Invisible Enhancements: How Treatments Change Gemstone Appearance & Cost

We have always liked gemstones because of their looks and shine. But not all that glitters is gold. Many gemstones are treated which enhances their color, clarity, and shine. Not all sellers disclose this information; hence as a buyer it’s your responsibility to stay aware. 

Even though brands like GemstonesForSale offer natural gems; it’s still important to know what happens behind the sparkle. If you know how gemstones are treated, you’ll be able to make smart decisions, especially when you want to buy turquoise or other valuable stones online.

Let’s talk about what these changes that you can’t see are, how they work, and how they affect the price and value.

Different Ways to Treat Gemstones

Gemstone treatments improve the look or durability of a gem.

Sometimes the natural color of a stone is dull or uneven. It might appear cloudy or even contain cracks. Such problems are fixed by using heat, oils, dyes, or even coatings on the surface of the stone. These methods make gemstones look better. It’s mainly done for stones which are used in affordable or mass-produced jewelry. 

Some treatments are good. Some of them are even accepted all over the world and are standard in the business. The most important thing is that you should always know if and how your gemstone has been treated.

What is the Point of Treating Gemstones?

Some gemstones don’t look bright or perfect when they come out of the ground. Things are beautiful in nature, but they are not always perfect. That’s where such treatments come in.

These are the main reasons why people treat gemstones:

• Heat or chemicals can make colors more even and brighter.
• Oils or resins fill in small cracks and make the stone look clearer.

Some gems are softer by nature, which makes them last longer. After treatments, they get tougher and more resistant. If you want to save money on gemstones, treated gems are a good choice because they look great and cost less than untreated gems. Treatments aren’t about fooling people; they’re about making it easier to get, wear, and keep gemstones.

Some Common Ways to Treat Gemstones

Let’s talk about the most common types of treatments, how they change your appearance, and how much they cost.

Heat Treatments

The gemstone is heated to very high temperatures to change or make its color better.

It’s often used on topaz, sapphires, rubies, and amethysts. It aims to make the colors appear more vibrant. Heat-treated stones cost a little less than natural, unheated ones, but they are still beautiful and worth a lot. However, if you want to buy turquoise stone online, then it won’t be heat treated. Such stones are best kept in their natural form only, with minimal polishing.

Filling in the Gaps

In this process, resin, glass, or oil is used to fill in the tiny cracks. The goals is to make the stone look clearer. It’s mainly used on diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Stones with cracks are less valuable, but you have to be careful with them. Heat and chemicals can hurt the filling.

Coloring

In this kind of treatment, color pigments are added to make the stone look better or completely different. It’s used on jade, turquoise, agate, and pearls. It makes colors more rich and uniform. 

Dyed gemstones are usually less expensive. Their color may fade over time, especially if they are in the sun or near chemicals.

Radiation

Radiation changes the color of the stone. It’s commonly used for stones like diamonds, topaz, and quartz. The aim behind radiation is to produce the rare and bright colors in a stone. It is often used with heat treatment to make it stable. After treatment, it is safe and stable. However, stones that go through radiation are comparatively cheaper.

Coating 

A thin layer of material is put on the gem’s surface to make it look better or brighter. It’s used for 

pearls, quartz, and topaz. It helps the stone look shinier and makes the color deeper. It’s goal is to replicate colors that are hard to find. Coated gemstones look nice, but they are also easy to break. Cleaning or scratching can remove the coating, which can change how they look.

Bleaching

In this process, chemicals are used to get rid of or lighten colors that aren’t needed. It’s done mainly on jade and pearls. It makes the tones smoother and softer to make the color less noticeable. Stones that have been bleached are usually less expensive and are used in cheap fine jewelry.

Do Treated Gemstones Cost Less?

Not always. The price will depend on the kind of treatment and how rare the gemstone is.

For instance, heat can make a pale blue sapphire look rich and bright, which makes it more appealing right away. But it’s still cheaper than a naturally bright sapphire that hasn’t been heated because it has been treated.

Final Words

The global market for gemstones values honesty and growth over time. People who buy gems today care about more than just how they look. They also care about where they come from and how they were made. The most important thing is being honest. Trusted sellers will always tell you if a stone has been treated. Because of this honesty, you can compare your options fairly and choose the one that fits your taste and budget.

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