Diamond inclusions are one of the most misunderstood parts of buying a diamond. Some people fear them, others romanticize them — but the truth is simpler: almost every diamond has inclusions, and what really matters is how (and whether) they affect what you see and how the stone wears.
Whether you’re drawn to flawlessly clear white diamonds or cosmic salt and pepper stones, this guide will help you tell the difference between inclusions that impact beauty, inclusions that affect durability, and inclusions you can safely ignore — so you can choose with confidence (and avoid overpaying).
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TL;DR - Diamond inclusions made simple
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Most diamonds have inclusions — the goal is eye-clean, not flawless.
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Some inclusions affect beauty, others affect durability — know the difference.
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You can usually save money by choosing a lower clarity grade (VS2–SI1) if the inclusions are well-placed.
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Avoid surface-reaching inclusions (chips, knots, cavities, feathers at the edge).
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Step cuts (emerald, Asscher, portrait, rose cuts) need higher clarity than brilliant cuts.
What are Diamond Inclusions?
Diamond inclusions are tiny imperfections that occur naturally within a diamond as it forms deep inside the earth's crust. Inclusions in diamonds can look like tiny crystals, bubbles, chips, hazy spots, or even other minerals that become trapped inside the diamond.
Why Do Diamond Inclusions Matter?
First, let’s talk inclusions in traditional white diamonds. Almost all diamonds have inclusions, so what you’re aiming for is an eye-clean diamond – that means no inclusions visible to the naked eye. From there, clarity is measured by how easily blemishes can be seen under 10x magnification (more on that below!)
Keep in mind, the price of a diamond can increase substantially between two to three clarity grades but it can often be impossible to tell the difference between them. Don’t pay extra for something you can’t see! This is where it helps to work with an expert jeweler – we’ll find you the most beautiful, sparkling, eye-clean diamond in your budget and we know where to save or splurge on clarity.
The other side of inclusions: they can sometimes affect durability. A surface-reaching inclusion for example, is more than just aesthetics – it can make the diamond more prone to chipping or breaking.
Inclusions can be beautiful
While inclusions are considered “flaws” by some, they can also be incredibly beautiful. Every mark on a diamond tells that stone’s story across the span of millions of years – it’s pretty magical when you think about it.
Take salt and pepper diamonds for example – they're the most heavily included stones around, yet have the most mesmerizing starry night sky vibes. While traditional white diamonds are prized for their clarity, salt and pepper diamonds are beloved for their unique character and cosmic energy. Also known as galaxy diamonds, the white inclusions represent the stars and the black inclusions represent space. How can you not love that?
Salt and pepper diamonds range from a tiny dusting of speckles to a full-on stormy night, from opalescent to icy white, and everything in-between. They’re a celebration of inclusions and each one is completely one-of-a-kind.
Diamond Inclusion Grading
Before we chat about the many inclusion types, let’s cover the basics of clarity. The GIA grades diamonds for clarity based on the size, type, location, and overall effect of inclusions in a diamond at 10x magnification.
The GIA clarity grading scale:
- Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes can be seen with 10× magnification
- Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions (but some blemishes) can be seen with 10x magnification
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult to see under 10× magnification
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Minor inclusions can be seen under 10x magnification
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification
- Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Obvious inclusions under 10× magnification
Choosing between clarity grades
The salt and pepper diamonds we mentioned above start at the lowest clarity grades, whereas you can easily find eye-clean diamonds in the VS2 range and even sometimes in the SI1 and SI2 range depending on the diamond. Like we said, the goal is to find an eye-clean diamond in the lowest possible clarity grade so you’re not paying for a stat on paper that you can’t actually see in your diamond!
For example, if you had a VVS1 diamond and a VS2 diamond side by side and you couldn’t see any difference in clarity but the VVS1 diamond cost substantially more, which one would you choose? When you only pay for clarity you can see, you’re free to splurge on much more important factors like Cut – the true measure of a diamond’s sparkle and beauty.
Quick decision guide: What clarity do you really need?
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Brilliant cuts (round, oval, pear, marquise, cushion, radiant):
→ Most people are eye-clean at VS2–SI1 (sometimes even SI2 if inclusions are well placed). -
Step cuts (emerald, Asscher):
→ Aim for VS1–VS2 for a clean look. -
Portrait or rose cuts:
→ Consider VS1 or higher — inclusions are much more visible. -
Over 2 carats:
→ Move up one clarity grade vs your normal target.
DIAMOND INCLUSION types
These are clusters of tiny white inclusions that look like, you guessed it - clouds. They can impact the clarity of the diamond, but if you’re an inclusion-lover, they can also give it a hazy and ethereal look. If you’re looking for an eye-clean diamond, avoid clouds in lower clarity grade diamonds.
These are internal cracks within the diamond that look like white feathers. Depending on the size and location, they may only be visible from certain angles. Feathers don’t usually affect durability unless they’re surface-reaching.
These are long, thin inclusions that resemble needles. They’re usually very tiny and only visible under magnification. If they’re visible, they can affect clarity, but can also add a unique texture and pattern to a diamond.
These inclusions look like spun sugar or faux cobwebs. If it’s only a tiny wisp, it may be invisible, but larger clusters can affect clarity.
Pinpoints are tiny crystals that can appear inside a diamond. Only noticeable under magnification, they look like microscopic granules of sugar and are not something to worry about.
A knot is a diamond crystal that reaches the surface of the stone. Like all surface-reaching inclusions, knots can cause durability issues and are best avoided for a stone that lasts forever.
A cavity is a hole in the surface of a diamond. Usually cavities are formed from a feather or crystal breaking out during the cutting and polishing process.
Internal graining is groups of straight or curved lines inside a diamond – they can be colored, clear, or white. For an eye-clean diamond, avoid internal graining in lower clarity diamonds.
Even though they’re the hardest material on earth, diamonds can get bruises too! They’re formed after an impact – usually in human hands rather than during formation. Bruises are only visible under magnification and are not something to be concerned about.
Just like a chip in your windshield, a diamond chip is a small hole caused by an impact. Chips can significantly affect a diamond’s clarity and light reflection, so avoid them if you can. Stones with sharp edges like princess cut, marquise or emerald cut are more prone to chipping on their delicate corners, however a protective setting takes away that risk.
Some diamonds have other types of crystals trapped inside! They can be any color and almost any kind of mineral. Since they don’t generally reach the surface, they’re not usually an issue other than aesthetics.
It might look like a chip or cavity, but an indented natural inclusion is inside the diamond and doesn’t reach the surface. Because of this, they’re not a risky inclusion type.
diamond inclusions to avoid
Though inclusions can be beautiful, there are a few types to avoid to ensure your diamond is structurally sound and as sparkly as can be.
Chips
A chip is a small hole in the diamond. Why we would avoid chips: they can affect a diamond's sparkle, and most importantly, can spread and crack further upon another impact.
LASER DRILLED HOLEs
Laser drilled holes are human-made tunnels drilled into a diamond to improve an inclusion's appearance. They can also be treated with a filler material or acid bath to camoflouge the inclusion. This is a misleading practice done for heavily included diamonds and it isn't usually reflected in the price. We always steer clear of diamonds that have been artificially tampered with by humans!
"NOT SHOWN" CLARITY COMMENT
Run from any lower clarity grade diamond (SI or below) with this comment on a GIA grading report: “Clarity grade based on cloud/graining not shown”. These diamonds usually have many small inclusions that interfere with a diamond's sparkle, brilliance, and transparency.
surface reaching inclusions
Where to prioritize clarity
If you’re searching for an eye clean diamond, there are a few diamond types that call for a higher clarity grade:
- Step-cut diamonds: emerald cut and Asscher cut diamonds show inclusions much easier than brilliant cut diamonds, so if you’re shopping eye-clean, opt for a higher clarity grade.
- Portrait cut diamonds: these are completely see-through diamonds with a fully open table – any inclusions will be very visible in this type of stone.
- Rose cut diamonds: oh, how we love a rose cut. With their larger facets, inclusions will be more noticeable to the naked eye so you’ll want to choose a higher clarity grade vs a traditional brilliant cut diamond.
- Large diamonds: the bigger the diamond, the more easily you’ll be able to spot inclusions. As the stone size rises over 2 carats, you’ll want to move up the clarity scale.
Which inclusions matter most for different diamond shapes?
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Round / Oval / Pear / Marquise: Most forgiving — you can often go lower clarity.
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Emerald / Asscher: Show inclusions easily — prioritize clarity.
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Rose Cut / Portrait Cut: Very transparent — inclusions are obvious.
Your diamond inclusion questions answered
What is the best inclusion to have in a diamond?
Pinpoint inclusions are the least noticeable diamond inclusions and sometimes aren't even included on a GIA report because they can be imperceptible even to a trained Gemologist.
Are diamonds with inclusions cheaper?
Yes, inclusions will bring down the price of a diamond, and many inclusions are completely invisible to the naked eye - meaning by compromising on clarity (to a certain degree), you can get a bigger stone for less without any noticable difference. The goal with clarity is eye-clean - don't pay for statistics that you can't see. Read our Complete Guide to Diamond Clarity for more on choosing the right clarity grade for you.
Are diamonds with inclusions worth anything?
99.5% of all diamonds have inclusions - they are simply a natural part of diamond formation. Having said that, the number, type, and prominence of inclusions will affect a diamond's value and any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye will have a bigger impact on the diamond's value and price.
Can you get rid of inclusions in diamonds?
No, inclusions are natural charactertistics in a diamond and cannot be changed unless you re-cut and polish the diamond which will create a smaller stone.
Which diamond inclusion is a dealbreaker?
Surface-reaching inclusions are dealbreakers as they can affect the durability of the diamond. And unless you're looking for a Salt and Pepper Diamond, you'll want to avoid large or dark inclusions near the center of the stone as they will be very obvious.
What are the worst types of inclusions in a diamond?
In terms of durability, the worst types of inclusions are chips, large cavities, and other surface-reaching inclusions. In terms of aesthetics, the most obvious inclusions are black carbon spots which look like pieces of pepper in a diamond.
The final word on inclusions
Now that we’ve spilled all the diamond inclusion tea, we’re here to say, choose what you love! If you’re coveting a flawless sparkling white diamond, we love that for you. If you’re mesmerized by a hazy cloud inclusion, just say yes! If you love the cosmic inclusion patterns in a salt and pepper diamond – that’s the one for you. It’s helpful to speak jewelry-ese and be able to read GIA reports, but ultimately, it's about choosing a stone you can’t stop staring at.
Whether you know the exact diamond you want or aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help you find your perfect stone! Book a free consult with us anytime.