Which of the following would be considered a sign of fracture filling?

• A. A visible scratch on the surface.
• B. A uniform color tint across the facet.
• C. A change in the diamond's weight.
• D. A crackled texture.

Answer: (D)

Fracture filling leaves a distinct visual cue: a crackled texture where the filling material has been injected into fractures and then set. That network of fine lines or a crazed appearance is the giveaway because the resin or glass fills the cracks but doesn’t recreate the exact natural crack pattern, so you end up with a visible crack-filled look on the facet. In practice, this texture is most noticeable under magnification and can catch light differently, signaling that a fracture was repaired with filler.

Other options don’t fit as cleanly. A surface scratch is just a blemish on the coating or surface and doesn’t indicate fracture filling. A uniform color tint across a facet suggests color alteration methods like diffusion or coating rather than fracture filling. A change in weight isn’t a reliable diagnostic and isn’t something that would consistently indicate filler.