---
title: "Inclusion: meaning in gemology"
description: "An inclusion is a clarity characteristic inside a diamond, or one that reaches the surface from inside."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/inclusion
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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

# Inclusion

Also called inclusions, internal characteristic

An inclusion is a clarity characteristic inside a diamond, or one that reaches the surface from inside.

## In more detail

Small crystals can be trapped while a diamond grows, and the crystal itself can grow irregularly. Crystals, pinpoints, clouds, needles and feathers are inclusions.

## On a grading report

Named in the key to symbols. On GIA's plot most inclusions are red. Cavities, indented naturals, knots, etch channels and laser drill holes are red and green.

## Related terms

- [Blemish](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/blemish): A blemish is a clarity characteristic confined to the surface of a diamond.
- [Crystal](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/crystal-inclusion): A crystal is a mineral crystal contained in a diamond.
- [Pinpoint](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/pinpoint): A pinpoint is a very small crystal inside a diamond that looks like a tiny dot at 10x.
- [Feather](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/feather): A feather is the general trade term for a break in a gemstone. It often looks white and feathery.
- [Cloud](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/cloud): A cloud is many tightly grouped pinpoints that are too small to see one by one but together look hazy.
- [Clarity grade](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/clarity-grade): The clarity grade says how free a diamond is of inclusions (inside) and blemishes (on the surface) at 10x magnification. GIA's scale has 11 grades in six categories, from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3).

## Learn more

- [The diamond clarity scale explained, from FL to I3](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/four-cs/diamond-clarity-scale)
- [The clarity plot: how to read the inclusion map on a report](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/grading-reports/diamond-clarity-plot)

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