Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

[Mischa26]

Hi

I was wondering if someone can explain to me what a clarity enhanced diamond is? I am pretty ignorant to this and wanted to know some information if anyone can share.


Thanks

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Clarity enhanced diamonds are diamonds that have been "fixed" so to speak to make the clarity appear better than what it was. This can be done by laser drilling and fracture filling. If you have an enhanced diamond, you must always let the jeweler know prior to repairs because not knowing could cause the enhancement damage.

Here is a link to a previous discussion about them:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-enhanced-diamonds.54986/

 

[CaptAubrey]

Many diamonds have cracks that are open to the surface. Usually these cracks are factors in setting the clarity grade. The clarity enhancement process (also known as "fracture filling" or "glass filling") injects molten glass into the cracks to make them less visible. The cracks are still there; they''re just harder to see. Many labs won''t issue clarity grades for these diamonds because the process isn''t permanent--if the diamond is heated enough, the glass wil come out. (However, some of the companies that do it offer free lifetime re-filling).

Clarity enhanced diamonds are usually substantially cheaper than untreated diamonds of the same apparent clarity, so they can be an option for people on a budget or who want a bigger stone than they can afford from untreated diamonds. However, many people in the trade don''t like them and won''t handle them.

 

[Mischa26]

Thank you

That helps a lot

 

[Lorelei]

Also some diamonds are laser treated, dark inclusions can be minimised in this manner. As far as I am aware, GIA will grade these diamonds where they won't with fracture filled. Also I believe with a lasered stone, special care with handling and cleaning isn't needed unlike fracture filled.

You can read more here on clarity enhanced diamonds

 

[CaptAubrey]

Date: 2/27/2008 4:43:06 AM
Author: Lorelei
Also some diamonds are laser treated, dark inclusions can be minimised in this manner. As far as I am aware, GIA will grade these diamonds where they won''t with fracture filled. Also I believe with a lasered stone, special care with handling and cleaning isn''t needed unlike fracture filled.

That''s correct. Laser drilling is a permanent treatment, so GIA and other labs will grade lasered stones. The process involves burning a hole down to a dark inclusion and then boiling the stone in acid so that the inclusion is bleached or removed.

By the way, Jonathan''s tutorial is incorrect in one respect: The FTC does indeed require disclosure of laser drilling. Any treatment that affects the value of a stone has to be disclosed.