An Intro to Gemstone Treatments and Enhancements

Heat treatment is a method used to permanently enhance the color and/or clarity of a gemstone by applying heat. The temperature and time required to alter gemstone color depends on the stone. For example, rubies and sapphires require more heat than other gemstones. While some stones become more color-saturated after a heat treatment, stones like amethyst will lighten under high temperatures.

Some may worry that high heat will damage the gemstones, but most gems are formed under high temperatures, and heat will not have a negative effect on the stone. Heat treatment is one of the most common practices in gemstone enhancement, and without it, the availability of fine gemstones would be significantly reduced. For this reason, heat treatment is an accepted practice by the jewelry industry and the American Gem Trade Association.

Infusion is the practice of filling a gemstone with a material like oil, wax, glass or resin in order to improve gemstone clarity. Like most gemstone enhancement procedures, this is a method that began centuries ago with the purpose of enhancing a gemstone’s overall appearance to the naked eye.

Coating adds additional protective layers to gemstones, varying in form and function. One of the most common materials used for coating gemstones is wax, which can improve the stone’s luster and protect gems from external oils and other damage. In other cases, artificial polymer, resin and oils are used to coat the gem and improve sturdiness and appearance. Coating is often used on gemstones cut into the shape of a cabochon gem, like turquoise and jade, and is also very commonly used on pearls.

Bleaching is commonly used to lighten the appearance of a gemstone. Chemicals like bleach and hydrogen peroxide are the most common lightening agents for gemstones. Bleaching also removes unwanted color in order to even out the appearance of the stone.

This is a relatively stable enhancement method for gems that won’t be re-cut or polished following the treatment, but bleaching may have a negative impact on the gem’s durability. For this reason, the bleaching method is often combined with an impregnation treatment to improve strength and durability.

Dyeing involves adding a coloring agent into a gemstone to give it a new color, intensify its existing color or to improve the overall color uniformity. Since color is the most important attribute of a gemstone, dyeing is one of the oldest enhancement methods in the industry.

Some believe that dyeing a gemstone decreases its value and renders it artificial, but this treatment only enhances its natural pigmentation—a dyed stone looks nearly identical to an undyed, much more expensive jewel.

Similar to heat treatment, irradiation is an enhancement method that uses radiation to alter and improve the color of a gemstone. Irradiation involves levels of ionizing radiation, which changes the atomic properties of the gemstone and results in a visible improvement in the gemstone's appearance.

The most common concern about irradiation is whether the radioactivity is safe for the wearer, and the answer is yes! There is no evidence of any harm from wearing an irradiated gemstone.

Gemstone enhancement techniques have been around for centuries and continue to be developed every year in order to provide consumers with the most beautiful gemstone jewelry available at an affordable price.

We are committed to working with the best industry professionals and gemologists to maintain our high-quality standards when it comes to gemstone enhancement.