Gemstone Treatments

When looking at jewelry displayed in a jewelry case at a jewelry store, everything sparkles and shines. Not only are the lights specifically positioned to accentuate the beauty of the jewelry, it is important to understand, that in todays jewelry market, almost all gemstones are treated in some way. Although treatments are sometimes controversial, they have been a part of gem history since ancient times. Treated gems have even been found in the tomb of Egypts Pharaoh Tutankhamen. There was a Roman book written almost 2000 years ago that describes many treatment methods that are still used today.

Currently, treatments are vital to the jewelry industry. They make beautiful gems more available and affordable. Many people wouldnt purchase most jewelry available if the gems werent treated. Those same people would not be able to afford beautiful untreated gemstones. Treating gemstones allows almost everyone to wear quality fine jewelry that can be affordable. Probably before reading about it, most people didnt even notice that the gemstone in their jewelry was treated.

Lets take a look at some of the most common treatments used on what gems and what they do.

Bleaching: Chemicals such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide are used to lighten or remove color or dark blemishes. This is a procedure that is commonly used on cultured pearls. It is also used on gems such as, chalcedony, tigers eye, and jade.

Dyeing: This treatment is common for translucent and opaque gems such as cultured pearls, lapis, opal, tigers eye, turquoise, and chalcedony. A chemical coloring agent is used to improve or change their color.

Coating: Many different substances are used as coatings oil, wax, paint, varnish, foil, or plastic to improve or change the color by applying them to a gems surface. Coatings can also make the polish look better.

Diffusion: Heating a gem to a high temperature while its in contact with select chemicals causes the chemicals to penetrate the gems surface and actually become a part of the crystal and it changes the gems color in the process. Deep diffusion is used on pale sapphires to create a variety of more intense colors, including green, violet, yellow, and orange.

Filling: There are two versions of this treatment: fracture filling and cavity filling. In fracture filling, breaks that reach the gems surface are filled to make them less visible. In cavity filling, larger surface openings are filled for the same purpose. Fracture fillings include colorless oils, resins and glass. Cavity fillings are usually glass or plastic. Fracture filling is most common for emeralds, while cavity filling is used with rubies and sapphires.

Heating: High temperatures are commonly used to improve or change the color of certain gems to include, green and pink tourmaline, zircon, pink and red topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, amber, citrine, carnelian, blue and yellow sapphire, and ruby.

Irradiation: Routine for blue topaz and smoky quartz, exposure to high-energy radiation or bombardment with subatomic particles will change its color. It is also commonly used on amethyst, tourmaline, and cultured pearls.

Keeping all this in mind, do not be deterred by the fact that most gems have been treated. These treatments are not much different than cutting and faceting gems to enhance their appearance. Man, for centuries, has tried to develop methods to enhance gemstones to ensure their maximum appeal to the eye.

You will find beautiful gems in the fine jewelry that is for sale at Gray & Sons Jewelry. Request their free catalog today to see their selection of fine jewelry, estate jewelry, and fine watches that are prefect to buy for yourself or as a gift.

About the Author:
Read More about Gemstone Treatments. For the finest used and preowned watches and estate jewelry visit Gray And Sons. Order a free jewelry catalog to see their entire collection, today.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Tags: necklace watch watches jewelry diamond silver gold platinum marriage rings ring braclet estate jewelry used jewelry preowned jewelry rolex cartier

Related....

Videos...

Recent Resumes-Cover-Letters Articles

Get The Right Candidate Through Bristol Recruitment Agencies By: AlfieH. | May 29th 2012 - This article points out the need to utilise the services of recruitment agencies. In addition, it presents the advantages that this option offers.

Bristol recruitment agencies

How To Write Winning Professional Resume Objectives By: Jean | May 22nd 2012 - This article is all about writing a professional resume objective. Resume has different sections in it and objective is one of important and smallest section of resume. This post will guide you about this important section by its beautiful tips.

It Technician Job Description By: Michael Best | May 21st 2012 - An IT Technician Job Description can vary slightly from company to company depending on the size of the business, however, the basics of the job will remain the same. An IT technician is liable for installing and monitoring software on company computers, diagnosing and repairing fault ...

IT technician

technician job description

Making Your Michigan Home Security Strategy Fireplace On Just About All Cylinders By: stevenn | May 19th 2012 - Making great actions inside your Michigan security alarm plan is the best way to get started on the direction to security for the family. There is no question about that. However, in the middle of daring statements such as great home alarm consoles along with other yard monitoring measu ...

Good Resumes Examples By: Good Resumes Examples | May 10th 2012 - We provide an excellent resume keyword service to job seekers for their bright career. Resume keyword service will add great potential to your resume. We are very proud to say that we are competing with top resume writers and as well our customers feedback is proving it because we wi ...

good resumes examples

resume keywords

Why Are Data Scientist Jobs, Data Mining Jobs And Algorithm Jobs In Greater Demand? By: cisankur12 | May 9th 2012 - In the last few years there has been a huge increase in demand for big data analysis and therefore more need for data scientist jobs, data mining jobs, algorithm jobs and machine learning jobs with many people choosing data mining careers. But why has there been such an increase in dema ...

data mining careers

algorithm job

algorithm jobs

Problematic Motorists Look For Expert Towing Services By: Robert-Lson7 | May 3rd 2012 - Vehicle owners and motorists will never stop until they find efficient towing services.The services drivers look for is not limited to towing but pulling the car to safety and making necessary repairs as well.

towing services

car towing

Writing Your First Resume After Music Production School By: Percy Evans | Apr 23rd 2012 - You know that you need to write a resume, but youre not sure how. Here are some basic guidelines for soon-to-be graduates of music production school.

Music production school

DJ training

music production

Electronic Cvs And Traditional Cvs By: Mike Kelley | Apr 19th 2012 - With the invention of the computer and growth in technology, the Internet is increasingly being used by individuals, whether they are participating in social networks, working from home, or sending CVs to apply for jobs.

Interview Training Assisting You In Reaching Your Potential By: JonPaul Brett | Apr 17th 2012 - Interview Training and Interview Coaching are some of the most useful training that you are ever likely to undertake. They are, of course, curial for career interviews but have a number of meaningful secondary effects.

CV Writing

Covering Letter Writing

Interview Training

Bespoke Services UK

interview training service

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Site Navigation: