Gemstone Treatments- Things You'll Want To Know
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Since the dawn of time, mankind has been on a quest to take his
surrounding environment and change it to a thing of greater beauty,
greater durability, or to simply leave it somewhat better than it
was when he found it. |
| Nowhere is this goal more expertly
realized than with the treatments of colored gemstones. An imperfect
rough stone, taken from the earth and given the slightest of
modifications, becomes a gem of breathtaking beauty. The earliest
enhancements, and those of the simplest design, were the shaping and
cutting of gemstones into round, marquise, pear, princess, and other
shapes. These shape enhancements brought out the true brilliance of
the stones by allowing natural light to reflect throughout the gem. |
| The treatment of gemstones
to improve color, clarity, luster, durability, brilliance, and value
is a time-honored tradition going back at least to the time of the
Minoans (2000-1600 BC), according to the research of C. Plinius
Secundus. At that time, ancient jewelers were using some of the same
techniques we use today, including heating, oiling, and dyeing to
enhance the beauty of natural gemstones. A large number of
enhancement techniques duplicate natural processes that create
beautifully colored gemstones. These natural enhancement processes
include heating and irradiation. |
| As time passed, and man became
more expert in improving the natural beauty of what he discovered
around him, additional treatments using irradiation, diffusion, and
impregnation were discovered. These methods allowed men to draw
forth the maximum color, luster, clarity, and brilliance that
already existed in these natural stones. Eventually, man discovered
ways to create gemstones that duplicate the natural gemstone's
chemical composition, optical nature, and physical beauty of the
natural gems. These created gemstones are without the natural
internal flaws and dull color that many natural gemstones are found
with. The most notable of these created gemstones is the deep color
of a created emerald. A created emerald provides a clear, beautiful,
colored gemstone that is affordable for anyone to own at a fraction
of the cost of a natural emerald of the same color and clarity. |
Gemstones with Common Treatments
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Emeralds
Early gem merchants in India sought to purify the color of the
emeralds by immersing them in clear oils or paraffin. They found
that the clear oils and waxes rendered surface fissures nearly
invisible to the naked eye. Today, there are many sophisticated
technologies with which to clarity enhance emeralds. In addition to
the oils and waxes of ancient methods, clear resins are also used to
penetrate open fissures surfacing in the gemstones. |
| Emeralds, especially those from
South America, which tend to have more inclusions than those from
Zambia, are routinely oiled to lesson the effect of unsightly
inclusions. For oil to enter inside the stone, inclusions must break
the gem's surface. If the emerald has inclusions, it is reasonable
to assume that it has been oiled. If the oil in no way adds to the
color of the emerald, this practice is not considered fraudulent.
Care should be taken not expose stone to extreme heat. |
Ruby
Imperfections and impurities may be removed by controlled heating
of the gemstones. Some rubies have fissures that break the stone
surface, which are filled with a glass-like by-product of the
heating process. Heat treatment is considered routine and permanent.
It is safe to assume that all rubies you see are heated unless
specifically noted. |
Sapphire
Since ancient times, man has evolved methods to enhance the purest
hues of sapphire. This is often achieved by controlled heating of
the gemstone to improve its clarity and color. Today, over 90% of
the world's sapphires are heat-treated. Heating sapphires is a
permanent treatment, as lasting as the gemstones themselves. Blue
sapphires are routinely heated, and if not for this fact, many
people would never be able to afford or appreciate one of their own.
It is safe to assume that all sapphires you see are heated unless
specifically noted. Heat treatment is considered routine and
permanent. |
Amethyst
Darker hues of amethyst are rarely enhanced, but sometimes if they
are too dark, they are heated to lighten the color. Brownish
varieties, when heated, magically turn into the bright yellow or
orange colors known as Citrine. Heating amethyst is a permanent,
common, and undetectable treatment and will last for the life of the
gemstone. |
Aquamarine
While many aquamarines are
greenish when mined, these gemstones are heated to enhance their
blue color permanently. Assume most aquamarines to be routinely
heat-treated. This treatment is considered to be permanent. Many
aquamarine fanciers prefer the greenish hues, saying the greener
tones remind them more of the sea. |
Topaz
Assume topaz stones to be heat-treated. Through a combination of
irradiation and then heating, the color can be changed to varying
shades of blue. This enhancement process is permanent. |
Citrine
It was long ago discovered that heating citrine, amethyst or other
quartz would create the brilliant honey-yellow and bold Madeira
colors we now associate with this stone. Most citrine are possibly
heat-treated. Such treatment is common and undetectable. |
Pearl
Both natural and cultured pearls are routinely permanently
lightened, dyed or irradiated to achieve a desired luster. |
Tanzanite
All tanzanite on the market are subjected to heat treatment.
Though heating can occur naturally in the earth, most tanzanite
start as light brownish-purple and must undergo heating to turn the
deep, rich indigo blue that is in demand. |
Peridot
No known treatments |
Garnets
No known treatments |
Onyx
Assumed to be dyed. Such treatment is routine and considered
permanent |
Diamond
Possible treatments include laser drilling or clarity enhancement
(fracture filled) using resins or glass like substances to fill
inclusions. Irradiation can be used to vary natural diamond color.
Diamonds that have been irradiated to change natural color are sold
as irradiated colored diamonds. |
Opal
Often sealed with a plastic cap to protect the stone from abrasion
and drying out in extreme heat. |
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