Indentation marks and edge damage arise similarly as a result of impact or pressure.
They occur as tiny white dots or star-shaped "cavities" on the facets or their edges. as well as on the edge of the culet (Fig 339 and 340) Occasionally they do not remain only as surface features, but penetrate through the surface as tiny cleavage cracks; and then rank as internal features.
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| Fig 339 Small indentation mark in the table | Fig 340 Damaged edges of pavilion, facets |
Edge damage can be observed particularly on small brilliants which have been stored with other stones in a stone paper, where it resulted from the mutual friction caused by their differing directions of hardness (Fig 341)
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| Fig 341 Distinctly damaged edges | Fig 342 A light scratch on the table |
Scratches are fine white straight or curved lines on the surface of the diamond, which arise from contact with other diamonds (Fig 342). They can easily be removed by re-polishing and do not influence the quality of the polish unduly.
| Nicks and fractures | Polishing marks |