What Are Gemstone Treatments
There are different kinds of gemstone treatments. It's crucial to remember that different gemstone treatments have varying degrees of quality. Among these is the heat treatment, which is becoming more and more popular. As per established norms, thermal treatment of gemstones is appropriate. It is used by a broad range of premium jewelers in the business. Heating is the most popular method of treating gemstones, and it can cause their color to lighten, darken, or change entirely. It also typically improves their clarity and brightness.
The heating process takes place at temperatures between 450o and 1850o Celsius for two to twelve hours. Heating in a laboratory is usually irreversible and can only be detected by trained observers. Because Citrine occurs seldom in nature, heat treating amethyst produces an abundance of citrine (yellow, gold, and orange). Pink Topaz cannot be produced without heat treatment, and Tanzanite in violet and blue tones cannot be produced without it. Because these procedures are industry standard, gemstones remain accessible and reasonably priced.
Mostly Heat Treated Gemstone Include:
- Tanzanite
- Citrine
- Topaz
- Aquamarine
- Tourmaline
- Zircon
- Kunzite
- Morganite
- Smoky Wuartz
- Amber
- Carnelian
- Tiger Eye etc.
Does Heat Treatment Lower the Value of a Gemstone?
In the realm of gemstones, natural gemstones have traditionally held a superior position. Heat treated gemstones have an advantage over natural gemstones because they don't have the same premium or natural essence. While naturally occurring gemstones are worth far more than heated gemstones on the market, heat treated gemstones are not always worth less.
It's crucial to understand that most gemstones available today, especially Amethyst and others, have undergone some kind of heat treatment. This is to guarantee that the stone you purchase will be the highest calibre available for future generations to adore and treasure.
Drawbacks Of Heating Gemstones
Heat treatment at a lower temperature typically has no detrimental effects. In high temperatures, a gem, like rubies and sapphires, may become "slightly more brittle than usual, and care must be taken not to damage pointed faceted corners and edges". In addition, some of the gem's other mineral inclusions may enlarge more than the host gem. This leads to cracks, which could reduce the item's worth and toughness. The color and purity of a stone can be enhanced by heat treatment. Most of the time, there is no noticeable treatment. It is therefore advisable to treat claims made by sellers that the Aquamarine they sell is unheated with a grain of salt.
How To Know If Gemstone Is Heat Treated?
Even if it's simple to look for signs that a gemstone has been heated, it can often be difficult to tell if it hasn't. Heating signs typically don't appear until the stone has heated up significantly, as is the case with rubies and sapphires. Their heat treatment is usually apparent. Ruby and sapphires can withstand high temperatures. They often go hotter than 1000°C, and sometimes they even get hotter than 2000°C. The inclusions, which are distinct minerals, can, however, occasionally melt or rupture at such high temperatures. And that will demonstrate that heat has been applied to the stone. It is nearly impossible to tell whether a lot of semi-precious gemstones are heated. This is due to the low heat treatment temperature, which is possible in nature.
Why Do We Use Heat Treatment?
Improvements to gemstones, such heat treatment, make them more wearable and visually appealing. Based on the type of gem and intended outcome, the treatment is selected. In order to improve clarity and give gemstone specimens a more natural appearance, this treatment is frequently applied to them as well.
Most Common Heat Treated Gemstones?
Now that we’ve covered the ins-and-outs of heat treatment, let’s dive into the specific types of gemstones that undergo heat treatment and radiation.
Aquamarine
The name aquamarine appears first in the gemstone that is heat treated the most frequently. Its natural form becomes more verdant. The next best course of action, if the Aquamarine does not heat underground, is increased treatment. The greenish hue is eliminated by heat in a regulated setting, leaving a clear blue presence. After being heated, the enticing Aquamarine has a more attractive appearance.
Green Onyx
Like many other gemstones Green Onyx is heated and dyed to enhance the intensity of the colour. The green onyx which is originally dull unsaturated color through heat treatment is turned into a vibrant, rich emerald-green.
Amethyst
The gorgeous purple hued Amethyst is known for its lustrous appearance which is gained through heating. Heating removes the unwanted brownish tint in most natural Amethyst. Heat Treatment also lightens the color of the darker colored stones. Overall, the heated Amethyst is brighter and more vivid in color.
Citrine
Amethyst is the purple variation of quartz, while Citrine is the yellow variety. Certain amethyst varieties may undergo extensive heating to change from light purple amethyst to yellow citrine since citrine is less frequent.
Topaz
Pink topaz can be created by heating some yellow Topaz. Heat and radiation can cause colorless topaz to turn blue. London blue is the name given to a deep blue color, Swiss blue to a medium blue tone, and sky blue to a light blue color.
Tourmaline
Heat may lighten the color of dark green Tourmaline to emerald green, which is significantly more valuable on the market. Furthermore, heat can change the dark brown Tourmaline to a lighter shade.
Tanzanite
To obtain the vivid blue color with a violet undertone, nearly all tanzanites on the market undergo heat treatment. Deep blue natural Tanzanite is quite uncommon thus colour could be attained through heating.
Zircon
When heated in an oxygen-free atmosphere, certain brown Zircon can transform into more attractive blue zircons. If heated in air, it can also turn golden, crimson, or colorless.
Morganite
Similar to aquamarine, another member of the same mineral family, Morganite is heated to produce a more fashionable hue. The heated orange stones turn pink when they become morganite. A morganite with an orange color is more likely to have had this heat treatment.
Tiger Eye
Heat causes the yellow Tiger Eye to turn red. In the market, heat treatment is used on nearly all red tiger eyes. A red Tiger Eye costs the same as a yellow one.
Carnelian
When heated, carnelian can transform from a brown-yellow to an orange-red tint, albeit good-quality, naturally occurring Carnelian is not extremely uncommon.
Quartz Smoky
Heat can be used to very dark Smoky Quartz to brighten the hue. Furthermore, some smokey quartz may become yellow upon heating and be marketed as citrine.
Why Heat Treatment Is Used
Heat treatment is most commonly used to change color, though it can also be used to improve clarity. The temperature at which rubies and sapphires alter in clarity and color can be significantly higher. Heating a gem will alter, lighten, or darken its color. Amethyst is heated to reduce its color. With a little more heat, some amethyst sources will turn from a deep purple to an orange-colored citrine. If amethyst is heated any further, it may become milky or colorless, neither of which is ideal. Tanzanite starts to heat up at 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Looking inside a can of diesel gasoline reveals it to be finely textured, resembles rough tanzanite, and has a brownish bluish red tint. due to the heat-induced retention of the tanzanite blue and violet color in the gem. And the yellow hue has disappeared.
Is Buying Gemstones In Grams A Better Option?
You could spend less money on Gemstone Jewelry if you follow a few simple tips. One of the easiest ways to purchase jewelry at a reduced price is to purchase a set of gemstones measured in grams. Purchasing sterling silver in grams or statement jewelry would be less expensive than purchasing a single item. In addition to getting each piece for less than what is currently available, buying Gemstone Jewelry in bulk from a wholesaler would help in saving money.
Conclusion
The heat treatment by now is pretty clear to you. There are various Gemstones such as Tanzanite that owes its colour to the heat treatment. Heating indeed does not necessarily affect the value of the stone but yes natural occuring gemstones have a bit higher value in the market. The truth also is that almost all the gemstones out in the market there have been heated in order to enhance their appearance. Knowing that you should know how important it is to choose the right seller. Rananjay Exports is a well-known Wholesale Gemstone jewelry Manufacturer And Supplier who would provide you the best quality of Gemstone jewelry and ensure that you find your dream jewelry.
