Process for refining diamonds

A deep boiling process for refining natural diamonds of gem quality, comprising the steps of

• precleaning the natural diamonds of gem quality with solvents including isopropyl or ethyl-alcohol, acetone, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and/or water, to remove surface oils, hydrocarbons and other common surface impurities therefrom;
• submerging the diamonds in a caustic solvent comprised of potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), individually or mixed, between full strength (anhydrous hydroxide) and diluted with water to as low 10% concentration, in a sealed vessel and heating the solvent to a temperature between 220.degree. and 500.degree. C. and at the associated vaporous pressures, for a duration between approximately an hour and a day, to breakdown and remove the "glassy" structures and other complex oxides in the natural diamonds of gem quality, and then cooling the solvent, opening the vessel, and removing the natural diamonds of gem quality from the vessel;
• and
• rinsing the natural diamonds of gem quality with solvents including sequentially using water, acetone, alcohol and water again, after such diamond exposure to the caustic solvent.

A deep boiling process for refining natural diamonds of gem quality, comprising the steps of

• precleaning the natural diamonds of gem quality with solvents including isopropyl or ethyl-alcohol, acetone, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and/or water, to remove surface oils, hydrocarbons and other common surface impurities therefrom;
• submerging the natural diamonds of gem quality in an acid solvent comprised of a premixed solution of Aqua Regia [hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO.sub.3)], at a ratio between 1:1 and 1:5, and between full strength and diluted to a 30-60% water satuated concentration, in a sealed vessel and heating the solvent to a temperature between 250.degree. and 500.degree. C. and at the associated vaporous pressures, for a duration between approximately an hour and a day, to remove impurities in the natural diamonds of gem quality by forming water soluble chlorides and nitrates, and then cooling the solvent, opening the vessel, and removing the natural diamonds of gem quality from the vessel;
• and
• rinsing the natural diamonds of gem quality with solvents including sequentially using water, acetone, alcohol and water again, after such diamond exposure to the acid solvent.