Learn About Diamond Blemishes

Diamond Blemishes Are Flaws on the Surface of a Diamond

There are several different types of blemishes, or flaws, that you might see on the surface of a diamond. Some diamond blemishes are a natural part of the gem and others occur either when the diamond is cut and polished or while you are wearing it.

Surface blemishes can affect diamond clarity and value, but many blemishes have little or no affect on a diamond's appearance.

Scratches are usually fine surface lines that can be polished away, but the diamond must be removed from its setting in order to do that.

Nicks are areas where a portion of the diamond has chipped away. Small nicks are sometimes repaired by polishing them to create an extra facet. If too many extra facets are created in order to remove blemishes, they can have a negative impact on the diamond's appearance and value.

Pits are holes in a diamond's facet.

Some pits aren't noticeable, but a pit on the diamond's table facet is more likely to be visible and will affect the diamond's clarity grade. Shallow diamond pits can sometimes be polished away.

A natural is a portion of the diamond's original rough surface that hasn't been polished. Naturals are sometimes left along a diamond's girdle if doing so allows the cutter to produce a larger carat weight stone. Naturals don't normally impact the diamond's clarity grade if they are present only on the girdle.

A trigon is a natural that looks like a small triangle. A trigon sometimes looks like series of triangles within triangles.

Polishing lines are markings that occur during the cutting and polishing process. Their affect on the diamond's looks and value depends on where they are. Polishing lines on the pavilion aren't as noticeable as lines in other areas.

Blemishes are just one of the topics you should think about when you shop for a diamond engagement ring or other diamond jewelry. Become familiar with blemish terminology so that you can ask questions - and understand the responses.