diamond inclusions to avoid
Though inclusions can be beautiful, there are a few types to avoid to ensure your diamond is structurally sound and as sparkly as can be.
Chips
A chip is a small hole in the diamond. Why we would avoid chips: they can affect a diamond’s sparkle, and most importantly, can spread and crack further upon another impact.
LASER DRILLED HOLEs
Laser drilled holes are human-made tunnels drilled into a diamond to improve an inclusion’s appearance. They can also be treated with a filler material or acid bath to camoflouge the inclusion. This is a misleading practice done for heavily included diamonds and it isn’t usually reflected in the price. We always steer clear of diamonds that have been artificially tampered with by humans!
“NOT SHOWN” CLARITY COMMENT
Run from any lower clarity grade diamond (SI or below) with this comment on a GIA grading report: “Clarity grade based on cloud/graining not shown”. These diamonds usually have many small inclusions that interfere with a diamond’s sparkle, brilliance, and transparency.
surface reaching inclusions
Inclusions like knots, cavities, and feathers that reach the surface of a diamond can cause further damage and are best avoided if possible.
Where to prioritize clarity
If you’re searching for an eye clean diamond, there are a few diamond types that call for a higher clarity grade:
- Step-cut diamonds: emerald cut and Asscher cut diamonds show inclusions much easier than brilliant cut diamonds, so if you’re shopping eye-clean, opt for a higher clarity grade.
- Portrait cut diamonds: these are completely see-through diamonds with a fully open table – any inclusions will be very visible in this type of stone.
- Rose cut diamonds: oh, how we love a rose cut. With their larger facets, inclusions will be more noticeable to the naked eye so you’ll want to choose a higher clarity grade vs a traditional brilliant cut diamond.
- Large diamonds: the bigger the diamond, the more easily you’ll be able to spot inclusions. As the stone size rises over 2 carats, you’ll want to move up the clarity scale.
Your diamond inclusion questions answered
What is the best inclusion to have in a diamond?
Pinpoint inclusions are the least noticeable diamond inclusions and sometimes aren’t even included on a GIA report because they can be imperceptible even to a trained Gemologist.
Are diamonds with inclusions cheaper?
Yes, inclusions will bring down the price of a diamond, and many inclusions are completely invisible to the naked eye – meaning by compromising on clarity (to a certain degree), you can get a bigger stone for less without any noticable difference. The goal with clarity is eye-clean – don’t pay for statistics that you can’t see. Read our Complete Guide to Diamond Clarity for more on choosing the right clarity grade for you.
Are diamonds with inclusions worth anything?
99.5% of all diamonds have inclusions – they are simply a natural part of diamond formation. Having said that, the number, type, and prominence of inclusions will affect a diamond’s value and any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye will have a bigger impact on the diamond’s value and price.
Can you get rid of inclusions in diamonds?
No, inclusions are natural charactertistics in a diamond and cannot be changed unless you re-cut and polish the diamond which will create a smaller stone.
Which diamond inclusion is a dealbreaker?
Surface-reaching inclusions are dealbreakers as they can affect the durability of the diamond. And unless you’re looking for a Salt and Pepper Diamond, you’ll want to avoid large or dark inclusions near the center of the stone as they will be very obvious.
What are the worst types of inclusions in a diamond?
In terms of durability, the worst types of inclusions are chips, large cavities, and other surface-reaching inclusions. In terms of aesthetics, the most obvious inclusions are black carbon spots which look like pieces of pepper in a diamond.
The final word on inclusions
Now that we’ve spilled all the diamond inclusion tea, we’re here to say, choose what you love! If you’re coveting a flawless sparkling white diamond, we love that for you. If you’re mesmerized by a hazy cloud inclusion, just say yes! If you love the cosmic inclusion patterns in a salt and pepper diamond – that’s the one for you. It’s helpful to speak jewelry-ese and be able to read GIA reports, but ultimately, it’s about choosing a stone you can’t stop staring at.
