What is diffusion treatment for Sapphire?
Apr 21, 2022 · The diffusion treatment technique using beryllium can penetrate more profoundly into the sapphire because it has a smaller atomic structure. It is used to lessen or eliminate the blue tint in overly dark sapphires. There may be some remnants of a yellow hue inside the stone after the treatment.
What is a treated Sapphire?
Jul 14, 2016 · Sapphire gemstone showcasing myriad colours like vibrant red, fiery purple, electrifying blue, silky yellow and pitch dark blacks are produced using diffusion through the crystal structure. In some cases, sapphire beads are treated with lattice diffusion that can have shallow embeds of colours superficially exhibited on the surface. In others, the colours can …
Can a diffused Sapphire be polished or recut?
The diffusion technique, which involves the addition of color-causing chemicnls during heat trentment, results in a thin layer of color at the surface of colorless or light-colored sapphire.
What is diffused Star Sapphire?
Lattice diffusion is a treatment process that uses heat and chemicals to diffuse an element into a gemstone to artificially change its color. Lattice diffusion–treated sapphires can be any color. In some cases the added color is shallow. In others, it goes all the way through the stone. contact us Toll Free 800-421-7250 Outside U.S. & Canada
What does it mean if a sapphire is diffused?
Shigley, and Emmanuel Fritsch. Blue diffusion-treated sapphires are be- coming more prevalent than ever before. The diffusion technique, which involves the addition of color-causing chemicnls during heat trentment, results in a thin layer of color at the surface of colorless or light-colored sapphire.
Are diffused sapphires worth anything?
Sapphires that have obtained their color from diffusion treatments have little intrinsic value. Reputable dealers will identify diffusion-treated sapphires and offer them at prices well below those of natural, untreated stones.
What does it mean to diffuse a gemstone?
Diffusion is a technique whereby certain natural elements, those used in nature when colouring allochromatic gems, are placed on the surface of the gem during the heating process and the colour is diffused into the gem.
What is diffused stone treatment?
Diffusion treatment consists of exposing the surface of a stone to certain chemicals combined with high heat in a furnace. Generally, only the surface color changes, so if you sliced the gem in half, the inside of the stone would be a different color, usually a paler, less valuable color.Sep 4, 2006
How do you test a diffused sapphire?
Magnification: The Visual Test The key indicator of diffusion is color bleeding — dark concentrations of the stone's color — around pits and fractures that extend to the stone's surface. Other indicators of treatment include melted crystals, spotty stripes of color, fractures around inclusions, and pits on the surface.May 27, 2020
How do you know if blue sapphire is heat treated?
1:163:28How to tell the difference between Unheated and Heated Sapphire by ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgain you're looking at these fine lines. Which are in 60 degree angles which are intact. In thereMoreAgain you're looking at these fine lines. Which are in 60 degree angles which are intact. In there they don't have anything broken or completely clean. So this is a strong indicator. And how to check
How do you tell if a gemstone has been heat treated?
Heat treatment is a very risky process as many gems have inclusions that expand at a different rate and cause stress fractures, which then becomes an identifying characteristic of heated gems, particularly sapphire and ruby which can display halos around inclusions within the gem.
Why are sapphires heat treated?
Heat Treating sapphires is a standard industry practice that improves the clarity and enhances the color of sapphires from Gem Mountain. Most people prefer the darker color saturation and improved clarity and brilliance of a heat treated stone over the pale pastel color of the average rough sapphire.
What is beryllium treated sapphire?
Beryllium treatment is a form of heat treatment, mainly for sapphire, that adds the element beryllium to the heating process. Beryllium is a well-known element in the gem world, since it is an essential constituent of many gemstones, including emerald, beryl, aquamarine and chrysoberyl.Sep 12, 2006
How can you tell if topaz is heat treated?
THE HEbT TREATMENT OF TOPAZ A heating step is usually required to remove the yellow to brown color and reveal any blue that may be present.
What is a sapphire treatment?
Sapphire Treatments. Sapphire Treatments refers to the process of improving the clarity, colour and value of Sapphires that have been mined out of the ground. There are many types of Sapphire Treatments that are common practice in the market today and this article will outline them.
What is the process of chemical diffusion of sapphires?
Beryllium Treatment. The chemical diffusion process is carried out by multiple heat treatments of the sapphire in the presence of artificially introduced elements like beryllium, which penetrate the structure of the Sapphire.
What is surface diffusion?
Surface Diffusion. This treatment is very similar to the Beryllium treatment, however Titanium is used to “coat” the Sapphire. The Titanium treatment is carried out to enhance the colour and brilliance of blue Sapphires, but the depth of penetration is far less than that for beryllium treatment and consequently repolishing ...
What is a low quality sapphire?
A low quality Sapphire that contains surface reaching fissures or cracks is filled with a cobalt rich form of glass. The Cobalt turns the Sapphire blue while the glass fills the cavities and improves the clarity. This treatment must be disclosed clearly on all Sapphires.
Can you heat treated sapphires?
In certain cases the amount of included material is too great to be removed by the simple one-off heat treatment process. So multiple heat treatments are done, sometimes in the presence of fluxing agents, which eventually lead to a clearer or brighter stone of an acceptable colour. This form of treatment is also accepted in the industry as simple heat treatment. View all Heated Sapphires.
Why is it important to cut sapphires?
The quality of a stone’s cut is extremely important and can vary greatly as to how well it succeeds in revealing the full potential and beauty of the sapphire. A well cut stone demonstrates great play-of-light throughout the sapphire, showing off its color and sparkle. The clarity of a sapphire is important as well.
What is an untreated sapphire?
The key term is “untreated,” meaning a sapphire is natural (not lab created) and has not been subject to any chemical or heat treatments. Approximately only 0.5 - 1% of the sapphires discovered are of gem quality without treatment. Natural untreated sapphires are far more uncommon and valuable than treated and chemically altered stones.
Why are sapphires considered natural?
These processes may increase the stone’s beauty, but not its value. A sapphire can be listed as “natural” simply because it is not lab created. However, “natural” does not mean the sapphire has not undergone any alterations. The key term is “untreated,” meaning a sapphire is natural (not lab created) and has not been subject to any chemical or heat treatments. Approximately only 0.5 - 1% of the sapphires discovered are of gem quality without treatment. Natural untreated sapphires are far more uncommon and valuable than treated and chemically altered stones.
What is the most important factor in the selection process for a sapphire?
The selection process for a sapphire does not end with the decision to buy an untreated stone. The most important contributing factor in a sapphire's beauty is its color. Sapphires are known for their blue hues, but they come in a wide range of colors, and the choice of color is highly personal. The rich, deep, and pure colors are considered the most rare and valuable.
What to look for when buying untreated sapphires?
Authenticity. Another major consideration when buying untreated sapphires is authenticity. The changes that result from heating can be dramatic to the eye, but subtle to the stone internally. It is important to be sure of what you are buying.
What is the first step in making an informed and secure decision?
Understanding what you are purchasing is the first step in making an informed and secure decision. A fine untreated sapphire meets all of the expectations of what a gemstone should be: truly rare, stunningly beautiful, and valuable in every sense.
Is sapphire a rare mineral?
Sapphires and rubies are composed of the mineral corundum. But, not all corundum is rare. For example, you can buy black corundum in the form of emery sandpaper at the hardware store. A gem-quality untreated sapphire or ruby is exceptional because of its natural color and clarity.