What are Clarity Enhanced Diamonds?
There are a few ways to enhance the clarity of diamonds and gems.
One method of enhancing diamonds and gems is known as fracture filling.
This is a process in which gems are exposed to a molten glasslike material
which fills surface flaws and cracks making
the stones appear
to be more perfect than in their natural state.
Another process is laser drilling.
This is a process in which diamonds
with carbon
deposits
are drilled with a laser to remove their flaw(s), improving their
appearance.
These sound like good ideas until you consider the down side to enhanced
diamonds.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will not certify the clarity or
the
color because the filling process is not permanent.
Fracture filling eliminates a gemstone’s ability to withstand heat.
Many jewelers will not be responsible for damage to these diamonds if the
customer does not disclose to them that the diamond has been treated.
As for selling fracture filled and laser drilled diamonds Randy’s Jewelry does
not sell them.
At this time, we feel that the future of treated diamonds is
unclear enough for
our
firm to stay away from them.
If you are not sure if you own a treated
diamond,
many jewelers have members on their staff who can tell you if you do or do not.
At our store, Randy has completed a GIA fracture filled diamond course
so that he could help customers with identification.
We do jewelry appraisals for a minimal fee of $30 and $15 for each
additional item.
We offer quick turn around time and can sometimes do them while you wait (except
Saturdays).
We will always try to detect fracture filling.