Gemstone Enhancement: Clarity Enhancement, Irradiation and Combined Treatments, and Surface Coating

Advances in technology and increased demand for lower-priced gem materials contributed to the proliferation of new gemstone treatments throughout the first decade of the 2000s. The developments that made the most difference were the diffusion treatment of corundum with beryllium, diffusion of copper into feldspar, clarity enhancement of ruby and diamond, and heat treatment of diamond, ruby, and sapphire. This article summarizes the development of clarity enhancement, irradiation and combined treatments, and surface coating of particular gemstones. It is Part II of a four part series on gemstone enhancement from the Gemological Institute of America.  Read More or see Part I.

More Gemstone Enhancement Information

Gem Enhancement Chart, Gem Enhancement Definitions