Diamond crystals, or ‘diamonds’ have long been admired for their beauty and strength. The name ‘diamond’ comes from the Greek word for ‘unbreakable’ and the exquisite hardness of diamonds makes them a desirable material for jewelry and industrial applications. Diamonds most commonly occur in nature as octahedral or cubic crystalline forms that form from the mineral, carbon.
The intrinsic properties of diamonds allow them to endure extreme conditions of extreme heat and pressure. They are extremely hard, thermally and electrically insulating, chemically inert, and optically refractive. These properties make diamonds highly sought-after for a multitude of uses, including jewelry, industrial applications, and electronics.
Diamonds are classified according to the presence of various defects or imperfections known as ‘inclusions’. These inclusions can take the form of gas bubbles, cracks, or foreign minerals that may have become trapped in the crystal structure. The most common type of inclusion is the presence of minute inclusions of graphite, commonly known as ‘diamond dust’. Inclusions can affect the clarity of the diamond, as well as its coloration, strength, and other characteristics.
The presence of inclusions does not make a diamond less valuable, but it can reduce its overall value and considerable reduce its value in the form of a diamond ring or necklace. Cleaner, or ‘whiter’ diamonds, with fewer inclusions, are the most sought after and highly valued.
Inclusions can form in diamond crystals due to a number of different factors. One common cause is physical shock which can cause a defect to form at the point of impact. Pressure caused by a foreign material such as a diamond fragment, artificial implant, or crystal defect can also cause inclusions within diamond crystals. In some cases, subsurface inclusions may also form due to the presence of different elements and compounds in the diamond structure.
The most common form of inclusions in diamond crystals are fractures and chips, known as ‘cavities’. These cavities can occur due to intense thermal shock, mechanical shock, and fracturing resulting from the presence of a foreign material within the diamond. Other inclusions may occur due to the presence of graphite, dislocations within the crystal lattice, and corrosive reactions due to the presence of moisture.
The presence of any inclusions can cause a diamond to become less desirable, however, it is important to note that diamonds without any inclusions also vary in quality and clarity. The most ideal diamonds for use in jewelry would have no visible inclusions, inclusions that are too small to be seen by the human eye, or inclusions that can be removed by polishing.
In summary, diamond crystals are valuable and highly sought-after material due to their unique properties. The presence of inclusions can cause a diamond to become less desirable, however, it is important to note that diamonds without any inclusions also vary in quality and clarity. Cleaner, or ‘whiter’ diamonds, with fewer inclusions, are the most sought after and highly valued. Inclusions can form in diamond crystals due to a number of different factors, including physical shock, pressure caused by a foreign material, and the presence of different elements and compounds in the diamond structure.
