What is a Clarity Enhanced Diamond?
When shopping for diamonds, you may come across the term clarity enhanced diamond. But what exactly does this mean, and how does it affect the quality and appearance of the diamond? Understanding clarity enhanced diamonds is essential for making an informed decision, especially if you are looking for a beautiful stone that fits your budget. In this blog, we will dive into what clarity enhancement entails, how it impacts a diamond, and what you should consider before purchasing one.
What is a Clarity Enhanced Diamond?
A clarity enhanced diamond is a natural diamond that has undergone a treatment process to improve its clarity. This process targets visible inclusions and blemishes, making them less noticeable to the naked eye. While clarity enhancement does not completely eliminate imperfections, it significantly reduces their visibility, resulting in a more visually appealing diamond.
Types of Clarity Enhancement
The two most common clarity enhancement methods are fracture filling and laser drilling.
1. Fracture Filling
Fracture filling is a process that addresses internal fractures (often referred to as "feathers") within a diamond. These fractures can affect how light travels through the diamond, leading to a diminished sparkle and clarity. The goal of fracture filling is to reduce the visibility of these fractures and restore the diamond's brilliance.
How It Works
Fracture filling involves injecting a clear substance, typically a high-quality resin or glass-like material, into the cracks or fractures inside the diamond. This substance is specially formulated to mimic the optical properties of the diamond, meaning that it reflects and refracts light in a similar way to the surrounding material. The resin fills the open spaces within the fractures, essentially "healing" the visible cracks.
Once injected, the filler bonds with the internal structure of the diamond, filling the fracture and making it much less noticeable. Because the filling has a similar refractive index to the diamond, light can now pass through the previously fractured area without being interrupted. This seamless passage of light creates the illusion of higher clarity.
Impact on Appearance
The impact of fracture filling on a diamond’s appearance is significant. The filled fractures become almost invisible, allowing the diamond to appear clearer and more brilliant. The diamond can reflect more light because the filled fractures no longer disrupt the light’s path. This treatment is particularly effective for diamonds with noticeable fractures that affect their ability to sparkle.
Fracture filling can make a diamond look nearly flawless to the naked eye. The improvement in clarity can make the diamond look like a higher-grade stone, providing a more radiant and appealing overall appearance without altering the diamond’s natural structure.
Considerations
While fracture filling is effective, it’s important to note that this enhancement is not entirely permanent. The resin used in the process is durable for everyday wear, but it can be damaged under certain conditions. For example, exposure to high heat—such as during repairs that involve soldering or resizing—can cause the filler to degrade or even vaporize, leaving the fractures visible again. Similarly, certain chemicals used during jewelry cleaning can potentially affect the filler.
Because of these considerations, it's essential to inform any jeweler who works on the piece that the diamond has been fracture filled so they can take the appropriate precautions.
2. Laser Drilling
Laser drilling is a clarity enhancement method designed to remove or diminish visible inclusions within the diamond. Unlike fracture filling, which hides imperfections, laser drilling aims to eliminate them.
How It Works
The laser drilling process involves using a high-precision laser to create a tiny, nearly invisible channel from the surface of the diamond to the inclusion (often a dark carbon spot or other internal flaw). Once the channel is created, various techniques can be used to treat the inclusion.
In some cases, the inclusion is vaporized through the laser's heat. In other cases, the inclusion is bleached or dissolved using a special cleaning solution that is injected into the drilled channel. This process lightens or removes the inclusion, leaving behind a clearer internal structure. The drilled channel is typically so small that it’s invisible to the naked eye and does not significantly affect the diamond’s durability.
Impact on Appearance
Laser drilling can greatly improve the visual clarity of a diamond, as it effectively reduces or eliminates inclusions that might otherwise be visible to the naked eye. This treatment is particularly beneficial for diamonds with dark inclusions, which are often more noticeable. After the drilling process, the diamond will exhibit a cleaner, more transparent appearance, as the previously prominent inclusions are either lightened or removed entirely.
Unlike fracture filling, laser drilling does not involve adding foreign materials to the diamond. The result is a more natural appearance, as the diamond’s original structure remains intact, albeit with minor adjustments made to eliminate flaws.
Considerations
Laser drilling is considered a permanent clarity enhancement. Once the inclusion is removed or lightened, the change is irreversible, and the diamond does not require any further maintenance related to the enhancement. Laser-drilled diamonds are just as durable as untreated diamonds, and the tiny channels created during the process do not compromise the stone’s strength.
However, it is important to disclose that a diamond has been laser drilled when buying or selling it. The presence of laser drilling can impact the diamond’s value, as it indicates that the stone required treatment to improve its clarity.
Comparing the Two Methods
Both fracture filling and laser drilling offer effective solutions for enhancing diamond clarity, but they operate in different ways and offer distinct advantages.
- Fracture filling is ideal for diamonds with visible internal fractures that disrupt the stone's brilliance. This method fills the fractures with a substance that mimics the diamond’s optical properties, making the imperfections less noticeable. However, fracture filling may require more careful handling, especially in high-heat environments, to prevent the filler from being damaged.
- Laser drilling is better suited for diamonds with dark inclusions that can be lightened or removed. This method is permanent and does not involve any additional materials, so the diamond remains stable and durable. Laser drilling is a more "natural" treatment since it alters the diamond's existing structure rather than introducing foreign substances.
When considering a clarity enhanced diamond, it’s important to weigh the benefits of each method and how they align with your needs. Whether it’s fracture filling or laser drilling, both techniques can significantly improve the appearance of the diamond, offering a more visually stunning stone at a lower price point than an untreated diamond of similar clarity.
How Does Clarity Enhancement Affect a Diamond’s Value?
While clarity enhancement can greatly improve the appearance of a diamond, it does impact the overall value of the stone. Clarity enhanced diamonds are generally priced lower than diamonds that have not been treated. This is because they started with visible imperfections that required treatment to improve their clarity.
However, for many buyers, clarity enhanced diamonds offer an opportunity to purchase a larger or more brilliant stone at a more affordable price. If you're looking for a diamond that looks beautiful without the premium price of a naturally flawless diamond, clarity enhanced options may be worth considering.
How to Care for a Clarity Enhanced Diamond
Caring for a clarity enhanced diamond requires special attention, especially if it has undergone fracture filling. The filler used to improve clarity can be sensitive to certain conditions, particularly heat and chemicals. Here’s how to ensure your diamond stays in top shape:
Caring Considerations for Fracture-Filled Diamonds
Fracture-filled diamonds require more cautious handling due to the nature of the filling material.
- Avoid High Heat: Heat can cause the filler to deteriorate or even vaporize. When your jewelry requires repairs, resizing, or cleaning, always inform the jeweler that the diamond has been fracture-filled so they can avoid using high temperatures.
- Limit Exposure to Harsh Chemicals: Cleaning solutions that contain strong chemicals can weaken the filling, making the fractures more visible. Stick to gentle, non-abrasive methods for cleaning your diamond, such as mild soap and water.
By following these precautions, your fracture-filled diamond will maintain its enhanced clarity over time.
Caring Considerations for Laser-Drilled Diamonds
Laser-drilled diamonds, by contrast, require less maintenance. The laser drilling process is permanent, and the tiny channels created by the laser are stable and durable. You can treat these diamonds like any other untreated diamond, although it's always a good idea to avoid hard impacts or chemical exposure to maintain the stone's overall quality.
Conclusion
Clarity enhanced diamonds offer a brilliant solution for those seeking a visually appealing diamond at a more accessible price. With the right care and attention, a clarity enhanced diamond can be a lasting and beautiful part of your jewelry collection. If you’re interested in learning more or exploring our selection, visit Greis Jewelers today. Our family is here to help you make the perfect choice for your next jewelry piece.