Clarity Enhanced Diamonds - Good or Bad?
This is an educational page that will give you the known facts regarding clarity enhanced gems, particularly Diamonds.
Why are stones enhanced?
All gemstones are enhanced in some way, if only by cutting and polishing them. The simple answer is "to make them as beautiful as they can possibly be". Even a relatively poor stone can be made to look better by enhancing it as long as the durability of the stone is not impaired, as unfortunatly is the case when they are enhanced poorly. When done well, the enhancement is invisible and can even strengthen the original stone. Not only does it look better, it is less likely to fracture or collect dirt, impairing the look of the stone over the years.
How are Stones enhanced?
There are as many ways of enhancing gemstones as there are stones. The more common ways are irradiation, heating, oiling, special cuts and filling.
Many gemstones are irradiated, to change colours or redistribute pigment evenly. Many of the best sapphires have been heated, again to even and develop the colour. There are few if any emeralds that are not oiled. The oil fills up the fractures and cracks of the stone, which are part of the stones natural matrix. A perfect unoiled emerald would realize many times more than a perfect diamond. There are currently only three in existance - an extremely rare stone indeed.
What About Diamonds?
There are three main methods of enhancing diamonds. Many diamonds are irradiated, but the two more contraversial methods are Laser Drilling and Feather Filling.
The first method involves using a precision laser to burn through the stone to vapourise an inclusion, thus enhacing its clarity, though this does leave a void in the stone which in itself affects clarity. Any diamond can have this done and if done well has no effect on the stones strength. The problem is that many times it is not done well and follows lines of weakness instead of crossing them. We do not use laser drilled stones, they are just not consistant enough.
The second method is much rarer, significantly more successful and the only enhanced stones we offer. Firstly, only about 1 diamond in 500 is a suitable candidate for this method. In order to be suitable the cut stone must have a feather (small, fine branched fissure) that is open through one of the facets and contain no other significant inclusions. This is then injected with a special glass-like resin similar to that with which automobile windscreens are repaired. The resin then leaches through the fissure sealing it and, as the resin has a similar refractive index to diamond, renders the fissure almost invisible to anything but high power magnification operated by a seasoned professional. The enhancement is not noticable to the eye, adds very little if anything to the weight of the stone and as a natural weakness has been filled makes the stone stronger than it originally was. This method cannot make the resounding differences that laser drilling can and will increase a stones clarity by one or two grades only, thus the orignal stone was that much better than a typical laser drilled stone.
So... is it good or bad?
If performed well by the filling method, a good stone can be made great, with all the fire and brilliance you would expect along with increased durabilty.
If done poorly by the laser drilling method, the stone can look greatly enhanced but can have serious structural weaknesses.
An enhanced stone will never be a natural stone of the same clarity, but you can have a piece of jewellery that will stun your friends and family. Only you will know that it was enhanced. If performed well it will last a lifetime and give immense pleasure. As with many things in life, the end result is neither good nor bad! its how you get there that mekes the difference.
How do I tell a good job from the bad?
If you buy your enhanced diamond jewellery from us, each piece is labelled ("e") and has been thoroughly inspected by a GIA qualified gemologist. They have certified it as suitable for jewellery with no ill effects from the enhancement. If they have not, we don't offer it for sale. Follow a few simple rules, that should be applied to jewellery anyway, and your stone will last far longer than you will. These items are future legacy pieces that WILL stand the test of time.
Should I take precautions with an enhanced stone?
There are some simple rules that should be observed as with any gemstone.
1) Do not clean the stone with acid or ammonia based cleaners and remove before using household chemicals (not that most people would dream of cleaning anything wearing a 1ct+ diamond).
2)Do not expose the stone to direct heat of 1500 Degrees Celcius or higher. If you have your piece altered tell your jeweller that the stone is enhanced. Any reputable jeweller will understand this and take the necessary action.
3)Clean the piece with soap and water only using a soft brush (an old toothbrush is ideal) to help remove dirt. This is all any jewellery requires.
What else should I do?
Love your jewellery! Jewellery is presented to you... or even bought by you! to make you feel special. A gemstone is a rare and beautiful item. Respect it and it will last a lifetime and beyond.