Like any other trade, diamond trade too has coined its own word to describe and thus evaluate their produce. For instance, take the word flaw. It means imperfection. Sounds logical! Diamonds may have, rather usually have some imperfection or the other as it is very rare to get a “perfect” diamond. But, the point is that people like you and me are unable to find these flaws, certainly not thru a naked eye.
Some minor inclusions can cause a diamond lose some its brilliance. Now, “minor” is defined by jewelers, and again a commoner can’t judge how minor the flaw is in the diamond that is being viewed.
Technically, the brilliance of any item, diamonds included, depends up on its ability to reflect light falling on its surface. So, if the medium, diamond in our case, offers some obstruction to passage of light, it’s unable to reflect back all or part of the light that falls on it and that affects the brilliance. However, most of flaws in diamonds are to a good extent overcome by the jewelers and gemologists by the tricks of their trade.
Certain flaws or inclusions could be too large to weaken the gem stone, and it may shatter or break very easily. You need to be careful of such flaws while buying diamonds.
Pinpoint Inclusions
If a diamond has small irregular patches of crystals in groups or scattered inside it, it is termed as flawed diamond and the impurities or patches of crystals are called pinpoint inclusions. These impurities affect the clarity of diamond and the stone is said to have a “cloud” inside it. Such flaws may render the diamond worthless.
After-Effects Of Laser Treatments
Imperfect diamonds are treated with lasers to rid them of flaws, but at times the process leaves behind a line in the diamond. It appears like a thread passing thru the diamond. Once again, the flaw adversely affects the price and quality of diamond. Such a flaw is spotted easily by many people.
Mineral And Crystal Inclusions
Though most of the flaws or inclusions in diamonds affect its looks and price adversely, at times, though rarely, certain inclusions can enhance its beauty and price. The rare instances imply the cases wherein another tiny diamond is naturally embedded in the main diamond. Imagine a ruby or an emerald surrounded by a diamond! Wouldn’t that be a rare piece, though by definition it’s a flaw?
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