damage if you accidentally hit the stone and may even cause it to split. 

How Do Professionals Identify Inclusions

Size

One of the first things professionals inspect on an inclusion is its size. The bigger the inclusion, the less valuable the stone. 

Location

The location of an inclusion will also determine how valuable a diamond is. Inclusions at the center of a diamond will drastically affect a diamond’s brilliance, clarity, and fire.  

The Bottom Line

While it is extremely rare to find a diamond with no inclusions, there are some that you have to keep an eye on. If you are looking at buying a diamond with an inclusion, ensure it does not detract from the diamond’s shine, and you will not regret your purchase. 

Trust The Diamond Experts

At Winston’s Crown Jewelers in Newport Beach, we have in-house Gemologists who will advise you on the best diamond purchase. We have a vast collection of diamond jewelry online and in the store. Book an appointment and visit us to learn more about diamonds.