Gemstone Enhancements


Gemstone Enhancements Home Jewelry Information History 1 2 Enhancements Lab Created Jewelry Care Jewelry Messages
	Most gemstones used in jewelry have been treated to "enhance" their appearance. Treated gemstones are often a good choice, because they are more affordable than untreated stones. Before you buy a colored gemstone, ask if it's been treated. Here are a few common enhancements: Heat and radiation - is often used to change or enhance gemstone colors. Diffusion is used to deepen a gem's color. Diffusion only intensifies a gemstone's outer layers. Oil and waxes enhance gemstone colors by filling-in fine surface cracks, blending them away temporarily. Emeralds are universally oiled and may need to be retreated occasionally. An un-oiled specimen would command an astronomical price. Fracture filling coats gems with a clear or colored epoxy resin or another substance. The treatment fills-in cracks, which improves the appearance of the gemstone. Laser drilling removes inclusions, improving clarity. Dyeing - Without dyeing there would be no black onyx: this is not a natural color of chalcedony! Chalcedony or more commonly known as agate, is often dyed blue, green, or orange and carved into bowls, statues, or cut into beads. This is fine, as there are some lovely pieces around using this stuff, especially carved animals and the like and no one minds that it's not "natural". Dyeing of chalcedony and of pearls is prevalent, permanent, and acceptable. These colors do not occur in nature; no deception is involved. Dyeing of other materials, jade, lapis lazuli, turquoise, coral, rubies, emeralds and sapphire may be less acceptable. Generally, dyeing of these materials is done to disguise poor quality goods. Dyed lapis lazuli can be easily tested by rubbing it with a piece of cotton soaked with acetone (fingernail polish remover). If it is dyed, blue color will eventually rub off on the cotton. Dyed lapis should be much less expensive than fine natural lapis. In the case of lapis lazuli or turquoise, where the natural stone is not that expensive, why bother? Dyed lapis lazuli may bleed. Dyed jade is harder to detect, so be careful if the price seems "too good". Coral beads may also be dyed. Suspect coral that has a very intense color, coupled with an inexpensive selling price. Impregnation and stabilization are common for turquoise. Impregnation is the infusion of wax or paraffin into a porous material. Stabilization is the introduction of a bonding agent, usually plastic, into a porous material. Of the two processes, stabilization is the most permanent. Impregnated pieces must be kept away from heat or the wax could melt & leak... not a pretty sight !! Some gems are waxed on the surface to enhance luster but this is not very usual. The upside for stabilized turquoise, is that it will not absorb oils and discolor as untreated turquoise may.
	If any form of the word enhanced is used in ads or disclosures, the gem has been treated in some way.
	A vendor should always disclose any known treatments or enhancements (remember, they may not always know themselves, with imported Gemstones) and record it on your bill of sale. Most vendors are honest and forthcoming, but it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK.
Go To Top Of Page joanne@dlcreations-al.com Updated 06.10.2010