What does a scratch on a gem typically look like?

A scratch on a gem typically appears as a fine, curved or straight, white line due to the way it disrupts the surface of the gemstone. When a harder material comes into contact with a softer gem, it can create a fracture that manifests visually as a line. This line may reflect light differently than the surrounding areas, giving it a whitish appearance.

This visible mark results from the removal of material along the scratch line, which can disrupt the gem's finish and clarity. Conditions such as lighting and the surface texture of the gem can influence how prominent these scratches appear, but they generally exhibit that characteristic thin, linear look.

In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the appearance of scratches. For example, a series of dots or bumps could be indicative of a textured surface rather than a scratch, a colored mark might suggest a stain or an inclusion, and an opaque layer would typically refer to structural characteristics like cloudiness or a coating, rather than a mechanical abrasion.