Don’t be Fooled by Enhanced Diamonds

The phrase ‘too good to be true' can be applied to everything in life, including diamond jewelry. If you find a engagement ring or bridal ring, or see signs for wholesale diamond rings, be sure that the seller isn't cutting their price by cutting quality. While there are excusive retailers who can offer you genuine designer diamond rings and other natural diamond jewelry at a great price, many offer low prices because they are using enhanced diamonds.
Unlike high quality natural diamonds, enhanced diamonds are inferior stones that have been artificially treated to hide cracks, repair ugly inclusions and improve their color. These treatments are unnerving by any standard and include laser drilling and boiling in sulfuric acid to remove black or dirty inclusions, exposure to radiation to enhance or change the stone's color, placing the diamond in extreme heat and pressure to improve clarity, using a sealant to hid cracks and pits in the diamond, and being coated with a substance to add a reflective effect.
While all of these treatments can result in a gemstone that is cheaper than a natural diamond, don't be fooled. Enhanced diamonds cost less because they are lower quality, and therefore less valuable. In fact, there is heated debate in the jewelry industry about the use of treatments to enhance diamonds, as it can make stones difficult to grade and certify accurately.
Under US law, all enhanced diamonds must be declared and sold as such. One of the most common practices to enhance diamonds that must be declared is laser drilling to dissolve inclusions to improve clarity. These holes are clearly visible under a jeweler's microscope and it is debated whether or not this process damages the integrity of stone.
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the leading organization in studying and grading diamonds and all other gemstones, and they also require that all diamonds that have been laser drilled must be disclosed as enhanced. When buying diamond jewelry make sure it comes with a clear appraisal that discloses full information about each stone.
If clear information about stone enhancements is not immediately available, or a customer service rep does not want to talk about this process openly then walk away and look elsewhere for a natural, high quality diamond. Unfortunately, just because a diamond has not been laser drilled does not mean that it hasn't been subjected to other enhancement treatments such as a being boiled in sulfuric acid. Most inferior stones actually have fractures that extend to the surface from inclusions deep in the stone that allow the acid to travel into the inclusion without holes being bored. Would you consider buying a diamond ring if you knew the diamond had been immersed in sulfuric acid? Or buy a diamond bracelet that had been exposed to radiation? Would you buy any kind of gemstone jewelry that you knew had cracks that had to be filled with a sealant?
The GIA has announced that new treatments to artificially enhance diamonds are being developed all the time, making it more difficult for customers to identify and buy a genuine, natural diamond. They have reported finding diamonds being sold with "an uneven texture with abundant fractures" and "unevenness in their color" although they couldn't identify what techniques had been used to treat the stone. Another report noted that High Press/ Heat Treated (HPHT) annealing of diamonds is "one of the most serious challenges the diamond industry has ever faced"
This worrying trend makes it even more important to only buy diamond jewelry from a source that you trust, and who are dedicated to only creating designer diamond jewelry using the highest quality, natural diamonds. Look for sites that advertise that they don't use enhanced diamonds, and have clear certification for all of their diamond jewelry from
While enhancements may not be visible to the naked eye, they will certainly be visible to a trained jeweler or appraiser. While you may not be immediately concerned about the resale price of your diamond bracelet, engagement ring or gold diamond ring, any valuable piece of diamond jewelry is an investment in the future, and you will certainly want to make sure that any jewelry passed down from generation to generation is the highest value that it can be.

Sources:
[1] http://www.gia.edu/newsroom/issue/2798/1003/insider_newsletter_details.cfm#4
[2] http://www.gia.edu/gemsandgemology/18578/1826/524/back_issue_article_detail.cfm

Dazzling Diamonds, April's Birthstone

"She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow."
If you were born in April then you may be lucky enough to receive a large amount of diamond jewelry in your lifetime, as this is your birthstone. Diamonds are formed when carbon deep in the earth is compressed under massive pressure to form a clear stone, this diamond ore is brought closer to the surface by volcanic activity. Diamond's are the hardest natural mineral in the world, and this, along with their ability to reflect light makes them highly desirable in jewelry.

Roughly 130 million carats of diamonds are mined each year, and almost 50% of these come from Africa. Diamonds are also found in Australia, Russia and even the US.
Diamonds have always been considered attractive and valuable gemstones, and have been associated with engagement rings and weddings. Although many men struggle to find just the right engagement ring, with the huge selection of designer diamond rings available at reputable locations, there are hundreds of beautiful rings available to suit any budget or style.
Diamonds are believed to pass their clarity and longevity to the wearer and their relationships, helping them to find balance, strength and courage. The stone is associated with the crownchakra, meaning that when worn it is thought to be able to encourage clearer thinking and focus.
Diamond jewelry is a gift to be treasured forever, and diamonds have been included in the designs of rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and broochesfrom as early as the 8th century BC, when they were only found in India. Traditionally, alongside diamond engagement rings, diamond tennis bracelets are one of the most popular jewelry designs to use the stone, and these are often given as a special gift to express love.
Sapphire is sometimes considered an alternative birthstone for April, and with the popularity of colorful gemstone rings , why not treat your loved one to a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring with a dazzling pink, blue or yellow sapphire.
A Tanzanite and diamond ring is another beautiful combination, as the vibrant purple Tanzanite is highlighted by the clear, white sparkle of diamonds.
The traditional birth flower associated with April is the daisy, so what better gift that a piece of jewelry which incorporates both diamonds and daisies? Flower designs in jewelry have been particularly popular over the recent months, and the trend looks set to continue. Diamond and daisy jewelry is a wonderful birthday gift for milestone ages such as 18, 21, 30 and 40, as the diamonds add class and significance while the daisy shape creates a feeling of fun and youth. These diamond daisy earrings are cute and fashionable.
Of course, if you like things simpler, what woman wouldn't be overjoyed to receive a classic pair of diamond stud earrings for her birthday? And if she was born in April, your gift will hold even more meaning.
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