Diamond Terms Defined

DIAMOND
Diamond is pure carbon. It crystallizes with a cubic structure in the isometric system. If you look at a diamond crystal, it would look like two pyramids stuck together at the base, with four sides on the top, mirrored by the four sides on the bottom. Because of the tight bonding of the monticules, this make diamond one of the hardest substances around.

SIMULANT DIAMOND
A diamond simulant is any man-made or natural product resembling a diamond in appearance, but having different chemical or physical properties.

SYNTHETIC DIAMOND
A synthetic diamond is a diamond grown in a laboratory that is partially or wholly crystallized by artificial or human intervention. Also called ‘synthetic‘, ‘man-made’, ‘artificial’, ‘lab grown’, and or ’lab created’.

TREATED DIAMOND
A treated diamond is a diamond that has been altered by man to improve the stone other than cutting, polishing and cleaning. These treatments include irradiation, coating, laser drilling, filling, and chemical treatment.

Irradiation
A process of using x-rays to change the body color to creates a “fancy color” diamond.

Coating
A coating is a treatment to change the body color of the diamond. Coatings usually do not last very long as they ware.

Laser Drilling
Laser drilling uses a laser to drill down to a dark inclusion in a diamond. The dark inclusion is then removed by the laser or through chemical bleaching. Lasering is also used to reach internal fractures so the fracture can be filled. This process improves the diamond’s clarity grade.

Filling
Filling is a technique used to fill surface reaching fractures in a diamond to mask the fracture. This process can also be used on laser drilled diamonds to mask the laser hole. A glass like material is used in the filling process.

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT Treatment)
A process to improve the body color of the diamond through high pressure and high temperature.