Category: Glossary

Type of cleavage inclusion in a diamond with a wispy, feather-like appearance; the feather-like part extends from the origin of the break. Feathers occur along a cleavage plane, or plane of weakness, in a diamond due to directional hardness; they may appear transparent if viewed head on, or bright white if viewed at a 90° angle.

Describes the girdle of a diamond that has been polished with a series of tiny steps or facets  around the circumference or perimeter.

Any positive diamond colour other than white, brown, or grey with a significant level of saturation. Natural fancy colour in diamonds is rare and valuable; the colour is caused by either impurities or structural abnormalities. Three factors to consider when grading a coloured diamond are body colour, tone, and saturation. Examples of fancy colours, or ‘fancies’: yellow diamonds, orange diamonds, pink diamonds, red diamonds, blue diamonds, purple diamonds, and green diamonds. Examples of non-fancy colours are grey and brown.

Any one of the flat, polished surfaces on a diamond.

1 Table

2 Bezel facets

3 Star Facets

4 Upper-Girdle Facet

5 Lower-Girdle Facets

6 Pavilion Main Facets

Facets added or remaining on a polished diamond in excess of the number usually found on a particular cutting style. Extra facets are added to remove surface imperfections, and inclusions located near the surface, without losing sizeable carat weight. Extra facets affect the polish grade of a diamond.