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Gemstone Enhancements, Treatments & Care

Skillfully merging art and science, a variety of techniques are used to help gemstones reach their full potential. As critical as good cutting, enhancements and treatments are an integral part of the modern gemstone industry. With its roots in antiquity (e.g., heat treatment has been practiced in India for over 4,000 years), most of the techniques used simply facilitate the beautiful end results of the earth's natural processes. Below are some answers to common gemstone enhancement, treatment and care questions.

Is the use of enhancements and treatments globally accepted?

As long as they are disclosed, all permanent enhancements and treatments are globally accepted. As the majority of gemstones traded internationally have undergone some form of enhancement, always assume treatments when purchasing gemstones.

Are all enhancements and treatments permanent?

With the exception of Emeralds, whose beauty is enhanced and easily maintained by the application of oils or polymers, Thaigem.com only knowingly accepts enhancements and treatments that are permanent with normal wear. Our information sources for gem enhancements and treatments include university mineralogical, gemological and geology departments, gem laboratories, trade associations, regulatory bodies, professional journals, books, the internet, and individual experts.

Do enhancements or treatments affect a gem's value?

For some varieties there is no difference between the values of enhanced, treated or natural gemstones. However, high quality unheated Rubies and Sapphires are extremely rare and command a much higher market price. When purchasing Rubies and Sapphires, please be aware that unheated/untreated specimens are almost non-existent, and as a result, always purchase from a reliable source or have the seller's claim verified by a gemologist.

 How do I care for my gemstone jewelry?

Caring for your gemstone jewelry (i.e., normal wear) is a matter of common sense and simple precaution. For gemstone specific care instructions, please refer to the table below.

  • Always remove your jewelry when engaging in activities that risk impact or exposure to chemicals or heat such as sports or housework.
     

  • Always put jewelry on after using cosmetics, hair spray or perfumes, not before.
     
  • Never remove your jewelry by pulling on the gems.
     
  • Never store your jewelry in heaps and always store your gem necklaces flat. The best way to store your gemstone jewelry is in the separate compartments of a jewelry box or in cloth pouches.
     

  • Carefully wipe jewelry with a soft lint-free cloth after each wearing to remove oils and salts.
     

  • Once in a while, take the time to clean your jewelry. Always clean your jewelry with a cleaning solution or mechanical cleaner suitable for the gem.

What are mechanical cleaners?

The most common mechanical cleaners are ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Ultrasonic cleaners feature two basic parts: a small motor and a cleaning tank. The machine's motor produces ultrasonic energy that is transmitted with vibrating energy waves (usually 40,000 sound waves per second) to create microscopic bubbles in the cleaning tank. Called cavitation, this motion knocks dirt off the jewelry and is very effective in penetrating the tiny crevices in jewelry that traditional cleaning cloths and topical cleaners cannot easily reach. A steam cleaner uses jets of steam to literally blast dirt off jewelry. As some gemstones can be damaged by mechanical cleaners, always check to see if your gemstone is suitable.

How are gemstones enhanced or treated?

The following table shows the enhancements and treatments used for some popular gemstones, their purpose, frequency and care.
 
GEMSTONE HARDNESS TREATMENT EXPLANATION CARE STEAM CLEANING ULTRASONIC CLEANING
AGATE (DENDRITIC, FIRE, IRIS & MOSS) 6.5 - 7 Not treated. N/A Normal care. Yes. No.
ALEXANDRITE 8.5 Colorless oil, wax and resin 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 resin and/or impregnated with colorless plastic or hardened resin. Used to improve appearance, colorless wax or oil is usually applied while impregnation with colorless plastic or hardened resin 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 Heated. Sometimes used to provide/improve color. 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 7 Not treated. N/A Normal care. Yes. Yes.
AVENTURINE (BLACK) 7 Irradiated. Usually applied, this treatment is used to change 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 ENHANCED)  10  The process known as color enhancement 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, coatings 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 (ZULTANITE) 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 oil, polymer, wax and/or resin in fissures, and/or dyed with the use of colored oil, and/or open fractures or cavities filled with hardened resin. These treatments improve appearance. Colorless oil, polymer, wax and/or resin in fissures are usually applied. Dying with the use of colored oil is occasionally applied. Open fractures or cavities filled with hardened resin is commonly applied. Normal care. 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 applied, this treatment is used to imitate Turquoise or Lapis Lazuli. 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 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.
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.
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 resin 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 or irradiated. Commonly applied, this treatment eliminates yellow overtones. Normal care. Yes. No.
MORGANITE (GREEN) 7.5 - 8 Cobalt heated. Always applied, this treatment induces a vivid green color. Normal care. Yes. No.
NATROLITE 5 - 5.5 Not treated. N/A N/A Yes. Yes.
NEPHRITE (JADE) 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 JADE) 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 oil, wax, plastic or resin.  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, chemically treated or irradiated. Occasionally used, these treatments improve and/or change color and/or color 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 and/or change color and/or color 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 resin in fissures, and/or filled fractures with colorless hardened resin. Used to improve appearance, these treatments are rarely applied. This includes heating 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 resin. 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 dyed and/or bulk diffusion of certain additives during the heating process, and/or colorless oil or resin in fissures. Usually applied, these treatments produce, intensify or lighten color and/or improve color uniformity and/or appearance. Examples of the additives used include beryllium to permanently improve color and borax to 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.
RUBY (MADAGASCAN, MAJESTIC, MOZAMBIQUE & ROYAL) 9 Classified as composite gemstones, these Rubies are treated using heat and a high refractive index lead-glass to fill fractures and cavities and/or the bulk diffusion of certain additives (e.g., beryllium) during the heating process. Always applied, this treatment vastly improves the apparent clarity and potentially adds weight and/or intensifies color and/or color uniformity and/or appearance. The lead-glass is typically yellow to orange in color and can artificially augment the red color of these gems. 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. The lead-glass may be damaged by a variety of solvents. No. No.
SAPPHIRE 9 Heated and/or the healing of fissures and/or glass filled open fractures and cavities, and/or dyed and/or bulk diffusion of certain additives during the heating process, and/or colorless oil or resin in fissures. Usually applied, these treatments produce, intensify or lighten color and/or improves color uniformity and/or appearance. Examples of the additi