Are Clarity Enhanced Diamonds Real?

Most people consider clarity enhanced diamonds a cost-effective method of buying larger carat stones. While the enhancement reduces annoying inclusions and improves diamond clarity, a good jeweler will let you know if the diamond has been enhanced. But are clarity enhanced diamonds real? Read on to find it.

What Are Clarity Enhanced Diamonds?

Clarity enhanced diamonds are genuine, mined, natural diamonds that utilize sophisticated laser technology to augment the stone's clarity. Jewelers enhance diamonds with significant inclusions or low color, which affect the stone's structure, integrity, and transparency. The enhancement makes these stones more visually appealing, enabling them to achieve perfection.

Is A Clarity Enhanced Diamond Real?

Clarity enhanced diamonds were once real and natural, but the clarity enhancement process turns them less valuable than naturally occurring stones. Although they have been treated for imperfections, clarity enhanced diamonds usually retain their authenticity. Laser drilling may leave white lines, while fracture filling adds plastics to the stone, making it unblemished but less valuable.

Methods of Clarity Enhancement

Laser Drilling

Laser drilling involves using chemicals or heat to eliminate flaws or inclusions in diamond stones. However, this method of enhancing diamond clarity frequently leaves white lines that do not adhere to the natural growing patterns of diamonds. Laser drilling can whiten black or tarnished inclusions, transforming the stone white.

Fracture Filling

Some naturally occurring diamonds have small gaps or cracks that the jeweler might want to seal before selling. Fracture filling lets jewelers fill and close these gaps by injecting imperfect diamonds with plastic or glass-like resin. This yields a perfect stone that appears natural but partially a diamond and partly plastic.

Bottom Line

Clarity enhanced diamonds are the most affordable stones compared to natural diamonds since their imperfections have been cleverly cloaked. When shopping for diamonds, ensure you can differentiate between a clarity enhanced gemstone and a natural stone to get value for your money.

For more information, contact us here at Ballard & Ballard Fine Jewelers to learn more today!