Learn About Diamond Enhancements - Sell Diamonds

Considered controversial in the diamond community, modern technology has offered many ways to enhance a less than perfect diamond. Generally these treated diamonds are sold at a lower price. The lower cost is due to the fact that many treated stones might not originally be the quality that would sell and some of the treatments may not be permanent. Rarely will a diamond with a good overall gemological rating be treated in anyway.

Enhancements, when done, are usually done to already polished diamonds. They are designed to improve the gemological qualities of the stone and as a result the value. Treatments can include clarity enhancements such as laser drilling (to remove inclusions), sealants (to fill cracks) and color (to improve a white diamonds color grade or to give a fancy color to a stone).

Color enhancements to diamonds come in three forms—irradiation; thin coatings; or a combination of high temperature and high pressure (HTHP). The first two will modify the color of a diamond while HTHP will modify the color or remove color. Irradiation and HTHP will generally bring about permanent color changes to a diamond.

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission require that it be disclosed to buyers at the time of purchase if any of the diamonds they are buying are treated diamonds.

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