Gemstone Treatments

Gemstone coatings are a simple way to enhance color and luster. Learn about commonly coated gems, different coating techniques, and how to detect…

There are so many common gemstone treatments available today that keeping track of them can be difficult. This list and handy cheat sheet can help.…

Disclosing enhancements to gems is a key duty for gemologists. Learn what are the hardest treatments to detect and how to report your findings clearly.…

Almost all cut emeralds have had clarity enhancements. Learn how these emerald enhancements work, what substances are used, and how to detect…

Emerald treatments, such as oiling, are very common. Learn what these techniques do, how emeralds are graded, and what gems make great green alternatives,…

Did you know that routine pearl treatments are the most common enhancements in the gem trade? Learn more about these procedures and how they impact…

With so many opal treatments on the market, it’s important to understand the different enhancement processes. Read on to learn how to detect…

We’ve tallied your opinions from our gem treatment survey. Are treated gems natural? How much should they cost? With a wide variety of attitudes…

Learn how to spot diffusion treated gems with a simple immersion test. This common treatment for sapphire can significantly reduce their value…

Two major problems plague the cut gemstone market: undisclosed gem treatments and substitutions of synthetic for natural gems. Gem buyers need…

Gemstone heat treatments can increase the beauty and value of many rough pieces. Learn how to conduct the most common procedures safely.

Two of the trickiest gemstone separations to make are scapolite from citrine and apatite from tourmaline. Learn some tips for distinguishing…

There’s more to aquamarine color than blue. Most natural stones start blue-green and are heated to blue. Learn the pros and cons of this treatment.…

Many techniques have been developed to enhance the appearance of Corundum gems. Some of the treatments are very subtle, invisible even with a loupe.…

When Identifying Inclusions found in Enhanced Gems, you have to be very careful when inspecting your stones. A clue is to find bubbles in the glue…

Earlier this year a new gem treatment was introduced, called “center-fused color treatment,” it may sound confusing at first, but it is actually…