Enhanced Diamonds Vs. Nonenhanced Diamonds
Real, perfect diamonds are rare. Today's technology has enabled jewelers and gemologists to enhance a diamond's color and clarity, creating an artificial "perfect" diamond. Does this Spark an idea?
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Diamond Clarity
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A diamond's clarity is its perfection based on a scale of measure from from "FL" (flawless) to "I" (imperfect). Common clarity flaws appear on the surface or inside the diamond. Pinpoints or carbons are small white or black dots on the stone's surface. Feathers are small internal cracks that look like broken glass. Clouds are internal, hazy areas comprised of small crystals. A crystal growth is a small internal growth that looks like a small diamond inside the larger one.
Diamond Color
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Diamonds are rated on a scale from "D" (absolutely colorless) to "Z" (noticeable color). Naturally colored diamonds are found in shades of yellow, orange, blue, violet, red, pink, purple, brown and green.
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Enhanced Clarity
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To remove flaws--or "enhance"--a diamond, jewelers insert a microscopic amount of material into the diamond, directly into the imperfection, using a vacuum process of heat and pressure. The material causes light shining through the diamond to pass through rather than bounce off the imperfection, rendering the imperfection invisible.
Enhanced Color
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A high-temperature electron beam is passed over a diamond. The temperature of the beam determines the end color of the diamond. The color change is permanent.
Price
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Enhanced diamonds are priced far lower than natural diamonds. Most people cannot tell the difference between an enhanced and a nonenhanced diamond. The enhancements are permanent and do not weaken the diamond, and most jewelers offer money-back guarantees on their enhancements.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Stephen Durham
