Usually regarded as hallmarks of wealth and elegance, diamonds have a found a new place to sparkle, namely human teeth.

Jiangsu Hefei Medical and Health Club, a private hospital mainly serving foreigners and local professionals in this capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, launched its diamond teeth decorating service in August as a trial, but received unexpected success among female fashion followers.

So far, the hospital has conducted some 40 diamond operations, said Song Yangchen, a doctor from the hospital.

Doctors activate the enamel and spread a special glue on the teeth before putting small diamonds on the surface and heating to fix them.

According to Song, diamonds used as teeth ornaments are specially treated in Switzerland and costs range from 800 yuan (US$97) to 30,000 yuan (US$3,630).

The diamonds, which range up to 1.5 mm in diameter, can be removed and put on again through professional treatment.

Although the novel decoration will not damage teeth, the doctor emphasizes the process be conducted in an extremely clean environment to avoid virus infection.

Doctors have to evaluate and decide whether the applicant's teeth are white enough to contrast the radiant stones beforehand.

Miss Chen, who just had a diamond fixed to her tooth, said the decoration is very fashionable and she feels really "cool".

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2003)