The “Catch Me If You Can” situation with treated and synthetic gemstones

Here is my analysis on treated and synthetic gemstones.

There have been more research and developments in gemstone treatments and synthetics in the last 15 years for good reasons: demand, supply, and profit.

The following gemstones are of particular importance:

1. HPHT treated diamonds in various colors.
2. Synthetic gem quality diamonds.
3. Beryllium treated corundums.
4. Lead glass filled corundums.
5. Synthetic ruby overgrowth on natural corundum (s).
6. Irradiated green quartz.
7. Surface diffusion (confused!) treated colored stones.
8. Dyed colored stones.
9. Irradiated pearls.

Most treatments and synthetics are spin offs of sophisticated technology; some are detectable with standard gem testing instruments, while others require specialized gemological instruments and unique interpretation skills. Because of the proliferation of treated and synthetic gemstones, one should constantly find practical solutions by regularly reading gemological journals, attending seminars, talking to the ‘real’ experts, taking specialized training in analytical/forensic gemology and other special education programs on research and development.

It is important to know that working with knowledgeable suppliers with excellent product knowledge, gemological expertise, and interpretations skills can make a big difference. On expensive gemstones such Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire (s), Emerald, Pearl, Paraiba tourmaline/ Paraiba-like tourmaline, Alexandrite, Demantoid garnet, Spessartite garnet, obtain gemstone reports from at least two or three gem testing laboratories worldwide in order to protect you from future liability problems with clients.

Gemstones are portable and travel from one destination to the other amazingly fast. The treatment disclosure (s) pretty much depends on effective application of gem identification and detection techniques in gem testing laboratories worldwide. Only well-equipped and well-funded gem testing laboratories can offer services to support proper treatment/synthetic disclosure (s).