Sage-Tips

Are heat treated gems less valuable?

For example, a large high quality ruby with little to no inclusion is extremely rare, if it’s untreated, the price can be 3-5 times higher than the heated ones. For cases like blue topaz and tanzanite, heating will increase the value of the gemstone as the original color is not desirable for most buyers.

Why would you heat treat a sapphire?

Heat treatment is used to improve a sapphire’s color, remove color zoning , and improve clarity. Over the last couple of decades, high temperatures in excess of 1700 degrees Celsius has been applied to sapphires, which improves clarity by dissolving silk as it improves color.

Is it bad to heat treat a sapphire?

If your sapphire has good clarity and a color you like…DO NOT HEAT TREAT IT. We always suggest faceting good natural color stones as a “Natural”. Remember, we heat treat to change the color on purpose, so if you like the natural color of your stone, don’t heat treat it.

Are heated gemstones bad?

Durability: Since most gem crystals were formed under high temperatures, when it comes to wearability and durability heating usually does not have a negative effect on a gemstone. Also, the color stability (resistance to fading or color changing) of heated gems is usually very good and they are super stable.

Are heated rubies valuable?

You should assume your ruby is heated. Rubies that have a report from an independent laboratory like GIA confirming there is no evidence of heat command a premium due to their rarity. Rubies that have been diffused or are glass filled are worth less than heated rubies.

Can you heat treat gemstones at home?

Ovens for Gemstone Heat Treatments The best tool for heating gems is a computer-controlled burnout furnace . It allows for very gradual changes in temperature. This reduces thermal shock, which can destroy some gems. If you don’t have access to a computer-controlled oven, you can try other methods.

How can you tell if a stone has been heat treated?

The destruction of gas or fluid inclusions or the dissolving of mineral inclusions are clues to heat treatment. For gems that contain rutile needles, the needle margins may become diffuse. On rubies, inclusions may be found that are glassy in appearance.

What is the difference between heated and unheated gemstones?

In the market, almost 95\% of the Sapphires are heat treated. The higher amount of treatment in the sapphire, the lower the price, as the corundum’s rarity creates its price. The difference between Unheated and Heated Sapphire is like the difference between processed and natural food.

What does heat treating do to ruby?

Heat Treated Ruby It is used to improve the clarity and colour of Rubies. The atmosphere around the Ruby can be altered to change the way the Ruby reacts but the basic idea is that the heat will dissolve any rutile inclusions inside the stone which will improve the clarity and improve the red colour.

What does treated gemstone mean?

Treatment refers to any process other than cutting and polishing that improves the appearance of the color or clarity, or that are used to alter the appearance (color, clarity or phenomena), durability, value, or supply of a gemstone. Today, most gems are treated to improve appearance.

Are unheated sapphires worth more?

Are natural, no-heat sapphires more rare and valuable? Yes, sapphires that have not undergone any color or clarity enhancement along the supply chain (mine to retail) are rare and therefore more valuable than heated sapphires that are abundant in the market. Are all unheated sapphires the same? No.

What are the benefits of heat treatments for gems?

Gemstone heat treatments can turn mediocre pieces into items of great beauty. Heating a gem to a specific temperature and then cooling it is a common procedure in the gem world. This can improve a gem’s color and sometimes even its clarity. Such treatments do a number of good things for our budgets as well as the environment,…

Does heating gemstones mean they are genuine?

Not at all, heating gemstones have nothing to do with whether the gem is genuine or not. Many consider the treatment as an extension of the natural process. As long as the seller is transparent, and the color by heating is permanent (which it usually is), heat treatment is widely accepted in the gemstone industry.

What is the best way to heat up a gemstone?

Ovens for Gemstone Heat Treatments. The best tool for heating gems is a computer-controlled burnout furnace. It allows for very gradual changes in temperature. This reduces thermal shock, which can destroy some gems. If you don’t have access to a computer-controlled oven, you can try other methods.

Do you know why heat treatment is used?

Do we all know WHY HEAT TREATMENT IS USED. Heat treatment is most commonly used to alter color but is also used to increase clarity. Rubies and sapphire can require significantly higher temperature to alter color and change clarity. Heating is used to either lighten, darken or alter the color of a gem.