|
|
|
|
Diamond Clarity Enhancement
Diamond Clarity Enhancement
Treatments
Diamond clarity refers to the degree
of transparency in the gemstone. If
the number of flaws is less it
indicates higher clarity and vice
versa. Gems with more than 80%
clarity are very rare in nature.
Today, with new modern techniques it
is possible to remove or reduce
flaws and boost the clarity of
natural diamonds. Mechanical
treatments are widely used to
enhance diamond clarity by removing
the unwanted external and internal
flaws from the stone.
Laser Drilling
 This enhancement
treatment technique has been found
way back in 1980. Since then it has
been successfully used for enhancing
the clarity of diamonds. In this
method, first a coating of amorphous
carbon or any other energy-absorbent
matter is applied on the stone's
surface. This is done because a
diamond is transparent and with the
help of this coating the laser beam
passes through the stone easily.
After the coating is applied,
infrared laser having the wavelength
of about 1060nm is inserted to drill
tiny holes inside the gemstone. The
size of these holes could be between
0.005-0.2 millimeters. The laser
beam in these holes reaches the
inclusion and burns it. The gemstone
then is immersed in chemical
solution to dissolve the flaws. The
solution could be sulfuric acid or
iron oxide. Once the imperfections
are removed the holes are re-filled
with the clear solution that makes
the visibility of holes almost
negligible.
Laser Drilling Leftover Marks The
holes made in the stone are so small
that it has to be seen only through
jeweler's microscopic loupe. One can
spot these holes as very small white
dots on the gemstone's surface.
Advantages of Laser Drilling This
method is widely used because it is
permanent. The inclusions are
removed forever and the durability
and sturdiness of Diamond is
maintained. The final look with
respect to cut and shape does not
change.
Fracture Filling This treatment was
also developed during the same time
as Laser Drilling. It is used for
filling the crack with the
transparent glass-like solution. The
solution used for concealing the
flaws of the gemstone has a very low
melting point and refractive index
equal to that of diamond. The cracks
do exist after the filling but due
to the outer optical coating it
becomes imperceptible to the normal
glance. However, it can be easily
noticed under the magnification.
Unfortunately this method is not
permanent. The specially formulated
glass filling can be eroded when the
gemstone comes into direct contact
with the hot sun. The ultraviolet
rays emitted from the sunlight are
powerful enough to eat away the
filling. Even at the time of routine
repairs the heat produced can also
lead to glass filling worn out of
the gem. The slight heat produced
from the jeweler's torch can also
melt the filling. Also, cleaning of
jewelry having the fracture filled
might give the similar results. The
glass filling melts at very low
temperature.
Fracture Filling Leftover Marks
While filling the cracks with the
glass-like solution there are some
air bubbles that get trapped because
glass is transparent. These bubbles
are either seen individually or it
gets grouped near by one another
creating the cloud image. This is
the most common left over sign of
fracture filling clarity enhancement
treatment. Secondly there are some
flow lines within the glass. These
lines are also called as flashes as
they produce flash effects. These
are referred to as such because the
lines contain some light colours and
it creates the effect when the
gemstone is rotated. The colour
varies from yellow, orange to
electric blue or purple. The colour
depends on the lighting conditions.
The Gemological Institute of America
(GIA) suggests to look in for the
unfilled cracks on the gemstone's
surface from the perpendicular angle
to the fracture's plane while the
cracks filled after the enhancement
process are more clearly visible
when viewed from the parallel
perspective to the filled fracture's
plane. This treatment is only
recommended for stones of higher
carat weight as the glass filling
lasts longer. The small gemstone may
not have fruitful results of this
treatment.
The clarity enhancement processes
might be picking up with the passage
of time but are not completely
certified from GIA. The Diamonds
that under go any of these two
treatments are referred as "clarity
enhanced Diamonds" or "fracture
filled Diamonds". The price of these
enhanced stones is much less than
the natural untreated diamonds.
Among the two processes the laser
drilled gems are priced higher than
the fracture filled diamonds as
first treatment is permanent and
second is temporary.
The acceptance of the diamonds that
undergo these treatments is growing
but problem creeps in when
untruthful jewelers sell these
clarity enhanced gemstone at the
price of original diamonds to the
innocent buyers. It is buyer's duty
to be careful while buying but
jewelers must also maintain some
ethics. The buyer should be informed
which treatment has been used for
the clarity enhancement of the gem
and must be asked for the
appropriate price.
The market is full of numerous
attractive diamonds. Depending upon
one's pocket the decision could be
taken whether to go in for the
natural flawless diamond, gemstone
with natural flaws or stones with
enhanced clarity. It all comes with
a price difference. The gem that has
been processed to remove the flaws
certainly looks of higher quality
unless it is seen under magnifying
loupe. Once it is mounted in the
jewelry it is hard to tell the
difference with the naked eyes. It
can be a good option if it is priced
accordingly and the jeweler is
truthful and reputable. Enhanced or
natural, a diamond is precious and
to own it gives one great
satisfaction and happiness. So the
choice is yours!!
Related Links :
|
| |
Belly Button Piercing
The Egyptians, the Indians and many other cultures pierced this humble button to show the significance of the person sporting a pierced navel - Royalty, Warriors, exceptional Beauty. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
