Gemstone: Treatments, Detection & Disclosure

Gemstone: Treatments, Detection & Disclosure

Gemstones are naturally occurring precious minerals, which are formed over millions of years under natural conditions. Gemstone rocks are extracted from their mines and gemstones are cut from these rough rocks. These gemstones are cut in different shapes and sizes based on their quality. The parameters that define the quality are color, transparency, inclusions etc.

Good quality stones with the desired colour and no visible inclusions command higher prices. Additionally, such stones are massively demanded in market. Thus, low quality gemstones are often treated for enhancement to get better prices for low quality stones. Even organic gemstones like Coral, Amber and Pearl are treated for enhancement.

US Federal Trade Commission Guidelines for the Disclosure of Gemstone Treatments:

As per the US FTC guidelines, "It is unfair or deceptive to fail to disclose that a gemstone has been treated if:
(a) the treatment is not permanent. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated and that the treatment is or may not be permanent;
(b) the treatment creates special care requirements for the gemstone. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated and has special care requirements. It is also recommended that the seller disclose the special care requirements to the purchaser;
(c) the treatment has a significant effect on the stone's value. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated. Gemstone seller must disclose the Treatment (if any) in Gemstone to the customers for their interest. But, most of the sellers do not disclose full information to the customers. Shubh Gems has team of certified Professional Gemologists who are qualified to detect any treatment in Gemstones. The customer is given complete information and nothing is hidden about the gemstone.

Types of Treatments:

Treatments can be classified as first degree, second degree and third degree. Degree defines the intensity of the treatment. Mild treatments fall under first-degree treatments while extreme treatments fall under the category of third degree treatment.

1. Heating

Gemstones are exposed to high temperatures to enhance the color, clarity or both. This treatment is very simple and a first degree treatment. This treatment is commonly used for Sapphires, Rubies and some Quartz. Heating is not applicable to gemstones which are sensitive to Heat. Stones like Emerald, Coral and Opal may break when exposed to heat.

2. Oiling

Sometimes stones are immersed in colourless or coloured oils. Colorless oil is used just to retain the stones appearance and enhance their durability. Colourless oiling is common in Emeralds. Emeralds are heat sensitive stones, so they are generally stored in oil. This is completely acceptable. Colored oil is used to enhance or change the color of the stone. This is a second degree treatment and is not acceptable.

3. Dyeing

Colored dyes are injected into porous or fractured gemstones to change/enhance their color. Such fractures are sometimes purposely induced by heating the gem so that an otherwise non-porous material can more readily accept the dye. Such artificially colored gemstones should be avoided as such stones will have no astrological benefits.

4. Waxing

Waxing is generally used for opaque gemstones. It is done to improve the appearance & stability of porous gemstones. Surface cracks & cavities are often covered with wax to improve the surface texture of the stone. This treatment is commonly done on Coral and Turquoise stones. Waxing is a second degree treatment and not acceptable in astrological stones.

5. Fracture Filling/Glass Filling

Sometimes, fissures and cracks of stones are filled with molten glass. This improves the clarity and surface finish of the stone. At times, it is also used to improve the color of the stone by filling the stone with colored glass. Glass filled stones are much cheaper and less durable. Glass filled stones are also heat sensitive and may crack when exposed to heat. This is a third-degree treatment and should be avoided.

6. Re-construction

This treat is very common in case of Coral and Turquoise. A powdered stone is used to construct a new stone under favorable conditions of temperature and pressure. It is a third degree treatment. These stones should not be used in astrology. Reconstructed stones are often used in junk jewellery.

There are many more types of Treatments which are commonly done to gemstones. Any customer should be aware about the treatment when he/she buys the stone.

How to find out if your Gemstone is treated?

Firstly, buy certified and natural gemstones from a gem dealer and not a jeweller. A gemstone expert who has good knowledge of gemstones is qualified to check for any treatment himself. However, jewellers tend to simply trade gemstones without knowing much about them as they may not be fully aware about the treatments in a stone.

Secondly, when you buy a gemstone, always ask for lab-report from reputed laboratory. The report must mention any observations indicating treatment. It must also mention the treatment, if any.

Shubh Gems only deals in 100% natural, completely untreated and certified gemstones. All are gemstones are pre-certified and tested by qualified gemologists. We provide certificates from reputed lab and offer life long authentic guarantee. Additionally, all our stones are full activated and energised to be worn for astrological purposes.

Personalised Gemstone Consultation

Shubh Gems has a team of Gemstone / Healing Experts who guide you to choose the most suitable Gemstone based on your Birth-chart in Vedic Astrology. Have Query ?