I bought a “clarity enhanced” diamond for a bargain. It looked great. I took it to a jeweler for an ultrasonic cleaning. When I got it back, the stone looked shattered and cloudy. The ultrasonic waves had shaken the glass filler out of the cracks. I filed a claim. Denied. “Inherent Vice and Durability Issues.”
Key Takeaways
- Enhancements are Risks: Fracture filling (glass injection) makes a diamond unstable. Heat, acid, or ultrasonic cleaners can destroy the filler.
- “Inherent Vice” Exclusion: Insurance excludes damage caused by the internal nature of the item. If the filler fell out due to normal cleaning, that is an inherent flaw of a treated stone.
- Disclosure is Key: If you insured it as a “Natural Diamond” without disclosing the enhancement, the claim is denied for Misrepresentation.
- Jeweler Liability: If the jeweler didn’t check for enhancements before cleaning and ruined it, their Bailee insurance should pay, but it’s a fight.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Stability.”
A natural diamond is the hardest substance on earth.
A fracture-filled diamond is a rock held together by glass.
Insurers cover accidents. They do not cover the inevitable failure of a fragile treatment.
If you didn’t tell the insurer it was treated, you paid premiums on a lie.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Treated Stones)
I asked underwriters about “Yehuda” or filled diamonds.
The Application Question
- The Check: Most apps ask “Is the stone treated?”
- The Consequence: If you say Yes, the premium might not change, but the valuation will be lower.
- The Denial: If you say No, and the claim reveals it was treated (which is obvious when it breaks), they void the policy.
Jeweler’s Block (The Shop’s Insurance)
- The Liability: A competent jeweler checks for treatments before cleaning. If they boiled your filled diamond, they were negligent. You should claim against them.
[IMAGE: Split screen photo: A “Filled” diamond looking clear vs. the same diamond with “Feathers” visible after filler removal]
Comparison Table
| Stone Type | Durability | Insurability | Cleaning Risk |
| Natural | High | High | Low |
| Lab Grown | High | High | Low |
| Fracture Filled | Low | Conditional | High (Ultrasonic kills it) |
| Laser Drilled | Medium | High | Low |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Know What You Own: Check your appraisal. Does it say “CE” or “Clarity Enhanced”?
- Warn the Jeweler: Every time you hand it over: “This is fracture filled. Do not steam or ultrasonic.”
- Insure Correctly: Ensure the appraisal lists the treatment. Yes, the insured value will be lower, but at least the coverage is valid.
- Claim against the Jeweler: If it happens at the shop, demand they fix it (re-filling is possible but temporary).
FAQ
Can I re-fill the diamond?
Yes, companies like Yehuda offer lifetime guarantees to re-fill. But it’s a hassle.
Does insurance cover laser drilling?
Yes, that is a permanent change (holes). Filling is temporary.
Are lab diamonds treated?
Usually no. They are grown. Some HPHT treatments exist to change color, but they are stable.