Gem treatments, or “enhancements,” are techniques commonly used in the gem trade to change the appearance, durability, or color of gemstones. These processes can significantly impact stones’ molecular or crystalline structure, as well as their physical and optical properties.
Many gem dealers select treatments for their immediate boost to a gemstone's marketability and appearance, often overlooking the adverse impacts on its long-term value, durability, and care needs. It's crucial for consumers to be aware of any treatments a gemstone has undergone, as this can influence its price and how it should be handled or maintained.
Heat Treatment
Description: Heat treatment involves exposing a gemstone to high temperatures to enhance or change its color and clarity. It is one of the oldest and most common forms of gemstone treatment.
Impact on Crystalline Structure: The heat can cause changes in the crystal lattice, sometimes repairing cracks or expanding them, altering the stone's clarity. It can also cause changes in the valence state of impurities within the crystal, affecting the gemstone's color.
Irradiation
Description: Irradiation is the process of exposing a gemstone to radiation to alter its color. This can be followed by heat treatment to stabilize the color changes.
Impact on Crystalline Structure The radiation can alter the electronic structure of the atoms within the crystal, changing how the gem absorbs light and thus its color. These changes can be stable or may require subsequent heating to stabilize the new color. The degree of change can depend on the type of gemstone and the radiation source.
Diffusion Treatment
Description: This treatment involves adding elements to the surface of the gemstone, usually sapphires, at high temperatures. The added elements diffuse into the stone, altering its color.
Impact on Crystalline Structure: The high temperatures can alter the crystal lattice near the surface, incorporating new elements into the structure to change the stone's color. This effect is usually limited to the surface layer of the crystal.
Fracture Filling
Description: Fracture filling involves injecting a glass, resin, or oil into surface-breaking cracks or fractures in the gemstone to improve its appearance and perceived clarity.
Impact on Crystalline Structure: While the primary aim is not to alter the crystal structure but to fill existing cracks, the introduction of foreign materials can affect the overall integrity and properties of the crystal. The treatment can improve the stone's appearance but may also affect its durability.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
Description: HPHT treatment is primarily used on diamonds to enhance or change their color. It simulates the natural conditions under which diamonds form.
Impact on Crystalline Structure: HPHT can significantly alter the crystal lattice of diamonds, affecting their optical properties. In some cases, it can decolorize or alter the color of the diamond.
Dyeing
Process: Dyeing involves introducing colorants into a gemstone to enhance or change its color, commonly used for porous gems like jade or agate.
Impact: The dye can occupy voids or fractures within the crystalline structure, altering the gem's color. This treatment does not typically alter the crystal structure itself but changes how the gem interacts with light, affecting its color.
Coating
Process: Coating involves applying thin layers of substances to the surface of a gemstone to enhance its color or luster.
Impact: This treatment changes the gem's surface properties without altering its internal crystalline structure. It can affect the gem's color and how it interacts with light, providing a temporary enhancement that can wear off over time.
What Can You Do?
Gemstone treatments, while enhancing the physical appearance and durability of gemstones, fundamentally alter their crystalline structures. These modifications can theoretically impact the stones' metaphysical and energetic properties that were formed deep within the Earth over millennia. Such changes may alter the stones’ ability to resonate with the human body and the environment, underscoring the importance of understanding both the scientific and esoteric implications of their usage.
At STONED HEARTS 777, we firmly believe that any short-term benefits of gem treatments are far outweighed by the importance of preserving the inherent natural energies of the stones. That’s why we take great time and care to ensure our stones are NEVER treated or enhanced in any way.
Have the Stones to Ask!
In the end, all that matters is that you get what YOU want out of your crystals, whether you choose to invest in our ideals for purity & single-origin sourcing or not. So keep yourself informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions about treatments. We’re here to help, wherever you’re at in your crystal journey!