A bruise is a tiny area of impact damage with very small, root-like feathers. It usually sits at a facet junction.
In more detail
A bruise comes from a knock, not from the growth of the crystal. GIA lists it among the inclusions.
On a grading report
Drawn in red on the clarity plot of a full GIA report and named in the key to symbols. A Dossier has no plot but can name it in its list of up to four.
Related terms
- Chip: A chip is a shallow opening in the surface, caused by damage. It is usually at the girdle edge, a facet junction or the culet.
- Feather: A feather is the general trade term for a break in a gemstone. It often looks white and feathery.
- Inclusion: An inclusion is a clarity characteristic inside a diamond, or one that reaches the surface from inside.