All About Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

Contrary to popular belief that diamonds are forever and unchanging, diamonds are available in many forms. The more desirable diamonds are naturally brilliant, while others will appear a little cloudy to the trained eye. A diamond's clarity depends on its sparkle and natural brilliance.

Consumers these days can buy what is known as "clarity enhanced diamonds". These diamonds are those that have been altered to appear more brilliant and sparkly than they originally were. Consumers should be aware of the phenomenon of clarity enhanced diamonds, and educate themselves on the pros and cons of altering naturally cloudy diamonds to seem more brilliant.

How a clarity enhanced diamond is created

There are currently two major methods used by the diamond industry to create clarity enhanced diamonds. The first involves treating the diamond with a laser; a process known as laser drilling. In this process, a laser beam is used to perforate the surface of the diamond, resulting in a tiny hole in the stone's surface. Further laser drilling is done through this hole to remove any inclusions or marks inside the diamond itself. In some cases an acid may be used to flush out any imperfections inside the diamond. While the vast majority of laser treated diamonds look perfectly natural to the average consumer, the process of laser drilling leaves many minuscule trails inside the diamond.

The second method used to create clarity enhanced diamonds is something called fracture filling.

This involves filling in any cracks in the flawed diamond with a clear, hard substrate. The average buyer will typically not notice these fillings, but they are immediately apparent to the trained eye. It should be mentioned that fracture filling, unlike laser treating, is not a permanent fix and future deterioration should be expected throughout the life of the diamond.

How do clarity enhanced diamonds compare in value to unaltered stones?

The diamond's long term value is a very important principle for diamond buyers. Diamonds have the reputation of lasting forever, and many people buy diamonds under the impression that the stone's value will not diminish throughout their lives. Keeping this in mind, clarity enhanced diamonds should not cost the same for a naturally perfect one. Clarity enhanced diamonds are not naturally perfect, and have been made to appear flawless through artificial means. Consumers should not be expected to pay the same amount for a clarity enhanced diamonds as they would a naturally perfect stone.

Even in the realm of clarity enhanced diamonds there are differences in value and desirability.

Laser treated diamonds are typically worth much more than fractured filled ones. The reasons for this are manifold; laser drilling is a more state of the art treatment requiring greater skill and precision equipment thereby producing a more perfect end product. Fracture filled diamonds are likely to erode or darken over time, something laser treated diamonds do not suffer. For all these reasons and more, laser treated diamonds are a better deal when it comes to clarity enhanced diamonds.

Should I Buy a Clarity Enhanced Diamond?

Consumers need to consider a few things when deciding whether or not to buy clarity enhanced diamonds. If you are looking for purity and natural perfection in your diamond, than clearly an enhanced diamond will not be suitable for you. If you are looking for a diamond that looks good 99% of the time and will save you a bit of money then clarity enhanced diamonds are the way to go. Although clarity enhanced diamonds are not naturally perfect, the treatments done make them as brilliant as the best all-natural stone.