diamond inclusions


Below is an alphabetized list of diamond inclusions, along with descriptions and photos.

bearding

Bearding at the bruted girdle of a round brilliant cut diamond
Bearding is visible at this diamond's girdle

Fuzzy, hair-like lines that extend from the girdle into the diamond that occur during the cutting process.

cavity

Photo of cavities on the surface of commercial quality diamonds.
These low quality baguette diamonds have visible cavities

A large opening in the surface of the diamond.  Cavities are usually created during the polishing process when an internal inclusion is breached, and is dislodged from the diamond, leaving an opening at the surface

chip


A small, shallow opening on the surface of the diamond due to wear and tear.  Usually at the girdle, or at facet junctions.​

cloud

Cloud inclusion inside a natural diamond
Many microscopic inclusions form this cloud inside a natural diamond

A cluster of pinpoints and/or crystals found very close to each other.

crystal

Included crystal in a diamond
Crystal inclusion inside a natural diamond

A mineral crystal within the diamond.  They can be black (carbon), colorless (diamond), red (garnet), green (peridot), etc.

feather

This photomicrograph, by Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, shows a perfect example of a feather inclusion in a diamond.
Large feather inclusion inside a natural diamond

A crack, or fracture, within the diamond.

graining

Internal graining in a diamond
Graining in a diamond visible under magnification

Caused by irregular crystal growth.  Internal graining can appear milky or hazy.

indented natural

An indented natural on the diamond's girdle may be mistaken as a chip, but has angular growth marks on its surface
Indented natural on the girdle of a diamond

An area of the rough diamond's surface that is recessed beneath the surface of a polished diamond, usually at the girdle.  It may appear to be a cavity, but when magnified, you'll notice angular growth marks.

needle

Needle inclusion in a diamond
Needle inclusion

A long, thin, needle-shaped inclusion that is usually white or transparent.

pinpoint


Very tiny white or black crystal inclusions.

twinning wisps

Twinning wisps in a trapezoid-shaped step cut diamond
Twinning wisps inside a trapezoid step cut diamond

A series of pinpoints, feathers, clouds or crystals that form a chaotic pattern.  Due to a "stop and start" of growth during the formation of the diamond, sometimes thousands of years later.

unique inclusions gallery


All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GG, ASA, CMA, RGA, AJP, CMSP, CSSP