Why are Some Gems Treated?
Many gems today are treated or enhanced in various ways to improve color and (sometimes) clarity. It is important to understand why some gems are treated, and what the different methods are. The supply of high quality gemstones is falling as mines are depleted. At the same time, consumer interest in gemstones is increasing. These trends lead to a scarcity of fine gems, and a corresponding increase in prices. The gemstone industry has responded to demand by developing certain treatments to maximize the color and clarity of the scarce yield from remaining gem mines. The most common of these techniques is heat treatment, which improves gem color through the use of high temperature, mimicking the effects of nature as she creates gems through heat and pressure. Other kinds of treatments include fracture filling, and the addition of certain chemicals such as beryllium to the heating process. These treatments significantly improve the appearance of many gemstones, but they also affect the val
