Diamonds come in many different varieties. You have your usual opaque or yellowish tone diamonds which have undergone little or no alterations. In the alternative, you can choose from amongst a wide array of color enhanced diamonds, where the diamonds have been enhanced and their color tone brought out in a more vibrant manner.



In order to make the color enhanced diamonds take on this look, they have to undergo a certain high pressure high temperature or irradiation technique. The following will describe this technique as well as detail the results which occur due to such a technique.

What Is This High Pressure High Temperature Technique?

The high pressure high temperature technique is a relatively new technological advancement. Developed in 1999 by General Electric, this technique provides a way to get rid of the brownish color tones which cloud over the true beauty of the diamond. The way in which this process works is quite simple.

The company which takes part in treating the diamond via a high pressure high temperature technique in order to produce color enhanced diamonds will first evaluate the diamond. This initial consultation is performed to see what extent of the process is needed in order for it to reach its maximum potential.

After the evaluation, it is then time to get started with the high pressure high temperature procedure. The basis of the process is that the diamond is placed into a compartment and then pressure and heat is distributed equally over the diamond so that the results will be level throughout. More specifically, the diamond is first placed into a pressure compartment. The pressure compartment is then placed into a heat generating sleeve, usually made of graphite.

The sleeve is then covered by an insulating item in order to keep the heat within the small area surrounding the diamond. It is usually placed into a cubic or tetrahedral press and then pressure is applied over the entire diamond. It is important that the pressure is applied evenly over the entire diamond surface in order for the color enhanced diamonds to be uniformly enhanced.

What Results From the High Pressure High Temperature Technique?

There are two main types of diamonds which include Type I and Type II. Roughly 95% of all diamonds fall within the Type I category as they have a moderate to high nitrogen level within them. When these Type I diamonds go through the high pressure high temperature treatment in order to create color enhanced diamonds the result is usually a switch from brown or neutral color diamond to one which is a brighter yellow, orange or green color.

With Type II diamonds, those which undergo the high pressure high temperature treatment in order to produce color enhanced diamonds result in a diamond which is colorless, almost colorless, pink or blue in tone. These diamonds have low nitrogen content and are extremely rare gemstones. However, if one is able to find a color enhanced diamond of this type, they will have a gem which is absolutely exquisite and marveled by all who see it.