Gemstone Treatment Codes
The AGTA has proposed the use of gemstone treatment codes to promote disclosure and a common language for these procedures. Learn what these codes mean.
By Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA, International Gem Society, updated on
The jewelry trade is certainly aware of the possibilities of fraud associated with non-disclosure of gemstone treatments. Various groups (including the Federal Trade Commission) have worked to find solutions acceptable to all parties in the industry. One group, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), has proposed a list of "codes" to use as product labels, indicating possible treatments.
AGTA Gemstone Treatment Codes
- ASBL - Assembled product
- B - Bleaching
- C - Coating
- CMP - Composite materials
- D - Dyeing
- F - Filling
- H - Heating
- I - Impregnation
- IMIT - Imitation
- L - Lasering
- N - Natural
- O - Oil/Resin Infusion
- R - Irradiation
- SYN - Synthetic
- U - Diffusion
- W - Waxing/Oiling
For more information, consult the AGTA Gemstone Information Manual. Note that consumers should still receive information on enhancements in "plain language," not simply codes. However, hopefully, these codes will promote a "uniform and consistent communication language."
This is an excellent start. One can only hope that awareness, disclosure, and integrity will converge to maintain the health and viability of one of the world's oldest commercial markets.
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