Diamond Inclusions – Cloud

Cloud is a very common yet special type of clarity inclusion inside diamonds. It may barely change a diamond’s look, or it can cause serious problems. So you need to learn about it carefully before buying.

What is a Cloud?

A cloud is not a single dot inclusion. It forms when countless tiny pinpoints gather together. These tiny spots are packed so closely that they look like a hazy mist under a 10x magnifying glass. That is why people name this kind of inclusion “cloud”.

In appearance, a cloud usually shows as a pale grey blurry area with no clear edges. It looks just like a soft fog trapped inside the diamond.

How Clouds Affect Diamonds

The influence of clouds varies a lot. It all depends on their density, size and position inside the stone.

Mild impact (Most common cases)

If a cloud is made of widely spaced tiny pinpoints and covers only a small area, it will not hurt the diamond’s clarity grade or outer look.

It may just make a small part of the stone a little less transparent under magnification. You cannot see it with your naked eye at all. It will not reduce the diamond’s fire and brightness. Such clouds often appear in diamonds graded VS or SI clarity.

Severe impact: Milky diamond

This is the most risky situation you must watch out for.

When a cloud is extremely large and dense, spreading across most parts of the diamond, it creates a milky haze effect. In the trade, we call such stones milky diamonds.

A milky diamond looks foggy all over, as if covered by a thin white mist. Its transparency and shine drop sharply. The stone turns dull and lifeless. It loses sparkle and fire completely.

Milky diamonds never worth their certified clarity grade. For example, a VS2 diamond with heavy cloud may look even worse than a clean I1 diamond. This is a big trap for buyers, and you should try your best to avoid it.

How to Identify Clouds on GIA Reports

A GIA diamond report is the best tool to check cloud risks.

For diamonds over 1 carat, the report includes a detailed clarity plot. On this diagram, large cloud areas are circled with red dash lines. Red marks stand for internal inclusions, and the label next to it will clearly write “Cloud”.

You should pay extra attention to the comments section on the report. This part tells you whether the diamond is likely to turn milky.

If you read notes like Clouds are not shown or Pinpoints are not shown, you need to stay alert. This means there are too many clouds or pinpoints to mark one by one on the plot. In this case, the risk of getting a milky diamond becomes very high.

Practical Tips for Buyers

Do not worry too much about clouds. Most diamonds with cloud inclusions are fine to purchase, especially those graded VS or higher clarity.

Learn to read professional diamond certificates. Always pick diamonds with official reports from GIA, IGI or HRD. When you get the report, check two key parts first.

Look at the clarity plot to see if the cloud covers a large space. Then read the comments line by line. If you find Clouds are not shown or similar words, think twice before you pay.

Choosing a trustworthy seller is also important. Reputable dealers will filter out milky diamonds in advance. You can ask the seller directly whether the stone is free of milky, brown and green tint. It is better to put this promise in writing on your guarantee document.

If possible, check the real diamond in person. Turn the stone under natural light and watch its performance. A good diamond stays clear and sparkly all the time. If it always looks foggy and never shines bright, it definitely has milky issues. For online shopping, ask the seller to send real shooting videos of the diamond.

To sum up, cloud is a clustered inclusion seen in many diamonds. Sparse clouds do no harm, but large and thick clouds are the main cause of milky diamonds, which ruin shine and value. Read GIA clarity plots and comments carefully, and shop with reliable merchants. In this way, you can successfully stay away from problematic milky diamonds.