Many precious and valuable stones undergo various treatments to enhance their appearance or durability. This blog post introduces the most common treatments gemstones and diamonds can undergo and their impact on quality and value.
Why are gemstones and diamonds treated?
The treatment of gemstones and diamonds aims to enhance specific characteristics of the stones. These include color intensity, clarity, and overall aesthetics. Many gemstones do not reach the market in their optimal condition, and targeted treatments can make them more attractive to consumers.
Common treatments of gemstones
Color enhancement is one of the most common treatments for many gemstones. Procedures include:
- Heating: Controlled heating removes unwanted hues and intensifies the desired color. This is especially common with sapphires, rubies, and amethysts.
- Irradiation: This method is used to change the color of diamonds and certain gemstones such as emeralds and topazes. The stones are treated with ionizing radiation to create new hues.
- Coloring: This method uses chemicals to permanently change the color of a stone. This is commonly used with opals and some quartz species.
Clarity improvement
To reduce inclusions and cracks in gemstones, various methods are used to improve clarity:
-
Resins: This treatment involves filling cracks and inclusions with special resins to reduce their visibility. This technique is often used in emeralds and other highly inclusive stones.
- Oils: Especially with gemstones like emeralds, the stones are often preserved in oils to enhance their clarity. This method can positively influence the color and play of light of a stone.
Diamond treatments
Although diamonds are extremely durable, they can also be treated to improve their appearance:
-
Clarity treatment: Similar to gemstones, diamonds can also have their clarity improved by filling their indentations with resins or other substances.
- Color Treatment: While most diamonds are naturally colorless, some can be treated with irradiation or other chemicals to produce colors such as blue, yellow, or pink.
Impact on value and certification
The treatment of gemstones and diamonds has a direct impact on their market value. Treated stones are often less valuable than untreated specimens because their authenticity and rarity are compromised. Therefore, it is important for buyers to be informed about the treatments and request the relevant certificates from recognized institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These institutions provide detailed information about the use and type of treatments a stone has undergone.
Summary
Gemstones and diamonds can be significantly enhanced through various treatments, which have both advantages and disadvantages. Buyers should be aware of the treatments a stone has received and how this affects its value. By understanding the different treatment methods and their effects, consumers can make informed decisions and ensure they are investing in high-quality and authentic gemstones.
