With the technology today, diamonds that used to be considered “flawed” are now can be “corrected”. There are now many techniques to be able to enhance a diamond, or to “correct” the color and clarity.
One of the first methods to correct dark spots or inclusions in diamonds was to use a laser to burn holes into the diamonds and then bleach the dark spots so they were not as noticeable. This laser process does not affect the durability of the diamond and has not been a problem for years.
Anther method to improve clarity or defects commonly called “feathers” was developed in 1982 by Zvi Yehuda, an Israeli inventor. His method uses molten glass to fill cracks in diamonds. The diamonds are placed in a vacuum, and the vacuum sucks the molten glass into the cracks. By doing this, the imperfections visually disappear and the clarity is improved.
Bromine is another method that some companies use because it is a cheaper process that using molten glass. One risk to this process is that the ultra-violet radiation found in sunlight has been known to cloud the diamond and cause it to discolor over time.
So, why would a customer want to purchase a “treated” diamond if there are natural diamonds available? The main reason is cost. The cost for a large “treated” diamond will be a lot less than a natural diamond. In today’s economy there is a market for “treated diamonds”, especially someone looking for a bargain price on a diamond. These “treated diamonds” are less expensive than more perfect diamonds, yet have more value than CZ diamonds.
While most consumers would prefer the natural diamond, the opportunity to own a diamond at a reduced cost is important to those on a limited budget. The important thing to remember is to ask if the diamond has been treated before you purchase it. Any good jewelry will be able to tell you if the diamond is “natural” or “treated”.
