H Color SI2 diamond plot

This H color SI2 diamond contains several white crystal inclusions, shown as red circles in the clarity plot. At first glance, the plot suggests that the main inclusions are located off to the side, outside the table area. However, in the actual diamond photo, a white crystal appears closer to the center. This kind of mismatch can happen because clarity plots are two-dimensional and do not account for depth or visual angle. What seems like a minor side inclusion on paper can appear more centered depending on where it reflects through the facets.

Keep in mind that a clarity plot shows the inclusion’s actual location inside the diamond, but reflections and depth can make it appear in a different spot when viewed in person. That’s why high-resolution images and videos are essential for judging eye cleanliness.

Even so, the inclusion here remains subtle. The crystal blends in with the light return of the stone and doesn’t interrupt its sparkle. This is a great example of why white crystal inclusions are often not a problem. Because they are colorless or faint, they tend to reflect light rather than absorb it, making them much harder to spot without magnification. In this case, most viewers would find the diamond eye-clean, especially once it is mounted in a ring.

This also shows why photos and videos are so important when assessing clarity. A diamond with several inclusions on paper can still look clean in person if those inclusions are small, white, and tucked away in less visible areas.