Which statement distinguishes a blemish from an inclusion?

• A. A blemish is internal; an inclusion is surface
• B. A blemish is a surface-reaching feature; an inclusion may be internal or extend from the surface
• C. A blemish is color-related; an inclusion is not
• D. A blemish is always a fracture

Answer: (B)

The key idea is where the flaw is located and how it reaches the surface. A blemish is a surface-reaching feature on a polished gemstone—something that can be seen on the surface itself. An inclusion is a material or defect that formed inside the crystal; it can be entirely internal, or it can extend from inside to the surface, reaching the exterior. So a blemish is defined by its surface reach, while an inclusion is defined by being internal (though it may extend to the surface). That’s why this option is the correct distinction. The other statements mix up location or characteristics (for example, blemishes aren’t limited to fractures, and color-related aspects aren’t the defining difference).