Laser Drilled Diamonds

Last week, a ring was received in the laboratory featuring a noteworthy laser-drilled diamond. The drill hole exits through the table of the stone, extending a considerable length to a small red-toned crystal easily visible under 10x magnification.

crystal inclusion

This technique is used to enhance a stone's clarity by using infrared lasers to drill microscopic holes directly into the targeted inclusions. The inclusion can then be bleached in a sulfuric acid solution, thereby lightening a dark inclusion. The refinement of this process for natural diamonds is credited to Louis Perlman, having completed successful tests just one year after General Motors created the drill in 1962 for industrial diamonds.

table view

Laser-drilled channels are permanent clarity characteristics and are evaluated alongside natural inclusions, such as crystals or feathers, during gemological assessment. The presence of laser drilling may influence both retail and secondary market value. According to regulations established by the Federal Trade Commission, laser-drilling is classified as a clarity enhancement and must be disclosed to consumers at the point of sale.