Wider Color Range in Sundance HPHT Process

HPHT company Sundance announced it can now achieve a wider range of fancy colors for brown and cape Type I diamonds. Yellow, yellow-orange, orange-brown, yellow-green, and green diamonds are now available through this process.

The company, which a majority of its business is treating brown Type IIa diamonds into colorless and near colorless ranges, said it expects the new technology will impact sales, profitability and margin in the processed diamond market.

According to Jim Littman, Director of Business Development, "a consistent choice of attractive colors was unavailable through HPHT processing Type I diamonds" until now.

High Pressure and High Temperature treatment of diamonds is used as away to improve diamond colors. As demand for the rare fancy color goods in the consumer market is growing, there is a constant search for new and alternative sources.

Sundance says the market for its treated diamonds is growing exponentially, seeing an increase of 500 percent in business over the past year. Gemesis, makers of yellow lab stones is also reporting good business, a result of the same trend.

“When people understand that they can have a beautiful HPHT processed natural diamond at a better price they are very excited about this product.  The HPHT process on diamonds is comparable to the heating process of a ruby or a sapphire, which are almost always heated to improve their color,” Littman said.