Laser drilling is a process used to remove the inclusions in a diamond thereby enhancing its clarity. Inclusions in a diamond can deteriorate its clarity thereby reducing its value and price. But laser drilling can help to eliminate some types of inclusions to a great extent which can help to increase the clarity and value of diamonds.
Laser drilling involves drilling minute holes into the diamond using the laser. This helps to create a channel from the surface of the stone to where the inclusions are present. This channel is then used to eliminate the inclusions by dissolving them with acid or melting them with heat.
How Much Change Can Laser Drilling Bring In Clarity?
Laser drilling can increase the clarity of a diamond by one grade up. Laser drilling usually eliminates more prominent inclusions. It is normally not possible to increase the clarity by more than two grades with the help of laser drilling.
Problems With Laser Drilling
The holes drilled using this method are permanent. It is not possible to remove them from the stone. Even though jewelers fill these holes using a glass-like material, it cannot restore the integrity of the stone.
If there are too many minute holes in a diamond, it can weaken the stone’s structure. So if you buy diamonds that have undergone laser drilling for your diamond rings, it is important to protect them from hits and bumps. Otherwise, your stone may crack or chip.
Laser Drilling Might Be Undisclosed
Laser-drilled diamonds have less value and price than diamonds that are naturally free of inclusions. Hence, your jeweler might not disclose that the stones are laser drilled to get higher prices for them. Therefore, you have to be cautious when buying diamonds. If the diamonds have undergone fracture-filling, then the minute holes won’t be visible. So it can be difficult for you to find out whether a diamond has undergone this process by observing it with the naked eye.
How To Identify If A Diamond Is Fracture Filled?
One of the best ways to find out whether your diamond is fracture filled is by analyzing the grading reports. Both natural and lab grown diamonds can undergo this process. So make sure to choose diamonds that come with grading reports irrespective of their origin so that you can avoid paying a huge amount for a diamond that is fracture filled.
But if your diamond does not have a certificate, then ask the jeweler to show it under magnification so that you can find out the presence of minute holes in them.
It is important for you to know whether a diamond is fracture-filled or not so that you can avoid paying a hefty price for a stone that has undergone this process.