Cool School Sections Cool School Home 4C's Main Page 4C's Cut 4C's Proportion 4C's Optical Symetry 4C's Determining Round 4C's Clarity 4C's Girdle 4C's Naturals       Fracture-filled Diamonds Fracture-filled diamonds caused quite a stir when they first entered the U.S. jewelry market in 1989. The fracture-filling technology used microscopic amounts of a stable, colorless material to fill any eye visible inclusions in a natural diamond. The process is similar to the filling of small chips and cracks in car windshields. The artificial filler does not add any coloring or measurable weight to the stone but it can improve a diamond's clarity by as much as 1.5 grades. Fracture-filled diamonds are very difficult to detect even with the aid of a microscope because the filler closely matches a diamond's refractive index. The treatment is permanent even under prolonged exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light. However, the direct heat of a jeweler's torch and contact with acid can alter the treatment. Israeli Gemological scientist Zvi Yehuda first invented the treatment process for diamonds in 1982 and today there a several companies selling fracture-filled diamonds. Pegasus Process This new and highly controversial treatment has the diamond industry very concerned. The General Electric Company has developed a process that can improve the color of a diamond, in some cases by several grades. Lazare Kaplan, a well-known diamond cutter and wholesaler has signed a 10-year exclusive sales contract with GE through a subsidiary called Pegasus Overseas Limited. What concerns diamond dealers is that the Pegasus Process is currently undetectable by any gem laboratory, including the Gemological Institute of America's Gem Trade Laboratory. "This is the biggest single Gemological crisis in GIA history" said GIA President William E. Boyajian. In order to reduce the concern over these treated diamonds entering the marketplace undetected, the company has agreed to laser inscribe each diamond on the girdle with the letters, "GE POL". Unfortunately, this inscription can be polished off and to date, the GIA has discovered two diamonds submitted to their gem lab with the inscriptions removed. Pegasus treated diamonds began selling in May 1999 and sales are expected to reach $200 million over the next two years.