Diamond Enhancements: Laser drilling

Laser technology has not only brought in a new and easier way to cut diamonds better, it has also helped to enhance diamonds. A technique called laser drilling is popularly employed at microscopic level to remove inclusions/flaws from diamonds . Here a beam of high energy light is used to drill the diamond up to the inclusion, which is then washed out with various chemicals and acids. While laser drilling can substantially improve the look of the diamond, it is important to consider that the drilling may also reduce the durability of the diamond. Current standards also dictate that gemologists reveal to their customers whether a particular stone has been subjected to laser drilling.

Fracture filling

Another common flaw in many diamonds is the presence of fractures or pits. In a large number these can reduce the brilliance of the diamond giving it a cloudy appearance. Fracture filling techniques are popularly employed to fill these cracks with glass like material of similar color. The chosen material for filling often has a refractive index similar to that of diamonds. While this substantially improves the look of the diamond, these treatments are not considered to be of permanent nature. This is because the filler material often melts in high temperatures, like under a jeweler's torch. It is vital that diamond sellers reveal to customers that the diamond has been filled and give advice on how to handle and care for the diamonds.

Color bleaching or High Pressure High Temperature treatments

In order to enhance the colorlessness of slightly colored diamonds, the process of color bleaching has been popularly employed. This process involves recreating high pressure and high temperature environments (you can read in detail in our HPHT diamonds article), in which diamonds were initially formed inside the earth. Treating diamonds with this technique can cause the color to improve by several grades. While on the good side, these treatments are permanent in nature, on the flip side it is hard to detect color bleached diamonds. Many sellers even sell color bleached diamonds for the price of natural ones.

HPHT Pear Shape

Diamond coatings

Besides bleaching color, many methods are also used to add color to diamonds. In this case, colored tinfoil was originally used on the pavilion of the diamond. Once these foiled diamonds were mounted closely on jewelry, it would be difficult to differentiate one from the other. Today high end techniques allow for surface coatings that involve dyes and vacuum films. While these treatments are difficult to detect by naked eye, only experienced gemologists can make out the difference under magnification. However, such coatings are considered fraudulent in nature and must be disclosed to the customer.

Radiation techniques

In these techniques diamonds are irradiated by high energy particles like protons, electrons, neutrons etc. in various ways. These particles alter the crystal lattice of the stone, displacing carbon atoms and producing color centers. Shades of green, black and blue are often obtained after the treatment. Treated diamonds are also subjected to annealing in many cases, whereby bright colors of yellow, orange and pink are also obtained.

How to buy Treated diamonds: Diamond Enhancements

Most diamonds have flaws and many are treated in some way or the other. However it is important to understand how the stones have been treated and whether the price you have paid is justified. These pointers can help you along the right direction.

•·       Purchase your diamonds from trusted sellers only. Established sellers, who have a passion for diamonds, will most likely reveal to you about the diamond than commercial outlets. In is important to note that all sellers featured in our search results are such vendors

•·       Ask the dealer for more information on treated diamonds. Look for visible cracks or fractures in the diamond. Look for neatly drilled holes. If you find slight cracks, then you can be sure that the diamond is not treated. On the other hand if the stone has holes, it could have been laser drilled.

•·       If sellers claim that their diamond is untreated, ask for certification stating so. Alternatively, if the seller states that the diamond is treated, ask for certification regarding the degree of treatment.

•·       Finally, you can also have your diamonds examined by a professional gemologist, who will give accurate information regarding your purchase for a diamnod enhancements.

Diamonds are the purchase of a lifetime. And as customers who compare and shop, you must get the best brilliant stone for your money.

Our experts at Gemisimo are here just to provide you the right guidance and help so that you may purchase the right diamond for yourself generally we avoid showing enhanced diamonds in our search engine but we urge you to ask for a certificate from a responsible source.