What does the term 'feather' refer to in diamond terminology?

What does the term 'feather' refer to in diamond terminology?

• A. A color diffusion line
• B. A surface blemish
• C. A surface-reaching crack
• D. A trade term for any break in a diamond

Answer: (D)

Feather describes a fracture-like inclusion inside a diamond with a wispy, feathered appearance. It’s a specific internal irregularity—an internal fracture that can look like branching vanes—rather than a general surface blemish or a color-change feature. Feathers may stay completely within the crystal, but if the fracture reaches the surface, it becomes a surface-reaching feature that can be more noticeable and affect clarity. It’s not a catch-all term for any break in a diamond, and it isn’t a color diffusion line.

Feather describes a fracture-like inclusion inside a diamond with a wispy, feathered appearance. It’s a specific internal irregularity—an internal fracture that can look like branching vanes—rather than a general surface blemish or a color-change feature. Feathers may stay completely within the crystal, but if the fracture reaches the surface, it becomes a surface-reaching feature that can be more noticeable and affect clarity. It’s not a catch-all term for any break in a diamond, and it isn’t a color diffusion line.