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That's the colour change I love in Alex. Wait til you see these Alexandrites. The multi-color one is fabulous. Posted in full here, with permission from Omi Gems Blog. Thank you!! Alexandrite - The Magic of Change Posted on December 12, 2011 by omi gems Alexandrite is one of the most amazing and ra...

Russian Alexandrite by Peter Bancroft Tokovaya Mines, Ekaterinburg, Russia Editor’s Note: We are pleased to reprint this selection from Peter Bancroft’s classic book, Gem and Crystal Treasures (1984) Western Enterprises/Mineralogical Record, Fallbrook, CA, 488 pp. "One of the best gem mines on...

GIA Identifies a Surge in Large HPHT-Treated Diamonds By JCK Staff / Posted on December 21, 2010 "The Gemological Institute of America Laboratory reported that a significant number of large high-pressure/high-temperature-treated color diamonds were recently submitted for grading. Ranging from ...

Distinguishing Heated Spinels from Unheated Natural Spinels and from Synthetic Spinels A short review of on‐going research Sudarat Saeseaw, Wuyi Wang and Kenneth Scarratt GIA Laboratories, Bangkok and New York John L. Emmett and Troy R. Douthit Crystal Chemistry, Brush Prairie, Washington Updated M...

Enhancements or "Treatments" "As in other gemstones, 99% of all emeralds are enhanced with a liquid or resin after cutting. Similar practices are carried out on diamonds (ie. laser drilling, etc.), sapphires (ie. glass filling) and most other gemstones. All post-cutting processes are...

A Review of Current Challenges for the Identification of Gemstones by James Shigley A review of current challenges for the identification of gemstones "A variety of treated and synthetic gem materials are encountered today in the jewelry marketplace in increasing quantities. Although normally ...

This article by John Koivula, recently released by GIA Research, has some fascinating shots of what to look for: "A Question Concerning Heat-Treated Blue Sapphires" John I. Koivula and Alethea Inns; GIA Laboratory, Carlsbad "Over the past several years, we have noted a curious pattern...

A wonderfully clear explanation, thanks. It's a shame so many dealers fail to disclose these treatments, even when the low price means something must be going on. I'm so glad you let us know you found it interesting and informative, Gemjunkie. Thanks! Non-disclosure is a major problem in the indust...

Thanks for the great links! Oh good. Here's another wonderful article by Richard Hughes that reveals how flux is used to 'heal' rubies by treaters, and Mother Nature as well. Enjoy! Fluxed Up The Fracture Healing of Ruby By R.W. Hughes Flux healing of Mong Hsu ruby from Burma "Just what treatm...

Excellent articles and pics by John Koivula: The Role of Secondary Fluid Inclusions in Detecting Heat Treatment John I. Koivula GIA Laboratory, Carlsbad, California (April 30, 2009) m Micro-Magma Chambers in Natural Rubies and Sapphires: The Behavior of Some Mineral Inclusions in Corundum At High Te...