Needle, Feathers, Crystals, Clouds, etc

[kevinraja]

Can anyone explain in detail (preferably with pictures) the difference between needle, feathers, crystal, clouds, etc...

Thanks.

 

[Maxine]

Some of the certs. I am pulling up lately - GIA - state: feather, or cloud, but don''t plot them to show you where they are...is this something new?

 

[pqcollectibles]

Here''s a link to an old thread that talks about clouds. Clouds are clusters of pinpoints. Sometimes a cloud isn''t drawn on a plot because it would make the stone look terrible on paper when it''s really not a factor in the beauty or performance of the diamond.

Here''s a link to an old thread about needle.

Feathers are healed fractures in the diamond crystal. A nice way of saying a "crack" as it were.

Crystals are crystals. Could be diamond. Could be some other gemstone such as garnet or ruby.

You can search old threads by keyword. Some have pictures of various inclusions and there are some rather spirted discussions as well.