[Jewelry making - Article 00099] - Re: [Orchid] Gemstone Treatments Disclosure

[docktor]

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    Hi Gerry. I just may be the newest G.G. in the forum. As usual in the
    gem trade, some dealers are disclosing, and most are not. What I see
    at wholesale shows is that most "high end" dealers are either
    disclosing treatments, or are selling gems and gem materials which
    are either not treated or are selling materials, the treatment of
    which are difficult or impossible to detect without proper testing
    equipment. This is NOT to say that they are willfully practicing
    non-disclosure, as most of them probably have no idea that many
    stones are treated before they're even cut. 

    Probably the best example was the gentleman who was convinced that I
    should buy a ruby ring he had on display in his case. Just for fun,
    I inquired as to whether the rubies had been treated (they were very
    small, princess cut, melee stones, channel set). He gave me a firm
    shake of his head as he avoided my gaze and replied "no". I looked
    into one of the stones and immediately saw the blobs of partially
    melted rutile needles, a sign of probable heat treatment. This is
    often considered acceptable for rubies, which is why it usually
    isn't disclosed. Just as tanzanite and topaz are nearly all heat
    treated before fashioning, which is usually not disclosed. I realize
    that most consumers have no idea that most of the gemstones they see
    in stores have been treated as a matter of course, and might be
    likely to not make a purchase if they knew. I suppose that it is
    ethical to sell ROUTINELY treated stones without disclosing their
    treated nature, but people with internet connections learn more
    every day. These are the people who will be incensed when they find
    that their precious blue diamond has been irradiated to achieve it's
    color. Gemstone dealers and retailers who do not disclose, don't be
    surprised when a customer with a DSL connection and an attitude
    return to your store or trade show booth with their jewelry item in
    hand and a lawsuit on their lips. Or worse, a rookie television
    reporter with something to prove! 

    Remember the undisclosed emerald fracture-filling debacle of the
    1990s!!! 

James



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