Essentially a hole in the diamond's surface, cavities can be found in a range of sizes and locations across the stone. Depending on its placement, a cavity could affect the overall durability of the stone. Those on the table are likely to be most visible when set in jewelry, compromising the diamond's value and quality.

Sometimes created during the cutting of a diamond, chips are shallow indentations at the surface of the stone. Clarity plot reports will indicate where they are located. If at the edge of the diamond, it may be set so as to not be visible. A bruise is a chip that has caused feathering at its edges.

Clouds are groupings of extremely small inclusions that cannot be distinguished from each other  even under magnification. They appear as a translucent cloud inside the diamond, and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Because of this, they largely do not affect the clarity grade.

Crystals of other minerals can be included within the larger structure of a diamond. While often a crystal will be a smaller diamond within the diamond, they can also be red garnets, green emeralds, etc. Dark crystals of carbon can also be common. Crystals are found in a variety of sizes, colors and locations. If they are colorful and visible, they may affect the clarity and value of the diamond.

Feathering is a fissure within a diamond that was likely created billions of years ago, when the diamond was first forming. The location and size of a feather can affect the clarity grade of its diamond. If located towards the edges, prongs can easily hide a feather. They are only considered a durability issue if found close to the girdle, or as an opening on the surface of the stone.

A knot is a diamond crystal inclusion that breaks to the surface of the finished diamond. Under intense magnification, it should be clear where the difference is between the inclusion and the larger stone. During polishing, drag lines can be created as the polishing wheel travels across the inclusion. The knot may be raised above the rest of its facet: depending on its size, you may be able to feel it as you run your finger over the diamond.

Technically a blemish - as it appears on the outside of the diamond's structure - a natural is an unpolished part of the diamond. Originally part of the diamond rough's skin', these are usually found on or around the girdle. If they travel to the crown or pavilion, they will be considered Indented Naturals. While included in a clarity plot, they do not affect the overall quality or durability of a diamond. Unlike other blemishes or inclusions, Naturals have always been there and are mostly appreciated as a reminder of the diamond's organic history.

A needle is similar to a feather inclusion - but with only one elongated, very narrow line. They do not typically affect the light return from the diamond, and can be either white or transparent. Consider that some needles can be much longer, and potentially more visible, than others.

Typically, a pinpoint inclusion is what separates a VVS1 diamond from an IF. A tiny speck within the diamond, they are usually only detectable under high magnification. They do not affect the overall durability of the diamond.

Twinning wisp (sometimes called Intergrowth) is the result of growth defects within the diamond's crystal structure. Different inclusions that have twisted together, they are most commonly found in fancy cuts such as pear-shaped diamonds. With a white striped appearance, these groups of inclusions are generally more detectable than others, such as graining. They are therefore typically found in diamonds of lower clarity grades, such as SI1.