Color Enhancements Vs Color Coating Treatments
What Is Color Coating?
There are two main forms of color coating; ink staining and sputtering. Historically, ink staining was the most popular way to change the color of a diamond. The process involves dying a diamond with colored ink to either add or remove color from the stone.
Today, sputtering is a more commonly used method than ink staining due to modern advances in technology. This process involves a layer of film about the thickness of a hair being added onto the surface of the diamond. This process is used both to give low clarity white diamonds a color, as well as to neutralize yellowish stones to make them white. While the sputtering process is still used today, there are other color treatment processes that are more popular, such as
HPHT and irradiated color treated diamonds.
Other Popular Color Treatment Processes
Of course color treated diamonds are not considered as rare or as expensive as natural fancy colored diamonds, but they are nonetheless increasing in popularity. This is partly due to the fact that a high quality natural fancy colored diamond, particularly colors such as pink, red or blue, are becoming increasingly rare.
This means that even if you do find such a diamond, the price may well be above your budget. Therefore, customers look for diamonds that have undergone the high quality HPHT or irradiated color treatment process.
The HPHT Color Treatment Process
This process involves exposing a diamond to extreme heat and pressure and is usually only carried out on the highest quality diamonds. After being exposed to such heat, the diamonds are re-polished and buffed.
The Irradiated Color Treatment Process
In this process, particles the size of electrons are shot into the diamond, changing the physical properties of the diamond. The diamond is then heated at a high temperature, allowing the atoms in the diamond to rearrange themselves in a process called annealing.
Inform your jeweler that your diamond is irradiated if you take it in for resizing or cleaning so that they can take the necessary precautions.
Comparing Color Coated Diamonds With HPHT And Irradiated Diamonds
Generally, color coated diamonds, also referred to as surface-treated diamonds are not recommended by jewelers. Furthermore, some people actually try to sell surface treated diamonds as natural fancy colored diamonds, so beware. Here are some of the main differences between color coating and the more conventional HPHT and irradiated enhancement process:
|
HPHT and Irradiated Treated Diamonds |
Color Coating Treatment Process |
|---|---|
|
Produce permanent results |
The coating can easily get scratched off or peel away with constant use |
| Recognized by the GIA gemological lab | Not recognized because the process is so temporary |
| Increasingly popular enhancement processes | Not common and more likely to be found in cases of fraud |
| Jewelers are familiar with the treatment processes | The coating can range from fingernail polish to other thin coatings, making it difficult to rely on |
| Jewelers feel comfortable selling these diamonds | Most jewelers stay away from coated diamonds |
Purchasing The Right Color Treated Diamond
As this article explains, the best color treated diamonds that we recommend you purchase are those that have undergone the HPHT process as well as irradiated diamonds. It is best to avoid buying diamonds that have been surface coated in order to change their color.
Further, if you do choose to purchase surface coated colored diamonds, you are likely to find it difficult to re-sell it in the future, as they are far less desirable. However, irradiated and HPHT color treated diamonds are considered very reliable. When purchasing diamonds that have undergone these treatments, be sure to buy from a reputable jeweler who you trust will inform you if the diamond has been treated. CaratsDirect2U has been manufacturing diamonds for over three generations, so you know you can trust us when it comes to buying loose diamonds and diamond jewelry.
If you would like to know more about purchasing diamonds online, our website offers extensive guidance and we can always be contacted on 1-800-557-7095 where one of our expert diamond jewelers will be happy to assist you. Or you can email us at [email protected] with any questions you may have.