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Diamond Clarity Education - Inclusions

Inclusions Totally Enclosed Within a Diamond

Cloud (Cld) many tightly grouped pinpoints.  Clouds look like white or grey patches and if large and dense can reduce transparency and therefore impact brilliance.
Crystal (Xtl) mineral crystal contained in the diamond.  The most common mineral crystals found in a diamond are smaller diamond crystals and dark crystals often referred to by many as "carbon spots" which an inaccurate term.
Needle (Ndl) long, thin rod like crystal, which can appear white, dark, or bright.
Pinpoint (Pp) very small crystal that looks like a dot.  Pinpoints are mostly white, but can appear dark.

Inclusions Totally Enclosed Within a Diamond Resulting From Crystal Structure

Internal graining (IntGr) caused by irregularities in crystal growth.  Internal graining can be shaped as lines, angles, or curves and can appear whitish, colored, or reflective.
Grain center (GrCnt) small concentrated area of crystal growth.  The grain center can either appear white or dark and may have a thread like or pinpoint appearance.
Twinning wisp (W) series of pinpoints, clouds, or crystals that form in a twinned diamond’s growth plane.  They appear flat and look like a ribbon and usually begin at the diamond’s center.

Inclusions Reaching or Extending Into a Diamond From the Surface

Bearded girdle (BG) very tiny feathers that extend from the girdle to the diamond.  A heavily bearded girdle will cause a grey fuzzy appearance around the stone.
Bruise (Br) tiny area of surface crumbling often accompanied by very small root like feathers.
Feather (Ftr) any break in a diamond.  Feathers can present more of a durability issue than any other inclusion.  One hard knock may make them larger.  Feathers appear white or transparent.
Knot (K) included crystal that reaches the surface after fashioning.
Chip (Ch) shallow opening (usually small, but can be large), curved or rounded in appearance and is located at the girdle, facet junction, or culet.
Cavity (Cv) angular opening formed when part of a feather beaks away.
Indented natural (IndN) portion of the original crystal that falls below the diamond's surface.

Inclusions Caused by Treatment

Laser drill hole (LDH) tiny channel made by a laser.  The surface opening may resemble a pit while the channel looks like a needle or a narrow spike.  This is evidence of enhancement and AGS standards require disclosure.
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