^^^right on about the scallops. the term diver scallops is supposed to mean picked out by hand by the diver, meaning bigger and better scallops, but i'm not sure that they are always hand-dived. i think its more of a marketing ploy though, as they might just be the best outta the commercial haul. they are always high quality so its a win-win, same as "day scallops".

on the topic of treated scallops, my god are they terrible. you are right on about not being able to sear them no matter how hot the pan is. they just stew and disintegrate. also, be on the lookout for the term "bay scallops" as these are small and almost always treated. i find that they taste literally like rubber, not good. i generally get my seafood from wegmans, and i have never had anything but good quality.