Inclusion management is one of the most challenging aspects of gemstone faceting. Learn when to remove and when to keep inclusions.
6 Minute Read
When dealing with included gemstones, faceters have to estimate two things:
You’ll have to make a choice: remove it or leave it.
Despite the impulse to just cut away the inclusion, many times, leaving it in a gem is the least costly inclusion management solution, both in terms of labor and the value of the finished gem. To make your decision, you’ll need to consider the inclusion type and both its visibility and location.
An inclusion is anything that will interfere with the free passage of light. Although these are often solid materials, you may also face fractures and veils — partially healed internal fractures similar to fingerprints. The type of inclusion will make a difference in inclusion management.
Faceters frequently leave fractured areas in emeralds and diamonds. However, this is rarely acceptable in other gems.
Fractures represent a weak area in the gem that’s prone to breakage. In almost every case, you should remove fractures from your rough. You should leave a fracture in a gem only on the very rare…
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
When dealing with included gemstones, faceters have to estimate two things:
You’ll have to make a choice: remove it or leave it.
Despite the impulse to just cut away the inclusion, many times, leaving it in a gem is the least costly inclusion management solution, both in terms of labor and the value of the finished gem. To make your decision, you’ll need to consider the inclusion type and both its visibility and location.
An inclusion is anything that will interfere with the free passage of light. Although these are often solid materials, you may also face fractures and veils — partially healed internal fractures similar to fingerprints. The type of inclusion will make a difference in inclusion management.
Faceters frequently leave fractured areas in emeralds and diamonds. However, this is rarely acceptable in other gems.
Fractures represent a weak area in the gem that’s prone to breakage. In almost every case, you should remove fractures from your rough. You should leave a fracture in a gem only on the very rare…
Inclusion management is one of the most challenging aspects of gemstone faceting. Learn when to remove and when to keep inclusions.
“I have never known or heard of an organization that offers so much for its members, and at such a low cost.”
— Ernest Roisch, Rainbow Rocks LTD
That's less than $0.01 per article. Get instant access to 1,700+ premium articles, courses, and gem pricing data.
