Gemstone Enhancements

ROUND BRILLIANT CUT STONES

Gemstone Enhancements

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Gemstone Code Enhancement Method Use Stability Care Notes
Alexandrite N None N/A N/A Normal
Amethyst H Heated to Lighten Color Occasional Excellent Special Some unheated stones may fade in color
Aquamarine H Heated to remove yellow Usually Excellent Normal
Beryl-Red H or O Colorless Oil to fill fissures Common Very Good Special Avoid High Temperature
Beryl-Pink H Heated to remove yellow Common Excellent Normal
Chrysoberyl N None N/A Excellent Normal
Chrysoberyl-Cats Eye R Irradiated to Change Color Occasional Excellent Normal
Diamond-Colorless LC Laser drilled to improve appearance Common/Occasional Very Good Normal
Diamond-Colored LC,F, or R Laser drilled to improve appearance

Irradiated for fancy color

Very Good

 

Occasional

Very Good

 

Fair/Poor

Normal

 

Special

Steaming/Ultrasonic may affect color/appearance

 

Emerald H or O Oil, Wax or Resin to improve appearance Common Fair/Very Good Special Avoid Chemicals/Ultrasonic
Garnet N None N/A N/A Normal
Kunzite H Heated to improve color Common Fair Special Avoid strong light/ultrasonic
Opal-White,Black N None N/A N/A Special Avoid Heat/Ultrasonic/Chemicals
Opal-White,Black O Impregnated with Oil Rarely Fair Special Avoid Heat/Ultrasonic/Chemicals
Opal-Boulder N None N/A N/A Normal
Opal-Boulder O Infusion of colorless substances Occasional Fair Special Avoid Heat/Ultrasonic/Chemicals
Opal-Fire N None N/A N/A Special Avoid Heat
Pearl-Natural B Bleached to improve color Common Very Good Special Avoid Chemicals
Pearl-Natural D Dyed to produce grey/black Rarely Good/Very Good Special Avoid Chemicals/Ultrasonic
Peridot N None N/A N/A Normal
Peridot H or O Improve appearance Rarely Good/Fair Special Avoid Heat/Ultrasonic/Chemicals
Ruby N None N/A N/A Normal
Ruby H Improve color/appearance Usually Excellent Normal
Ruby D or F Improve color/appearance Common Good/Poor Special Avoid Heat/Ultrasonic/Chemicals
Ruby DI Artificial color Occasional Good Special Avoid repolishing
Sapphire N None N/A N/A Normal
Sapphire H Improve color/appearance Usually Excellent Normal
Sapphire DI Artificial color Common Good Special Avoid repolishing
Sapphire R Intense yellow or orange color Occasional Very Poor Special Fades quickly in light/heat
Spinel N None N/A N/A Normal
Tanzanite H Heated to produce blue/violet color Usually Excellent Special Avoid temperature changes
Topaz-Blue R/H Heated/Irradiated for color Usually Excellent Normal
Topaz-Yellow/Orange R Intensify color Occasional Fair Special Avoid heat/strong light
Topaz-Pink H Heated for color Usually Excellent Normal
Topaz-Green R Irradiated to produce color Usually Good Special Avoid repolishing
Tourmaline N None N/A N/A Normal
Tourmaline H Heated for color Common Excellent Normal
Tourmaline R Irradiated to intensify color Common Good Normal
Zircon N None N/A N/A Special Avoid abrasives
Zircon H Heated for color Rarely Good Special Avoid abrasives/strong light
B Bleaching-Artificial Color
D Dyeing-Artificial Color
F Filling-Durability/Appearance
H Heating-Color/Clarity
R Irradiation-Color Enhancement
O Oiling/Resin Infusion-Appearance
N None
DI Diffusion-Chemicals and High Temperature-Artificial Color
WO Waxing Oiling-Colorless Wax or Oil Introduced for Clarity
LC Laser/Chemicals-Laser Chemicals to alter inclusions
PI Plastic Introduction-Durability/Appearance
WO Waxing Oiling-Appearance
HP Heating/Pressure-Color/Clarity

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