Treated Diamonds
Diamonds undergo different treatments to enhance their quality. For example, if a stone gets chipped or nicked, it will be necessary to recut the stone to make the edges smooth. Some carat weight will be sacrificed since the diamond is being reshaped, but the stone will retain its original beauty.
The color of the diamond can also be enhanced and this is usually done by putting diamonds under high pressures and high temperatures (HPHT) and also by irradiating the diamond. With HPHT and irradiation, disclosure is of utmost importance, so the stone should be examined for any unusual characteristics.
Other treatments include laser drilling and fracture filling where the diamond's clarity is enhanced. A diamond-like substance is inserted into the flaws and light passes through it as though it were the real thing. As with HPHT and irradiation, the diamond should also be examined and any treatments performed on it should be noted on its certificate.