If you are diamond shopping, you may be overwhelmed by all the choices out there. Not only are there a lot of choices, but different terms and characteristics of diamonds that made it difficult to sort out when it comes to narrowing down your choices. The first thing to do is start with a top notch diamond retailer such as Rare Carat. Their online store contains millions of diamonds, with countless tools to help you navigate through your purchasing experience.

One of the terms you will hear over and over again is “inclusions”, and you will see this listed if a diamond has this when you shop online at Rare Carat.

So what are diamond inclusions, and which ones should you avoid?

1. Black Carbon Spots

These little spots are inside the diamond and simply appear as little black dots. They are visible blemishes in the diamond, and also affect the sparkle. Most people find that these are undesirable and they want to avoid these. It is possible to find diamonds that have spots in parts of the diamond that are less noticeable, such as somewhere by a prong of a setting or at the bottom, but it is tough to avoid seeing that black spot.

2. Bruise

A bruised diamond is really that – a diamond that has experienced some kind of impact, which causes a spot. These bruises detract from the overall clarity and sparkle, but often it is a minor issue and can offer a price break if you are trying to fit into a particular budget. You can consult with a gemologist at Rare Carat if you are thinking of considering purchasing a bruised diamond, so that they can weigh in.

3. Center Stage Inclusions

Center stage inclusions are right in the middle of the stone, so it is a good idea to avoid these as this type of inclusion really detracts from the diamond. This is going to be a noticeable flaw in your diamond.

4. Cracks and Fractures

Cracks and fractures are bad news. These are both unsightly as well as cause structural weakness. A diamond ring is likely worn every day, and any time it gets hit or smacked, you run the chance of it further cracking or even breaking in half. It is good to avoid diamonds that already have cracks or fractures.

5. Surface Chips

Surface chips are also bad news, because if a diamond has already chipped, it will likely chip again.

6. Bearded Girdle

A bearded girdle is usually the result of poor polishing, leaving the outer edges of a diamond looking hazy or with a feathered appearance. It can certainly detract from a diamond, but is not the worst when it comes to having a bad feature, and it does not affect the structure.

Now that you have an idea of what to avoid and what could work for you, check out Rare Carat and compare the diamonds in their inventory to see what fits your needs. Don’t forget that they have all of these great tools and features!

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