Color Enhanced Diamonds Fancy color diamonds are rapidly growing in popularity. Natural fancy colored diamonds are very rare, extremely attractive, and tremendously expensive. Very few people have the pleasure of owning these much coveted stones. But with modern advancements, it is now possible to enhance the color of a dim or pale diamond to a diamond with intense, vibrant color. Treatment Methods The most common color enhancement process is known as irradiation. Brown and yellow diamonds are transformed into fancy colored diamonds by controlled exposure to periods of radiation. The color change is permanent unless the diamond is subjected to extreme heat. High Pressure High Temperature treatment (HPHT) is another common color changing process in the diamond industry. Through exposure to extreme pressure and heat, similar to a diamond’s natural environment, yellowish diamonds can become more desirable fancy colored diamonds. Today, this process is also used to turn brownish diamonds into more costly colorless diamonds. HPHT is also a permanent color enhancing process. Facts About Color Enhanced Diamonds * The color will not fade, as it penetrates the entire diamond. * Fancy colored enhanced diamonds don't become radioactive! * Fancy colored enhanced diamonds come in a variety of colors. Blue, green, orange, yellow, red and pink. * They look exactly the same as natural fancy color diamonds, and are offered at a fraction of the price. Clarity Enhanced Diamonds Clarity enhanced diamonds have been around for a couple decades or so. There are a variety of treatment methods that are used to enhance clarity. Not every diamond can undergo a clarity enhancement process as only certain flaws can be repaired. One method is by using a laser beam to wipe out flaws. An advantage of the laser method is that its results are permanent and do not weaken the diamond. Another method of clarity enhancement involves inserting a clear substance into the surface imperfections of a diamond, to minimize their appearance. The process, which is referred to as fracture filling, typically improves the clarity grade of a diamond by approximately two grades. However, you should know that fracture filling is not a permanent treatment. Cleaning, repairs, and sun-damage can eradicate the filling. Also, fracture filling material has a lower tolerance of high temperatures, and has the potential to crack or melt if repairs are made on the diamond. I hope this information has been helpful. Remember to be safe when shopping from anyone you don’t know. And have fun!