 |
|
GEMSTONE |
HARDNESS |
TREATMENT |
EXPLANATION |
CARE |
STEAM CLEANING |
ULTRASONIC CLEANING |
| AGATE |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed or heated. |
Used to alter
color, these treatments are usually applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| AGATE (DENDRITIC,
FIRE, IRIS & MOSS) |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| ALEXANDRITE |
8.5 |
Colorless oils,
wax and resins in fissures. |
Used to improve
appearance, these treatments are rarely used. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| AMAZONITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Colorless wax
or oil, paraffin or hardened resins and/or impregnated with colorless plastic
or hardened resins. |
Used to improve
appearance, colorless wax or oil is usually applied while impregnation with
colorless plastic or hardened resins is occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes.
|
No. |
| AMBER |
2 - 2.5 |
Dyed, surface
treated or heated. |
Used to improve
appearance and/or to deepen color, dying and surface treatments are rarely
applied while heating is usually applied. |
Normal care.
Coated gemstones are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. |
No. |
No. |
| AMBYGLONITE |
5.5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
Yes. |
No. |
| AMETHYST
|
7 |
Heated. |
Used to lighten
color and/or to remove smokiness, this treatment is only occasionally applied.
|
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| AMETHYST
(GREEN) |
7 |
Heated or irradiated. |
This treatment
provides/improves color and appearance and is usually applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| AMETRINE |
7 |
Heated. |
Rarely used
to improve color. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| AMMOLITE |
4 |
Impregnated
with colorless hardened substances. |
This treatment
is commonly used to increase stability. |
Normal care.
Coated gemstones are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. |
Yes. |
No. |
| ANATASE |
5.5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| ANDALUSITE |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| ANDESINE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| ANGLESITE |
2 - 3 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| APATITE |
5 |
Heated. |
Usually applied,
this treatment improves appearance and/or deepens color. |
Normal care.
|
No. |
No. |
| APOPHYLLITE |
4.5 - 5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
No. |
No. |
| AQUAMARINE |
7.5 - 8 |
Heated. |
Used to remove
yellow components to produce a purer blue color this treatment is usually
applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| ARAGONITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| AVENTURINE
(BLACK) |
7 |
Irradiated. |
Usually applied,
this treatment is used to change the color. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| AXINITE |
6 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| AZURITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Surface colorless
waxing and/ or impregnated with colorless oil, wax or resin. |
Used to improve
appearance, surface colorless waxing is commonly applied while impregnation
with colorless oil, wax or resin is rarely applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| AZURMALACHITE
(AZURITE MALACHITE) |
3.5 - 4 |
Surface waxing
and/or impregnated with colorless plastic or hardened resin. |
Used to improve
stability, durability, luster and/or color, surface waxing is commonly applied
while impregnation with colorless plastic or hardened resin is rarely applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| AZURITE (DRUZY)
|
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| BARITE |
2.5 - 3.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| BASTNAESITE |
4 - 4.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| BIXBITE |
7.5-8 |
Colorless oil
and resin. |
This treatment
is commonly used to improve appearance. |
Normal care. |
No. |
No. |
| BLOODSTONE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| BORACITE |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| BRAZILIANITE |
5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| BURBANKITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| BUSTAMITE |
3.32 - 3.43 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| CALCITE |
3 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| CASSITERITE |
6 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| CELESTITE |
3 - 3.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| CHALCEDONY
(BLUE & GREEN) |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed. |
This treatment
is commonly used to improve color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| CHAROITE |
6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| CHRYSOBERYL
(BROWN, GREEN, YELLOW) |
8.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| CHRYSOBERYL
(CAT’S EYE) |
8.5 |
Irradiated. |
Uncommonly applied,
this treatment is used to change color and to improve Chatoyancy. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| CHRYSOCOLLA |
2 - 4 |
Surface colorless
waxing and/or impregnation with colorless plastic or hardened resin. |
Used to improve
appearance, these treatments are occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| CHRYSOPRASE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| CINNABAR |
2 - 2.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| CITRINE |
7 |
Heated or irradiated. |
Usually applied,
this treatment produces color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| CLINOHUMITE |
6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| CORNELIAN |
6.5 - 7 |
Heated and/or
dyed. |
Used to produce
color, heating is usually applied while dying is occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| CREEDITE |
4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| DANBURITE
(WHITE) |
7 – 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| DANBURITE
(BROWN) |
7 - 7.5 |
Irradiated. |
Commonly applied
to improve appearance. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| DATOLITE |
5 - 5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| DIAMOND (COLOR
TREATED) |
10 |
Irradiated.
The process known as color treatment involves using clean Diamonds and modifying
their color with a combination of electron bombardment and heat using safe
electron-accelerator technology. This process exactly duplicates the natural
exposure of Diamond crystals to radioactive elements during their formation. |
Used to improve
color intensity or to produce unique colors, this treatment is always applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| DIAMOND |
10 |
Laser drilled. |
This is occasionally
used to improve appearance. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| DIAMOND (WHITE
TO FAINT YELLOW) |
10 |
Coated, pressure
heated and fractured filled. |
Used to disguise
off color, Coating are rarely applied. Fracture filling is occasionally
applied to improve clarity and pressure heating is rarely applied to improve
clarity. |
Normal care.
Coated gemstones are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. |
Yes. |
No. |
| DIASPORE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| DIOPSIDE |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| DOLOMITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| DUMORTIERITE |
7 - 8.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| EKANITE |
6 - 6.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| EMERALD |
7.5 - 8 |
Colorless oils,
polymers, wax, resins in fissures and/or dyed with the use of colored oils
and/or open fractures or cavities filled with hardened resins. |
These
treatments improve appearance. Colorless oils, polymers, wax, resins in
fissures are usually applied. Dying with the use of colored oils is occasionally
applied. Open fractures or cavities filled with hardened resins are commonly
applied. |
Normal care.
Periodically, enquire if they need to be re-oiled. |
No. |
No. |
| ENSTATITE |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| EOSPHORITE |
5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| EPIDOTE |
6 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| EUCLASE |
7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| EUDIALYTE |
5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| FIRE BERYL™ |
7.5 - 8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| FLUORITE
(BLUE, GREEN & PURPLE) |
4 |
Irradiated or
heated. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment provides color. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| FLUORITE
(WHITE) |
4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| FOSSILS |
N/A |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| GAHNITE |
7.5 - 8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| GARNET |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| GENTHELVITE |
6 - 6.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| GLACIER TOPAZ™
|
8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
No. |
No. |
| HAUYNE |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| HELIODOR
(CAT’S EYE) |
7 – 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| HELIODOR |
7 - 7.5 |
Irradiated. |
Usually applied,
this treatment provides color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| HEMATITE |
5.5 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| HEMIMORPHITE |
5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| HERDERITE
|
5 - 5.5
|
Not treated.
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| HIDDENITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Irradiated. |
Rarely used,
this treatment improves and/or provides color and uniformity. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| HOWLITE (BLUE) |
3 - 3.5 |
Dyed. |
Commonly used,
this treatment is used only when imitating Turquoise. |
Normal care. |
No. |
No. |
| HOWLITE (WHITE) |
3 - 3.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| IDOCRASE |
6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| IOLITE |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| JADEITE (JADE) |
6.5 - 7 |
Colorless polymer
impregnation and/or polymer and colorless polymer impregnation followed
by acid treatment and/ or dyed. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment improves color and uniformity. |
Normal care.
|
Yes.
|
No. |
| JASPER |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment is used to imitate other gemstones. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| JASPER (MULTI-COLORED) |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| KORNERUPINE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| KUNZITE (GREEN
& CAT’S EYE) |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes.
|
No. |
| KUNZITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Heated or irradiated. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment improves and/or darkens color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| KYANITE |
4 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| LABRADORITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Surface colorless
waxing. |
Occasionally
applied to improve appearance. |
Normal care.
|
Yes.
|
No. |
| LAPIS LAZULI |
5 - 6 |
Surface colorless
waxing and/or dyed. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment is used to provide color and/or color uniformity. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| LARIMAR |
5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| LEIFITE |
6 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| MAGNESITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| MALACHITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Surface colorless
waxing and/or impregnated with colorless plastic or hardened resin. |
These treatments
are used to improve the gem’s color. Surface colorless waxing and/or coating
with colorless wax are occasionally applied. Impregnation with colorless
plastic or hardened resin is rarely applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| MAMMOTH IVORY |
2 - 3 |
Impregnated
with colorless plastic or hardened resins and/or colorless surface waxing
and/or dyed and/or bleached. |
These treatments
are commonly used to increase stability. Impregnation with colorless plastic
or hardened resins and bleaching are commonly applied. Colorless surface
waxing and dying are occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
|
No. |
No. |
| MANGANOTANTALITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| MARCASITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| MAWSITSIT |
6 - 8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| MELLITE |
2 - 2.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| MILARTE |
5.5 - 6 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| MOLDAVITE |
5.5 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| MONAZITE |
5 - 5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| MONTEBRASITE |
5.5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| MOOKITE |
6.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| MOONSTONE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| MORGANITE |
7.5 - 8 |
Heated. |
Commonly applied,
this treatment eliminates yellow overtones. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| MORGANITE
(GREEN) |
7.5 - 8 |
Cobalt heated. |
Always applied,
this treatment induces vivid green color. |
Normal care. |
Yes.
|
No. |
| NATROLITE |
5 - 5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| NEPHRITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed and/or impregnated
with colorless oil, wax or resin. |
Rarely used,
this treatment improves color and uniformity. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| NEPHRITE
(CAT’S EYE) |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated.
|
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes.
|
No. |
| NUUMMIT |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| OBSIDIAN |
5.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| OLIGOCLASE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| ONYX |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed. |
Always applied,
this treatment is used to achieve color uniformity. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| OPAL (BLACK,
SEMI-BLACK & WHITE) |
5.5 - 6 |
Impregnated
with colorless oils, waxes, plastic or resins. |
Used to improve
durability, appearance and color, this treatment is rarely applied.
|
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep
away from heat and drying environments. Some gemstones are prone to damage
due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes.
|
No. |
No. |
| OPAL (BOULDER) |
5.5 – 6 |
Infusion of
unhardened colorless substances into voids. |
Used to improve
appearance, this treatment is occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep
away from heat and drying environments. Some gemstones are prone to damage
due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| OPAL (CAT’S
EYE) |
5.5 – 6 |
Impregnated
with colorless plastic. |
Used to improve
durability and color, this treatment is usually applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep
away from heat and drying environments. Some gemstones are prone to damage
due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| OPAL (FIRE
& MOSS) |
5.5 – 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep
away from heat and drying environments. Some gemstones are prone to damage
due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No.
|
| PARISITE |
4.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| PEARL (CULTURED) |
2.5 - 4.5 |
Bleached, dyed
or chemically treated. |
Occasionally
used, these treatments improve color and uniformity. |
Clean either
by wiping gently with a moist cloth or rinsing and gently patting dry with
a soft cloth. |
No. |
No. |
| MOTHER OF
PEARL |
2.5 - 4.5 |
Coated, dyed
or bleached. |
Occasionally
used, these treatments improve color and uniformity. |
Clean either
by wiping gently with a moist cloth or rinsing and gently patting dry with
a soft cloth. |
No. |
No. |
| PECTOLITE |
4.5 - 5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| PERIDOT |
6.5 - 7 |
Heat, colorless
oil, wax or resins in fissures and/ or filled fractures with colorless hardened
resin. |
Used to improve
appearance, this treatment is rarely applied. Rarely heated to oxidize specific
minerals to enhance color. |
. Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| PETALITE |
6 - 6.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| PEZZOTTAITE |
8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
No. |
No. |
| PHENAKITE |
7.5 - 8 |
Not treated. |
N/A. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| POLLUCITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| PRASIOLITE |
7 |
Heated. |
This treatment
improves color and appearance and is usually applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes.
|
No. |
| PREHNITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| PYRITE
|
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| PYROXMANGITE |
5.5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| QUARTZ |
7 |
Heated, irradiated
or coated. |
Occasionally
applied, this treatment improves color or produces unique colors. |
Normal care.
Gemstones with superficial color (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable
for re-cutting or re-polishing. |
Yes. |
No. |
| QUARTZ (BLUE
MOON) |
7 |
Heated. |
This treatment
provides/improves color and appearance and is usually applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| QUARTZ (CAT’S
EYE, RUTILATED & ROSE) |
7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| QUARTZ (SMOKY) |
7 |
Irradiated. |
Used to alter
color, this treatment is occasionally applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| QUARTZITE |
7 |
Dyed and/or impregnated
with colorless plastic or hardened resins. |
Used to improve
appearance, this treatment is occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| REMONDITE |
3 - 3.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| RHODOCHROSITE |
7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| RHODONITE |
7 |
Dyed. |
Used for color
uniformity, this treatment is occasionally applied. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| RUBY |
9 |
Heated and/or
the healing of fissures and/or glass filled open fractures and cavities
and/or lead glass filled open fractures and cavities and/or dyed and/or
bulk diffusion of certain elements during the heating process and/or colorless
oil or resin in fissures. |
Usually applied,
these treatments produces, intensifies or lightens color and/or improves
color uniformity and or appearance. Examples of the additives used include
beryllium (i.e. light element) to permanently improve color and borax or
lead (i.e. glass) to permanently improve appearance. |
Normal care.
Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures and/or open fractures can scratch more
easily than the host gem or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some
chemicals. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| SAPPHIRE |
9 |
Heated and/or
the healing of fissures and/or glass filled open fractures and cavities
and/or lead glass filled open fractures and cavities and/or dyed and/or
bulk diffusion of certain elements during the heating process and/or colorless
oil or resin in fissures. |
Usually applied,
these treatments produces, intensifies or lightens color and/or improves
color uniformity and or appearance. Examples of the additives used include
beryllium (i.e. light element) to permanently improve color and borax or
lead (i.e. glass) to permanently improve appearance. |
Normal care.
Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures and/or open fractures can scratch more
easily than the host gem or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some
chemicals. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| SARD |
6.5 - 7 |
Dyed or heated. |
This treatment
is used to provide color. Heating is usually applied while dying is occasionally
applied. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SARDONYX |
6.5 |
Dyed. |
Usually used,
this treatment improves color. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SCAPOLITE
(YELLOW) |
5.5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SCAPOLITE
(VIOLET) |
5.5 - 6 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SCHEELITE |
4.5 - 5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SCOLECITE |
5 - 5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SELLAITE |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SENARMONTITE |
2 - 2.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Very fragile,
handle with care. |
N/A |
N/A |
| SERANDITE |
4.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SHELL (PINK) |
4 |
Dyed. |
Often applied
to improve color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| SHORTITE |
3 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SIDERITE |
4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SILLIMANITE |
6 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| SINHALITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| SMITHSONITE |
4 - 5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| SODALITE |
5.5 - 6 |
Dyed. |
Rarely applied,
this treatment is used to improve color. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SPECTROLITE
|
6 - 6.5 |
Surface colorless
waxing. |
Occasionally
applied to improve appearance. |
Normal care.
|
No. |
No. |
| SPHALERITE |
3.5 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Very fragile, handle with care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SPHENE |
5 - 5.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| SPINEL |
8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| STAUROLITE |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SUGILITE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| SUNSTONE |
6 - 6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| TANOLITE™ |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| TANZANITE |
6.5 - 7 |
Heated. |
Usually applied,
this treatment produces the colors for which this gem is known. Usually
applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| THAUMASITE |
3.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| TIGER’S EYE |
7 |
Dyed, bleached
or heated. |
Used to improve
color, these treatments are commonly applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| TIGER’S EYE
(VIOLET) |
7 |
Heated. |
This treatment
is occasionally applied to improve the color. |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| TITANIUM
(DRUZY) |
7 |
Titanium Coated. |
This treatment
changes the surface of the gem permanently into a rainbow effect. |
Normal care. |
No. |
Yes. |
| TOPAZ (EXCEPT
WHITE) |
8 |
Irradiated,
heated, coatings and/or diffused. |
Used to improve
color intensity or to produce unique colors, these treatments are usually
applied. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating involves the application
of a bonded layer of fine titanium atoms (USA Patent Number 5,853,826 for
Azotic Coating Technologies Inc.). When this oxide treatment falls within
a certain thickness, optical interference produces a variety of colors. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
Gemstones with superficial color (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable
for re-cutting or re-polishing. |
No. |
No. |
| TOURMALINE |
7 - 7.5 |
Heated and/or
irradiated and/or filling of colorless oils, resins and waxes in fissures
and/or cavities fractures filled with colorless hardened substances. |
Used to improve
color intensity and appearance these treatments are commonly applied.
|
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| TOURMALINE
(CAT’S EYE, CHROME, BI-COLORED, PARTY & WATERMELON) |
7 - 7.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| TREMOLITE |
5 - 6 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
No. |
| TUGTUPITE |
4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| TURQUOISE |
5 - 6 |
Impregnated
with plastic and/or surface colorless waxing and/or dyed. |
These treatments
improve stability, durability, luster and/or color. Impregnation with plastic
and surface colorless waxing are commonly applied. Dying is rarely used. |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| UNAKITE |
6 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| VESUVIANITE |
6.5 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| VILLIAUMITE |
2 - 2.8 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| WILLEMITE
(BLUE) |
5.5 |
Heated. |
This treatment
is used to change the color from white to blue. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them
to extreme temperature changes. |
No. |
No. |
| WILSONITE |
3 - 4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| WULFENITE |
2.28 - 2.4 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
Yes. |
No. |
| ZIRCON (BLUE,
RED, WHITE & YELLOW) |
6.5 - 7 |
Heated. |
Used to improve
color this treatment is always applied. |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
| ZIRCON (BROWN
& GREEN) |
6.5 - 7 |
Not treated. |
N/A |
Normal care.
Some gemstones fade or revert to their original color when exposed to strong
light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions.
|
Yes. |
No. |
|
|
