{"id":4236,"date":"2011-07-03T08:52:08","date_gmt":"2011-07-03T12:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=4236"},"modified":"2018-03-27T21:40:38","modified_gmt":"2018-03-28T01:40:38","slug":"black-spots-in-diamonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/black-spots-in-diamonds\/","title":{"rendered":"BLACK SPOTS IN DIAMONDS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Black<\/div>\n

What are Black Spots in a Diamond? <\/p>\n

\nBlack Spots, or more commonly referred to as, Black Carbon Spots, are Crystal Inclusions that formed in a Diamond when the Diamond was born.<\/p>\n

Black Spots (also called Pepper) are one of the most common Inclusions found in a Diamond. The basic reason for this is simple: <\/strong>They’re the easiest to spot.<\/p>\n

\nBlack Spots in a white Diamond stand out and a lot of times become very apparent. I see people wipe their Diamond with their finger thinking it’s dust or dirt on the stone, but it’s not. It’s trapped inside the Diamond and has been there for over a million years. That Black Spot is going nowhere!<\/strong> It’s in there for life.<\/p>\n

\nBlack Spots can look like small dark flakes, or they can congregate together and look like a massive eye sore.<\/p>\n

\nOther noticeable flaws in a Diamond include: Cloudy Areas, Cracks, Lines, Pinpoints, Chips…<\/p>\n

\nTake a look at the image below and the official Diamond Plot terminology…<\/p>\n

\n\"Black<\/p>\n

\nSome people don’t notice Black Spots at first (shown only as an outline on a Plot). But once they do spot them, they’ll never stop looking at them. It’s one of those distracting things that take away from the beauty of a Diamond.<\/p>\n

\nThe main reason why people didn’t know the Inclusion was there, was because they didn’t learn about the Clarity of the Diamond they were buying and they didn’t take the time to Microscope<\/a> their stone.<\/p>\n

Diamond Clarity and Black Spots<\/h2>\n

\nIf you can see Black Spots in a Diamond with your naked eye (unaided<\/strong>), it usually means only one thing: That Diamond is an I Clarity Diamond<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nI Clarity means Included<\/strong>! There are three ranges of I Clarity Diamonds (I1, I2 and I3<\/strong>) and each drop in level earns you more Inclusions and BIGGER <\/strong>visible Inclusions. See image of I Clarity Diamonds below…<\/p>\n

\n\"I<\/p>\n

\nI Clarity means there are eye-visible flaws in the stone and if you think they stand out now, you should see them under a jeweler’s loupe<\/a> (10x Magnification). That’s an eye-opener!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nSometimes the flaws in an I Clarity Diamond are so plentiful, the Diamond will look cloudy or hazy with little or NO Brilliance<\/strong> at all. Inclusions stop light in its track and make the Diamond sparkle less.<\/p>\n

\nSo if you can see the flaws just by peeking at the Diamond, consider it an I Clarity stone.<\/p>\n

Clarity is Rare<\/h2>\n

\nPeople wonder why Jewelry Stores would sell Diamonds<\/strong> with such huge visible flaws in them. It all comes down to rarity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nEven Diamonds of this Clarity are still very rare in nature (nature is NOT perfect!<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nAnything I3 or higher are Gem Quality Diamonds and make up only the top 15% <\/strong>of all the Diamonds mined in the world today.<\/p>\n

\nSo even a Diamond filled with Black Spots, Lines, Cracks and Fractures is still a rare find<\/strong>. That’s why they hold their price and why stores sell them.<\/p>\n

\nTo get away from visible flaws, you’ll have to spend more money <\/strong>and move up in Clarity.<\/p>\n

\nTo compare the price differences for Diamonds with the only thing changing being Clarity, compare the Price Chart below… (All Diamonds are 1 Carat, G Color, Ideal Cut and GIA Certified). (Prices taken from James Allen<\/a> at the time of this post.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
CARAT WEIGHT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT, CERTIFIED<\/strong><\/td>\nPRICE<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.00, I1, G, EXCELLENT, GIA<\/strong><\/td>\n$3,400<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.00, SI1, G, EXCELLENT, GIA<\/strong><\/td>\n$5,610<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.00, VS1, G, EXCELLENT, GIA<\/strong><\/td>\n$7,580<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\nAs you can see, each and every step in Clarity makes a hefty jump in price<\/strong>. You get what you pay for.<\/p>\n

\nStepping up in Clarity isn’t a bad idea because here’s a fact very few consumers know:<\/p>\n

Inclusions Weaken Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\nIt’s true<\/strong>. The more flaws you have in a Diamond, the weaker it becomes.<\/p>\n

Think about Cheese as an example. What’s more durable? A solid block of Cheddar Cheese, or a block of Swiss Cheese with holes?<\/strong> See my point?<\/p>\n

\n\"Inclusions<\/p>\n

\nThe more imperfections a stone has, the weaker the overall structure and integrity becomes<\/strong>… Which is a great reason why you should upgrade your stone!<\/p>\n

I See Black Spots!<\/h2>\n

\nThe good thing about Black Spots is the fact that they’re easy to spot, memorize and identify<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nYou can check them with the Diamond Plot on your Certificate and match up the flaws.<\/p>\n

\n\"GIA<\/p>\n

\nKnowing where your Inclusions are and what they look like will allow you to scope your Diamond anytime, anywhere and know that Diamond is yours.<\/p>\n

\nYou won’t have to worry about Diamond Switching!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nPLUS<\/strong>, being an I Clarity Diamond, chances are good no Jeweler would want to swap it out anyway. What would they swap it with? Something better?<\/strong> I don’t think so.<\/p>\n

SI Clarity can have Black Spots too<\/h2>\n

\nNow this may be surprising, but not all Black Carbon Spots show up in an I Clarity Diamond. Sometimes you’ll be able to see them in an SI Clarity<\/strong> (SI1 Clarity or SI2 Clarity) Diamond as well.<\/p>\n

\nGranted, these Black Spots will be much smaller and microscopic, but they can indeed be black<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nUsually if a Black Spot is in an SI Clarity Diamond, you will never see them with the naked eye… Except for one exception…<\/strong><\/p>\n

SI2 Clarity Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\nSI2 Clarity is the one Clarity that separates eye-visible Inclusions (I1, I2 and I3) from invisible Inclusions (SI1 and higher).<\/p>\n

\nThis one Category (SI2) splits the two and sometimes you can still see small Black Spots from the side view<\/strong> (looking at the stone from the side, not the top). See image below…<\/p>\n

\"Inclusion<\/p>\n

\nSo the rule of thumb is, if you can see Flaws by looking straight down into your Diamond, it’s safe to say it’s an I Clarity Diamond (unless you have bionic eyes<\/strong> and can see microscopic inclusions).<\/p>\n

Can Black Spots Grow?<\/h2>\n

\nFlaws and Imperfections in a Diamond will never grow, shrink, appear of disappear. They are permanent and will never move<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nSome people claim that Black Spots weren’t in their Diamond the day they bought it, but I beg to differ<\/strong>. They are seriously mistaken<\/strong>. Just because they didn’t see the flaws doesn’t mean they weren’t there.<\/p>\n

\nIf they had microscoped the Diamond at the time of purchase, they would have seen the Spots<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nAnother simple clue would have been the Clarity. If you buy an I Clarity Diamond… You’re buying eye-visible Inclusions!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nGet out a Microscope<\/a> or 10x Jewelers Loupe<\/a> and check it out…<\/p>\n

\nIf you don’t see Black Spots, that’s good<\/strong>. It can still have other things that make it an I Clarity: Fractures, Clouds, Pinpoints, Lines, Cracks, Cavities, Nicks…<\/p>\n

\nOne reason why Black Spots show up where there weren’t none before is this:<\/p>\n

The Diamond is Dirty!<\/h2>\n

\nWhen your Diamond gets dirty, dust and debris on the outside of the Diamond block light<\/strong> from entering or exiting the stone. No Light = No Sparkle!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nWhen your Diamond doesn’t sparkle, you’ll see more Flaws<\/strong>. Those beautiful flashes of white light and colored light do a great job at masking flaws and hiding spots.<\/p>\n

\nSo keep your Diamond clean and your flaws may stay unseen<\/strong>. ;)<\/p>\n

Can you Remove Black Spots?<\/h2>\n

\nThere is a technique in the Jewelry Industry that removes Carbon Spots. It’s called Laser Drilling and Fracture Filling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Laser Drilling<\/h2>\n

\nLaser Drilling is where they literally drill a hole<\/strong> into the Diamond (usually through the Pavilion<\/strong>) all the way into the Black Spot where they will burn out or dissolve the Inclusion out leaving nothing but a Cavity (and tube) in its place. See image below…<\/p>\n

\n\"Laser<\/p>\n

Fracture Filling<\/h2>\n

\nSometimes they’ll then fill this Cavity<\/strong> with a clear substance that makes the hole blend in<\/strong> with the rest of the Diamond. That’s called Fracture Filling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nThese procedures can raise the Clarity level<\/strong> of a Diamond. It can take an I Clarity Diamond all the way up to SI Clarity. The problem is, this tube and cavity can also weaken the Diamond’s structure<\/strong> and make it vulnerable to chipping or breaking.<\/p>\n

\nWhat’s worse is this:<\/strong> If this process isn’t disclosed <\/strong>at the time of purchase, then it’s actually called FRAUD!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nFracture Filling MUST <\/strong>be stated upon purchase. That way you’ll know you’re buying a Diamond that’s been Clarity Enhanced (which should make the Diamond cheaper<\/strong>). The Jewelry Industry frowns <\/strong>upon this process because some people are purchasing altered stones and don’t know it. If you know it’s been enhanced and have no problems with it, all is good<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Hide Black Spots<\/h2>\n

\nYes there are ways to hide a Black Spot… Well, almost<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nIf the spot falls on the outside edge of your Diamond, you can easily cover it with a Prong<\/strong> or part of the Mounting (like a Bezel Mounting). See image below…<\/p>\n

\n\"Mounting<\/p>\n

\nThis is a great way to remove sightly Inclusions<\/strong> and no one will even know they existed.<\/p>\n

\nIf the Dark Inclusion falls towards the center of the stone, it gets pretty impossible to divert attention away from it. The simplest way is to just keep your Diamond clean so the sparkles block as many flaws as possible.<\/p>\n

\nSome Inclusions are just too big and too obvious<\/strong> to hide. Some Inclusions in the wrong spot can actually replicate and look like 8 Inclusions<\/strong> instead. The Pavilion can act like a fun house full of mirrors<\/strong> and turn one Inclusion into many!<\/p>\n

\n\"Diamond<\/p>\n

\nYou’ll either have to accept these flaws (live with them<\/strong>), or upgrade.<\/p>\n

Upgrade your Diamond<\/h2>\n

\nI’d suggest getting into an SI1 Clarity Diamond (or higher) if you want to get rid of all visible Flaws and Inclusions.<\/p>\n

\nOr, if you haven’t had your Diamond long, maybe the Jeweler that you bought it from will allow you to exchange it for a better quality one?<\/p>\n

\nBecause, let’s face it, most people don’t realize what they’ve bought until it’s too late.<\/p>\n

\nOnly when they notice the Black Spots do they suddenly have an interest in Clarity. That’s why I always stress “Microscope every Diamond BEFORE you buy it!<\/strong>“<\/p>\n

\nMake sure you understand what an I Clarity Diamond is. Make sure you learn about Inclusions and Flaws and reading Diamond Plots.<\/p>\n

\nAbove all else… Make sure you buy a Certified Diamond!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Certified Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\nCertified Diamonds pretty much guarantee that the quality listed on the report is the quality of Diamond you’re buying.<\/p>\n

\nCertification is a MUST!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nAnd here’s one more good point:<\/strong> Most Diamonds that you find on the market that are GIA Certified<\/strong> (the best in my opinion) are going to be SI1 Clarity or higher anyways. Why?<\/strong> Because Certification costs money and it’s not really worth it to Certify low grade stones… Unless it’s got a really good Cut<\/a> or Color<\/a> or Carat Weight<\/a> – Something to offset it with.<\/p>\n

\nWhen you buy higher quality, you want to be assured it’s high quality. But if you buy low quality, well, you already know it’s low. Why spend more money finding that out?<\/p>\n

My Advice<\/h2>\n

\nThe best Spot remover is preventive medicine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nBuy SI1 Clarity or higher and always buy Certified!<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThat way your fiancee won’t be trying to rub those ugly Black Spots<\/strong> away.<\/p>\n

\nYou want a Diamond she’ll be proud <\/strong>of. So don’t buy a stone riddled with Spots.<\/p>\n

\nBecause Diamonds are FOREVER…<\/strong><\/p>\n

And so are the FLAWS! :)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What are Black Spots in a Diamond? Black Spots, or more commonly referred to as, Black Carbon Spots, are Crystal Inclusions that formed in a Diamond when the Diamond was born. Black Spots (also called [Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,7,29,3,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-certification","category-clarity","category-diamond-guide","category-diamonds","category-engagement"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4236"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4236"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4236\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}