Diamonds are truly remarkable. A cutter takes a rough “pebble” and places 58 tiny facets (sometimes more; sometime less) in a geometric pattern that directs light to play games with your eyes. Of course, some cutters are better than others – some diamonds are more beautiful than others. But cut quality is another post…

Inside the diamond, Mother Nature usually leaves her mark.  Like some birth marks, they can be a size, color, or shape in a certain location and suddenly, they become beauty marks! But in diamonds, Mother’s marks are of a size, number, color, type, and in a location that results in a clarity grade – one of the 4Cs of diamond grading. Some people call these marks flaws or imperfections; diamond graders call them inclusions; I call them characteristics. And they can be very interesting and useful!!

Just like too much of a good thing, too many “characteristics” in a diamond will interfere with the light and lower its beauty. With just a few, they cannot be seen without the aid of magnification. And, they can be identified as unique characteristics of your diamond!

Choosing a knowledgeable jeweler who has a microscope, can be a good step towards knowing your diamond – inside and out. Ask to see the inside world of your diamond – make note of an interesting characteristic – and you will always know it’s your diamond. Don’t leave it with a jeweler that can’t or won’t show you. It’s cheap insurance and its priceless information. Tomorrow – what you can look for in your diamond.  …Dii