What Is A Clarity Enhanced Diamond?

When you encounter the term clarity enhanced diamond, it refers to a natural diamond that has been gently improved to minimize visible inclusions and maximize sparkle.

At Mervis Diamond Importers, where diamond knowledge and craftsmanship run three generations deep, we believe clarity enhancement deserves thoughtful explanation — not mystery. 

A diamond’s beauty lies in how it captures light — and in the story told by every facet. Understanding how and why clarity enhancement is done helps you see not just brilliance, but truth in every stone.

Understanding Diamond Clarity

Clarity describes the internal and external characteristics of a diamond — the natural marks formed as it grows beneath the earth’s surface. These inclusions and blemishes tell the diamond’s story but can sometimes interrupt the way light travels through it.

Clarity enhancement is a modern technique designed to reduce the visibility of such inclusions, allowing more light to return to your eye and creating the illusion of higher clarity without altering the diamond’s authenticity.

Gem Fact:

Clarity enhanced diamonds are real, mined diamonds. They are not synthetic or lab grown — their beauty is simply refined through precise craftsmanship.

How Clarity Enhancement Works

Clarity enhancement focuses on improving the optical performance of natural diamonds rather than changing their structure. Two primary techniques are used:

1. Fracture Filling

Tiny surface-reaching inclusions, called “feathers,” are filled with a clear, glass-like material.

This filler has a similar refractive index to diamond, which helps light pass through rather than scatter. The result: inclusions appear nearly invisible to the naked eye, allowing the diamond to sparkle more freely.

2. Laser Drilling

A microscopic laser beam creates a channel leading to a dark inclusion. The inclusion is then vaporized or bleached, leaving the diamond visually cleaner.

Sometimes, the laser channel is later filled with a transparent substance to improve light return.

What to Expect: Appearance and Value

To the naked eye, a clarity enhanced diamond can look remarkably similar to a higher-grade natural diamond. It often sparkles with extraordinary brightness, particularly in well-cut stones.

However, enhancement affects value differently:

  • Enhanced diamonds are more affordable than comparable untreated stones of the same apparent clarity.

  • They allow buyers to enjoy larger or higher-clarity appearances at lower cost.

  • Because treatments are permanent but not indestructible, care and maintenance should be approached mindfully.

 

Durability and Care Considerations

A clarity enhanced diamond requires gentle care.

While the filler is durable under normal wear, exposure to extreme heat during repairs or ultrasonic cleaning may compromise the treatment.

Care Tip:

  • Clean using mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush.

  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and professional re-tipping without informing your jeweler.

  • Have your ring checked regularly by a professional — especially if you wear it daily.

Should You Buy a Clarity Enhanced Diamond?

For many buyers, clarity enhanced diamonds offer an appealing blend of value and visual perfection.

They’re ideal if your focus is on the beauty you see rather than microscopic grading details. Still, transparency from your jeweler is essential — you should always know what enhancements have been applied.

Advantages:

  • Exceptional brilliance at a lower price point

  • Access to larger carat sizes without exceeding budget

  • Visually cleaner appearance than untreated diamonds with similar inclusions

Considerations:

  • Slightly reduced resale value compared to untreated diamonds

  • Sensitivity to heat and specific repair processes

  • Should be disclosed on all certificates and receipts

 

Customer Q&A

Question: Can I make my diamond look clearer?

Answer: Yes — clarity enhancement can make inclusions less visible, improving transparency and brilliance in certain diamonds. It’s a way to bring out the best in what nature already created.

Question: Will anyone notice the enhancement?

Answer: To the naked eye, usually not. The difference lies under magnification, visible only to trained professionals.

Question: Can I reset or resize my enhanced diamond ring?

Answer: Absolutely — but always inform your jeweler first. At Mervis, we handle clarity enhanced diamonds with specialized care to protect their integrity during any adjustment.

Conclusion: Real Diamonds, Refined Brilliance

Clarity enhanced diamonds remind us that beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about refinement.

These diamonds are genuine gifts of nature, elevated by human craftsmanship to reveal more light, more transparency, and more joy in every glance.

At Mervis Diamond Importers, our experts ensure you receive complete information, whether you’re choosing a clarity enhanced or untreated diamond. We invite you to explore both — compare, learn, and discover the brilliance that feels right for you.

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Washington, DC | Rockville, MD | Tysons Corner, VA

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