Gemstone Treatments

Though not common knowledge to the public, most gemstones are treated in some way to enhance their color and clarity. An untreated gemstone is a rarity. These treatments are common and widely accepted in the industry and normally do not de-value the stone.

Most retail jewelers do not divulge this information to their buying public or they themselves are not aware. If they are a reputable and ethical establishment then they will be honest if queried on the subject. Don't expect this information to be offered without inquiring first.

Heat treatment is the most common method used to color enhance gems. Tanzanite, which has become a very popular gemstone in jewelry and to collect is heat treated to obtain that gorgeous cornflower blue color with lavender tones and flashes of red. The rough must be heated to 600 degrees; otherwise, Tanzanite as we know it wouldn't exist.

Colored diamonds (which do occur naturally) are irradiated to obtain those most sought after colors of red and blue. Naturally colored diamonds are very, very costly and rare. The "Hope" diamond is an example of a natural blue diamond. Natural colored diamonds can come in a rainbow of colors such as blue, brown, yellow, orange, red, purple, pink, and green, but the cost is just to prohibitive for most people to obtain. Irradiated diamonds create those beautiful colors at a cost which is more affordable. Natural colored diamonds are radiated in the earth's crust which takes millions of years. Man has learned how to speed up the process and produce those same colors in the laboratory. Champagne and yellow diamonds are more abundant in nature and are not usually irradiated to obtain their color.

Topaz is another gemstone which requires treatment to obtain the colors it's known for such as the "London Blue" color which takes about 18 months to process. A recent popular color is called "Mystic Fire" which is a rainbow of colors in the same gem. Another popular color is pink. Pink topaz is much more affordable than pink sapphire. Pink is one of the most popular colors in gemstone jewelry. The "Mystic Fire" color was created by a process called bulk diffusion. Topaz naturally is white (also called silver) or the golden-peach color known as "precious" or "imperial" topaz which is the most rare and expensive of topaz. Due to the demand for the other colors such as Swiss Blue, London Blue, Pink, Mango, Neptune Blue, Mystic Fire, etc. white topaz (which is needed to create colored topaz) has become more and more scarce and risen in cost.

There are a number of gemstones that don't require nor will they take any kind of enhancement treatment. Their colors occur naturally right out of the earth. They only needed to be cut and polished to show off their beauty. Those gems that come to mind are garnets, chrome diopside, red spinel, and peridot.

Untreated gemstones are more rare and therefore may fetch a higher price than treated gemstones. As a collector or investor I would seek the non-enhanced variety if available and affordable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Learn and read more about gemstones by purchasing Debra's E-book titled "A New Collector's Gemstone Guide" at http://www.profitfromhomebiz.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---

Stockings ? Getting a Leg Up, Again

It hasn't been all that long since vintage stockings became... Read More

Colored Contact Lenses, the Hottest Trend in Cosmetics is Spreading Like Wildfire Across the Fashion

A cross between cosmetics and vision correction, everyone from movie... Read More

Fedoras & Floppy Hats - Hot Hot Hot for 2005 & 2006

For those of you that love hats you'll be in... Read More

Five Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion -... Read More

Sunglasses; Function Doesnt Have to be Ugly

There are many reasons that we wear sunglasses. They keep... Read More

Sterling Silver Jewelry -- Classic Simplicity

Sterling silver jewelry is synonymous with class and style in... Read More

Pearl Jewelry Fashion Trends in 2005

A single strand of classic cultured pearls is always in... Read More

Are You An Amber Gal?

Amber is a beautiful gift from mother nature. It comes... Read More

The Marc Jacobs Handbag is a Reflection of Style and Sophistication

The Marc Jacobs handbag is a reflection of style and... Read More

Kennith Cole Shoes

The Kenneth Cole men's shoes Reaction collection offers men everything... Read More

Belly Rings: Sexy is as Sexy Does

Body piercings have been the object of much controversy --... Read More

Wolf Jewelry: Dances With Vogue

When shopping for jewelry, one can see two extremes in... Read More

Guess Handbags Are A Popular Fashion Accessory!

Guess is a widely recognized brand name that most people... Read More

Five Must-Knows When Getting a Kanji Tattoo

Japanese tattoos are cool. But if a personal translator is... Read More

Tips in Choosing the Right Kind of Sunglasses

Today, sunglasses have become everyone's bestfriend. We never leave home... Read More

Threader Earrings -- a Fashion Jewelry Success Story

New jewelry fashions need several factors going for them if... Read More

Color Contact Lenses - Are They Safe?

Do you want to find out how you would look... Read More

Is Your Designer Handbag Authentic?

You pay a pretty penny for a Gucci bag or... Read More

Are You Good-Looking Enough For Your Job?

Beauty has muscle. Beauty captures our attention and pulls us... Read More

How You Can Be The New It Girl

I was reading an Instyle magazine article featuring Sharon Stone.... Read More

A Cigar Box Purse or Handbag is a Unique Fashion Accessory With a Touch of Old World Charm

There's an unmistakable charm about a cigar box purse or... Read More

Jewelry Gifts

When it is time for a gift for someone, nothing... Read More

Freshwater Pearl Necklace Sets Foundation for the Perfect Look

Have you been searching for that certain piece of jewelry... Read More

What is Your Fashion Style?

When it comes to clothing do you usually stick to... Read More

Fruity Fashion Picks & Tricks for Summer

Summer is here so it's time to freshen up that... Read More

How to Choose Lingerie

In my business, I talk to a lot of gals... Read More

Each Watch Band is Unique and Tells Its Own Story

Anyone who possesses a valuable and unique watch will also... Read More

Parrot Jewelry: Colorful, Exotic, Fun!

Parrot jewelry is the mark of a bird-lover, someone who... Read More

Diamond Hoop Earrings: The Divas Choice

Men grow cold as girls grow old And we all... Read More

Recycle Vintage Furs

Vintage is all the rage in fashion from sparkling costume... Read More

7 Keys to Powerful First Impressions

Image Development is the science and art of creating a... Read More

Diamond Stud Earrings: Elegant Unisexuality

A diamond stud earring is made up of just one... Read More

History of Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry

Back to the era of the Hawaiian monarchy, the origin... Read More