The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) - http://agta.org/ - requires all sellers to disclose enhancement to gemstones. These treatments have been traditionally used far in the past as well as now. Certain gemstones are routinely treated and would be hard to know for sure if enhancements were done since sellers are not at the mine or with those who do the lapidary services. I have listed some of the treatments -
*Enhanced - assume treatment has been done to the gemstone, unless otherwise stated.
*Heating - heat that is used to alter color of the gemstone.
*Dyeing - introducing color to a gemstone.
*Waxing/Oil, Coating - filling of surface cavities and a surface enhancement that improves the stones appearance.
*Bleaching - to lighten or remove color, mostly used with pearls.
*Stabilizing - using a colorless bonding agent to give durability and strength.
We all would love to have those beautiful, perfect, natural gemstones, but they aren't always available or within our price range. There are many gemstones that are not treated, such as Jasper and those that are high grade, like Malachite.
*However, there is always imitations, man-made gemstones (fabricated products). Sometimes they can be very pretty pieces and just as long as you know, that is what you are getting. Synthetic stones (lab created) are man made which have the same properties as a natural stone. Again, they are beautiful pieces, just not mined from the earth. Assembled are multiple layers or pieces of manufactured and/or natural gemstone material joined together.
Enhancements are not necessarily bad, unless done poorly. As buyers of gemstones, we just need to know, so that we can make an informed decision. If the treatment bothers you or it doesn't, it needs to be disclosed. Many treatments don't bother me, but I like to know and I don't like finding out something does bother me after I open the box. I hope this has helped you in your knowledge of gemstones.
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