We envision gemstones as Earth's pristine gifts, their colors an echo of elemental forces over millennia. However, when gazing into that flawless sapphire or dazzling ruby, most never question if what they’re seeing is truly natural. Within the gem trade, it's a dirty secret: those breathtaking displays of vibrant color often hold deceptive origins. Treatments – from subtle to extreme – are shockingly prevalent, transforming even lackluster stones into sought-after jewels. Let's pull back the curtain on this shadowy practice and dissect just how widespread it is within the industry.
Colored Gems Are Trickier Than Diamonds
Colored gemstones are more susceptible to enhancements and treatments due to the vast diversity in their types, each with unique characteristics and standards, lacking the clear, universal grading system that diamonds benefit from. This variability necessitates specialized knowledge for each type of colored gemstone, making it easier for treatments to be applied and less straightforward for consumers to assess their natural qualities and authenticity.
Popular Treatment Terminology
Before we dive deeper, let's decipher some common terminology you might encounter:
- Heating: Used to intensify color or improve clarity in a wide range of gems including sapphires, rubies, and citrine.
- Irradiation: Bombarding gems with radiation dramatically alters color to produce shades unachievable naturally (like electric blue topaz).
- Oiling/Resin Filling: Masking fractures within gems (frequently emeralds) to create the illusion of a flawless stone.
- Dyeing: Artificially adding or enhancing color, common in low-grade gemstones.
- Glass Filling The most extreme, infusing low-quality gems with lead glass to imitate pricier counterparts (often seen in some rubies).
Treatment Spectrum: Subtle to Shocking
Not all treatments are created equal. Some, like simple heating, aim to enhance hues present or improve crystal stability. Yet, others border on outright alchemy. Let's dive into a few shocking cases that show just how artificial "perfection" really is:- Luscious Emeralds: Faking the Deep Green: Up to 90% of emeralds owe their captivating color...to added oils! Naturally fractured crystals are saturated to mask defects, a secret few buyers realize.
- The Topaz Deception: That vivid electric blue topaz gracing trendy designs? Completely lab-created! From irradiation comes this color that simply doesn't exist naturally.
- Ruby Red...Or Is It? Glass infilling. We're not kidding. Low-grade corundum is fused with lead glass to mimic vibrant rubies, masquerading as something far more precious.
Why the Secrecy? Industry Profit vs. Consumer Choice
While some treatments address durability concerns, most primarily serve one purpose: inflating the perceived value of inferior stones to fuel higher profits. Shockingly, in many instances, jewelers aren't obligated to disclose such practices, leaving unsuspecting buyers to admire gems crafted from manipulated ingredients.
The deeper issue transcends financial loss. When we purchase what we believe are Earth's unfiltered treasures, there's a profound emotional and even spiritual connection forged. When that promise is tainted with artificial processes, a level of trust erodes.
Gems Where Treatment is the RULE, Not the Exception
It's not all doom and gloom! However, it's wise to remember certain popular gemstones nearly always receive a helping hand to look their best:
- Sapphires: Over 95% of sapphires undergo heat treatment to unlock those iconic, intense blues.
- Citrine: The vast majority of bright citrine on the market? It's amethyst, transformed via heating to change its color entirely.
- Aquamarine: Even gentle pastel aquamarine often owes its uniformity to heating processes to lessen greenish tones.
Knowledge is Power: Be a Conscious Consumer
This isn't about demonizing treatment outright. However, at STONED HEARTS 777 we believe you deserve to make informed choices. Before falling in love with any stone, ask boldly:- How widespread are treatments for this gemstone type?
- Was this specific stone manipulated, and if so, how?
- Does the treatment affect stability or the gem's ongoing care requirements?
How You Can Help the Industry Evolve
- Research specific gems + 'treatments' for insights on what you're looking at.
- Support brands prioritizing full transparency (yes, we shamelessly plug ourselves here 😉 ).
- Spread the word – share this with others who might not realize the extent of manipulation in the gem industry.
Learn more about Our Mission.
Check out our ALWAYS untreated & totally traceable gemstone pieces.