Do You Want the Heat?
That aquamarine in your favorite ring most likely did not come straight out of the ground showing that spectacular Caribbean blue that catches attention in every corner. Besides being cut and polished, it most likely was heat treated to bring out the blue by eliminating the yellow. For many years, most gemstones have been treated some way or another, either with heat, radiation, or chemicals. These treatments can enhance color, stability, durability and can transform an otherwise useless stone into one that can be the envy of any jewelry designer. Imagine how annoying it would be to have your favorite aquamarine fade to clear after a few years of normal use because the stone was unstable. And you don’t want a stone so fragile that it will crack like glass, so not all treatments are bad. In fact, they can be very good. Still, opinions about gemstone treatment vary. Many accept these treatments as just part of the necessary steps in getting the stone from the ground to the market. They reason that most likely had the stone rested in the earth a few more thousand years to, its color would have been enhanced by time itself, so just a little heat speeds up the process. Others, however, want their stones to be just as nature made them—no enhancements whatsoever. Increasingly, more and more consumers are looking for stones that have not been enhanced. Admittedly, there is satisfaction in knowing that the stone you see is the exact same one that lay hidden in the earth for eons just waiting for you to appreciate it. As for aquamarines, after they are mined and before they are cut, most are heated to 375 degrees Celsius to eliminate yellows and to bring out the pure blue. But remember, an unheated stone of quality commands a bigger price tag than one that has been treated. The bottom line: often, it is difficult to tell at a glance if the stone is indeed all natural or if it was enhanced. A closer examination under a jeweler’s loupe or microscope can tell the tale. So if you buy a natural or enhanced stone, who’s to know? Only you and your jewelry will know for sure.
