Diamond characteristics shouldn’t be thought of as flaws. When a diamond is cut to retain weight with no regard to beauty, I call that a flaw – a cutter’s flaw – or poor workmanship. Nature’s marks are documentation of the diamond’s history – and that history goes back thousands of years and miles below the earth’s surface. I call that fascinating.

Previously, I mentioned the girdle of the diamond could be laser inscribed to help identify it. Without a laser inscription, the girdle is still a good place to look for one of nature’s marks – called a natural. This is part of the original surface of the diamond rough, left on the diamond by the cutter.  As long as it doesn’t distort the outline of the diamond, it’s really a mark of the cutter’s expertise. And, it’s a mark that you can see with a microscope and your jeweler can document for you on a report. In fact, some jewelers have the ability to take a picture of it for you! How neat is that!?

Another common characteristic is a crystal – another mineral that is trapped inside the diamond during its formation. Geologists have identified garnet, peridot, and ruby inside of diamond!  (Other minerals too) What you won’t find is the notorious “carbon spot”.  Although diamond is carbon, and a crystal might be black, it won’t be carbon.  (FYI) You can locate and identify a single crystal or several. They will be unique to your diamond.

One other common characteristic is a feather – a break in the diamond. This sounds both ominous and humorous.  It’s sounds better than fracture (which it could be) or calling it a cleavage (which could be confusing), and may not always be accurate. So, years ago, the term feather was introduced. (FYI – some diamond graders use the term, gletz).

Some feathers actually can take on the likeness of a dancer – or a star – or other imaginary figures. Whatever they may look like to you, they are unique to your diamond. And, usually only found with the aid of a microscope. (Unless you have a lower clarity diamond).

The inside world of diamonds – fascinating, useful, and unique. Let’s go shopping!!

Next week, just what is a sale price?   …Dii