---
title: "Feather: meaning in gemology"
description: "A feather is the general trade term for a break in a gemstone. It often looks white and feathery."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/feather
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Clarity characteristics

# Feather

Also called feathers

A feather is the general trade term for a break in a gemstone. It often looks white and feathery.

## In more detail

A feather can reflect light and flash bright as the stone turns. A fracture filling can be put into a surface-reaching feather. GIA advises caution with ultrasonic and steam cleaning for stones with feathers.

## 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

- [Fracture filling](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/fracture-filling): Fracture filling is a clarity treatment that injects a glass-like filler into a crack to make it less visible.
- [Bearded girdle](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/bearded-girdle): A bearded girdle has very small feathers that run from the girdle surface into the stone. They can come from the cutting process.
- [Bruise](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/bruise): A bruise is a tiny area of impact damage with very small, root-like feathers. It usually sits at a facet junction.
- [Inclusion](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/inclusion): An inclusion is a clarity characteristic inside a diamond, or one that reaches the surface from inside.

## Learn more

- [The diamond clarity scale explained, from FL to I3](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/four-cs/diamond-clarity-scale)
- [Moissanite vs diamond: wear, care and cleaning](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/diamond-vs-moissanite/moissanite-vs-diamond-durability-and-care)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)