Have you ever gone to purchase diamonds and was worried about the outcome? Perhaps you chose a stone that embodied perfection, only to see the sales clerk point out its microscopic flaws.
The vast majority of diamonds contain imperfections known as inclusions. Flawless diamonds are so rare that a jeweler may find perhaps one in a lifetime. Though most inclusions are only visible under magnification, their type and quantity impacts their aesthetic and retail value.
Most inclusions are quirks of nature, such as a crystal of a different mineral trapped within a diamond. A handful result when a diamond is being finished, leaving faint waves from the polishing or an extra facet to preserve carat weight. Superficial imperfections such as these are known as blemishes, which can be removed with little trouble.
