Blemishes are clarity characteristics on the surface of a diamond. Some blemishes are natural and some occur when the diamond is cut, polished, or from every day wear. Some blemishes can affect the diamond’s clarity grade, but many have no impact on the diamond’s brilliance.
Some of the more common blemishes…
Scratches are fine lines on the surface usually the table that can be removed by re-polishing the diamond.
Nicks are chips in the diamond usually around the girdle.
Pits are holes in the diamond’s facets and are usually hard to see unless one is in the table facet.
Extra facets are additional facets added the diamond to polish away a flaw or to save diamond weight.
Naturals are part of the diamond’s original rough surface left unpolished. They are usually left along the diamond’s girdle to produce a larger carat weight stone. When left on the girdle, naturals will not affect clarity grade.
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