Clarity Enhanced Diamonds
About Diamond Clarity When shopping for a diamond, one of the terms you will hear is diamond clarity. Clarity
grading designations refer to how many imperfections are inside or on the surface of the gem.
A perfect diamond with no flaws is very rare, however most diamonds with minor imperfections
appear flawless unless under the microscope.
Inclusions-Internal imperfections in the diamond such as small cracks or spots.
Blemishes-External flaws such as nicks and scratches.
Types of treatments:
Laser drilling-A laser beam is drilled into the diamond and removes inclusions.
Some inclusions are dissolved with chemicals placed in the tunnels.
Problems- Laser drilling can leave lines and cracks under a microscope.
Fracture filling-Cracks are filled in with a clear, glasslike substance that never disappears
but is invisible to the naked eye. Problems- Sunlight and heat can erode the filler or darken
the color. Also, bubbles can dry in the diamond creating a cloudy appearance.
One last tip- be wary of terms such as "enhanced" which mean the same thing as treated,
only it sounds better. Know what you are buying and only shop at jewelers that disclose
everything you need to know about the diamond so you can make an educated decision.
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