Synthetic rubies

Synthetic rubies are primarily of three types- doublets, Verneuil or flame fusion and flux grown.Doublets:This type of synthetic rubies are not much in vogue nowadays. However they make great gifts. Doublets are usually stones of imitation backing with a natural corundum crown, generally made out of green or white corundum. When viewed carefully the joint made with glue can be noticed.Verneiul or flame fusion:The name is attributed to the process of production. They are easily distinguishable from natural rubies. These synthetic rubies are typically characterized by certain curved color banding known as striae. You can also find inclusions in the form of gas bubbles in them. Flux grown:This is the synthetic variety that you can not easily distinguish from a real one. Molten flux is crystallized under specified conditions of temperature and pressure to produce these versions of synthetic rubies. The stones might develop fractures when the pressure is released. Different processes of flux-grown rubies produce different types of inclusions. Often inclusions resemble that of natural rubies. Do you want to see the smiling face of your beloved? Then present her a gorgeous ruby and eternalize your love. The types of ruby described above will guide you through your purchase

Afghanistan rubies

Little is known about ruby mining in Afghanistan. However we find its reference in the writings of travelers as early as 951 A.D. Ibn Batuta, Al Biruni and Marco Polo discussed about ruby mining in Afghanistan in their travelogues. Balas ruby mines of Badakshan and Jagdalek appear to be authentic sources of rubies in Afghanistan. Not much is known about the gemological properties of Badakshan rubies. However the physical and chemical properties of Jagdalek rubies account for ruby crystals in faint colors to deep red. Often they are slightly purplish and strongly fluorescent. Occasionally violet rubies have been mined in these desolate mining regions

Madagascar rubies

Two regions in Madagascar; Andilamena and Vatomandry are recent additions in the world ruby mining map. Here ruby occurs in a large number of igneous rocks. Apply a little bit heat treatment and wow! They are almost equal to their Burmese cousins in beauty and vitality. They are special from the aspects of gemological and mineralogical properties too. The deposit discovered in the Andilamena region is quite substantial and has been much into production of rubies in recent years. The rubies mined in the Vatomandry region do not require heat treatment. The rubies mined here are found in attractive crystal forms in shades of orange, red and pink

Vietnam rubies

Vietnam rubies
Vietnamese rubies have a standard as high as Burmese rubies. Yen Bai and Nghe are two of the prime mines of Vietnam. They have an unpredictable supply


Tanzania Rubies
In Tanzania, ruby deposits are found in regions near Songea. The color of these rubies resembles the garnet so closely that even jewelers are often baffled by their closeness. It has been noticed that the intensity of color diminishes with size. Therefore, the smaller the Tanzanian rubies are, the more they command price.

Sri-Lankan rubies

If you want a match for those gorgeous Burmese rubies you can some times find it in the Sri-Lankan rubies. These rubies with pink tints have a unique beauty of their own

Thai rubies

Next in order of quality, Thai rubies come second. Thai rubies come with rather darker undertones caused by the presence of iron along with chromium. Thus you find the Thai rubies with brownish to burgundy hues. Also known as Siam rubies, these of course are no match for their Burmese cousins. Most of them are heat-treated. Chantaburi and Trat provinces lying in the south-east of Bangkok are famous for ruby mining.

Burmese rubies

Burma has been the source of the world's most superior quality rubies. It is the fierce red displayed under any kind of light that makes these Burmese rubies one of the most coveted jewels in the world. The unique color in Burmese rubies is described as 'pigeon's blood'. The chromium impurities are accountable for this flaming red in Burmese rubies. The regions around Mogok in northern Burma and Mong-Hsu to the east of Mandalay are famous for ruby mining. Kinds of blemishes are the essential attributes of any natural stone. Burmese rubies contain the least of them. Sometimes they do come with inclusions in blue or pink shades

Ruby Classification

Going to buy rubies? Read on. The article below teaches you about the classifications of this outstanding jewel and will help you make an informed decision about its purchase
Are you in search of a unique gift to impress your Valentine? Or are you a person into many years of marriage who wants to add some spice to his love life? Are you looking for some unusual way for expressing love to the special person in your life? Whatever may be the case, say, "I love you" with a ruby and see the sparks fly instantly. This is a gem, which has often been equated with human passion of the highest level. What could be more expressive than letting a part of your thought be known through this remarkable gem? So if you want to share the warmth of your heart with the person you love or you wish to express your passion, make a ruby the conduit of your emotions. Since antiquity, this red member of the corundum family has been adored by Royals, as well as commoners for its blood red hues and flaming radiance. The original grade one rubies, which are rare to the point of extinction, often out price diamond of similar size. If you want to learn about the types of rubies, you have to first understand the chemical composition of this magnificent stone. Rubies originate from the ore of Aluminum oxide or corundum. The hardness of ruby is measured 9 on Mohs scale and its specific gravity is 3.96 - 4.01. Its glow is due to its refractive index, which is 1.759 - 1.767 to 1.770 - 1.779. These qualities make the rubies especially suitable for jewellery making. We borrow the name of ruby whenever we try to describe anything red. But you can find many variations in shades of red in this July birthstone. These variations are the result of the presence of inclusions in the stone. While the chromic oxide is responsible for the red hues, ferric oxide lends it yellowish tints. Intense reds in certain rubies are the function of titanium. You can even find rubies with pink, purple, orange and brown shades as a result of the presence of chromium and iron in varied degrees. Apart from the color, it is the places of origin that accounts for the broader classification of rubies. If you are a gemstone enthusiast, you might know about the value of Burma rubies. Even if you are not, it is likely you might have heard about them. These are the rubies with the greatest fame and in optimum demand. Its fame stretches long back to the days of Marco Polo who has made a mention of these precious stones in his travel accounts. You will find that the rubies mined in Thailand finish a close second in the race for the top position. However, more or less the same quality of rubies can also be found in the countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Africa. They are similar in the sense, that they possess similar chemical as well as physical properties. Then how are they distinguished from each other? It is their unique shades that make them distinguishable according to their places of origin. Let us examine the discernible qualities of some of the world famous varieties of rubies

Ruby Mines

There are some important mines in the world where rubies are found. In the western tip of North Carolina, in Macon County sits Franklin. You can access this place from anywhere and you have to pass the gorgeous scenery of Blue Ridge, waterfalls, streams flowing over rocks, the works. The 1870's saw the mining of the corundum in Macon County. The ruby belongs to the family of the corundum mineral which is a very hard mineral second only to the diamond. But this mining ended when synthetic corundum became a cheaper option.
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The Sheffield Mines
The mines reopened when tourists showed an interest in looking for rubies themselves. This is how the Sheffield Mine became famous because every tourist went away with at least a small ruby or sapphire for their efforts. This mine sells native dirt and it is your luck if you do find a ruby or not. Unlike other mines, this mine does not enrich the dirt with purchased uncut gems. In the Sheffield mines has sapphires and rare star rubies and if you are lucky enough to find one you will see how a plain grey colored rock turns into a beautiful gemstone, untreated by humans and as natural as the dirt they come from.

The Burma MinesThe Burma mines are yet another source of fine rubies. Myanmar or Burma has a history of ruby mines as old as time. The mining area of Mogok has revealed mining tools that belong to the bronze as well as the Stone Age. The rubies found here are described as pigeon blood due to their pure red color. There is another variety of ruby produced here which is more of a pink red rather than blood red and they are simply gorgeous. These rubies have a strong fluorescence and you will see layers of extra color when exposed to ultraviolet rays like sunlight. These rubies hold their color under any kind of light and therein lies their reputation. The most recently discovered mining area in Burma is called Mong Hsu. This deposit is producing commercial quality of rubies in commercial quantities which includes a large amount of the fine Burma ruby and the sizes go up to a carat also. Trade and commerce in the little village in Tachilek has blossomed due to this ruby bonanza. The world's most important ruby trading center is Thailand. Mae Sai is a place very close to Tachilek and it is now populated by traders and cutters who send most of the finds to Thailand.

The Vietnam Ruby Mines1992 saw the discovery of a ruby mine in Vietnam. The quality of rubies produced here are similar to those of the Burma mines. Geologically speaking, the vein may be a continuation of the one in Burma.
Rubies found in other placesFine rubies that are found in Thailand have a slightly darker red tone which moves more towards burgundy than pink. There are a variety of Thai rubies that have a black reflection which are known as extinction which makes the red look darker than what it is. These give the Burmese rubies a run for their money. On the other hand Sri Lankan rubies are pinker in hue or even in pastel shades. Gem Mining in Sri Lanka is mainly from the secondary alluvial deposits found in the river gravels. Mining pits are hand dug to access the gravel. In the 1960's the world got a surprise when rubies and sapphires were discovered in Kenya and Tanzania and this was more so because their colors could rival with the best in the world. But sadly, the rubies found here were flawed with tiny inclusions which reduced their transparency greatly. On the other hand, rubies from the African mines have a superb color but they are not transparent enough to give facets. When cut cabochon style, the color is displayed to its best. On rare occasions, rubies from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Pamir mountains find their way into the markets but mining here is very difficult due to the unfriendly terrain

GemStones > Ruby > Gemologists > Mines

The bible aptly describes the value of a Ruby in the saying "more precious than rubies". The ancient language of Sanskrit describes the Ruby as a "RatnaRaj" which translates as the King of precious stones. The word ruby comes from the Latin word "ruber". Today the ruby is valued far more than even the best in colorless diamonds. Ruby is a crystalline form of aluminum and it is one of the most durable of all minerals in existence. Of the mineral corundum, the ruby is the gem quality. Corundums are very hard and in its most common form it is used as an abrasive. The value of a ruby is determined by its color. We all know that red is an indicator for top quality gems. These will not have any brown or blue overtones. The ruby is a very intensely colored substance and at its best, the red looks like glowing coal. In ancient times, these perpetual fires that never extinguished themselves were thought to have magical powers. The value of a ruby is decided by three other factors viz. cut, size and clarity. Perfectly translucent rubies with no flaws visible to the naked eye are the most valuable. The cut of the ruby decides how lively and attractive the ruby looks. If light were reflected across the surface of the ruby evenly then that would indicate that it is a well cut stone. Large rubies are rare; hence the bigger your ruby, the more expensive it will be. Some rubies have a six point three ray star. These are star rubies and to display the effect they are cut in a smooth domed cabochon

Emeralds belong to the species Beryl

The property that distinguishes an Emerald from other Beryls is the characteristic deep green or bluish green color caused by the presence of chromium. All Beryls of other colors of gemstone quality are called precious beryl and not emeralds.

Blocking the Conflict Diamond in the Diamond Market

Combating Conflict Diamonds' campaign, commenced in the year 1998 uncovered the funding means of terror groups for their brutal activities. World was shocked to learn that the precious gemstone 'Diamond' they adore is used to create the violence in different parts of the world. Since then diamond sold by terrorists was named as 'Conflict Diamond'. People across the globe demanded the actions to block these diamonds entering the diamond market.As a result, in May 2000 diamond industry representatives, NGOs and United Nation Government officials met at Kimberley, South Africa to establish the method to eliminate the conflict diamond trade and assure the buyers that diamonds they are buying are conflict-free diamonds. This meeting was hosted by the South African government. In this meeting the method to control the conflict diamond sale was initiated. On January, 2001 the new organization, the World Diamond Council was formed. The new council drafted the process and essential documents that would certify the legitimate diamond. The litigious negotiations went on for more than two years between the council, government and NGOs to establish the Kimberley Certification Process, an international diamond certification scheme.

Blocking the Conflict Diamond in the Diamond Market

Combating Conflict Diamonds' campaign, commenced in the year 1998 uncovered the funding means of terror groups for their brutal activities. World was shocked to learn that the precious gemstone 'Diamond' they adore is used to create the violence in different parts of the world. Since then diamond sold by terrorists was named as 'Conflict Diamond'. People across the globe demanded the actions to block these diamonds entering the diamond market.As a result, in May 2000 diamond industry representatives, NGOs and United Nation Government officials met at Kimberley, South Africa to establish the method to eliminate the conflict diamond trade and assure the buyers that diamonds they are buying are conflict-free diamonds. This meeting was hosted by the South African government. In this meeting the method to control the conflict diamond sale was initiated. On January, 2001 the new organization, the World Diamond Council was formed. The new council drafted the process and essential documents that would certify the legitimate diamond. The litigious negotiations went on for more than two years between the council, government and NGOs to establish the Kimberley Certification Process, an international diamond certification scheme.

facts

Black pearls, as the name suggests, are pearls that are naturally black in color. They are produced by a species of oysters that are found in the South Pacific Ocean.These black pearls are produced by the Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster, which is found in the French Polynesian Islands and Tahiti in the South Pacific Ocean. The Pinctada Margaritifera is a saltwater oyster that can grow to the size of a dinner plate. It secretes a black pigment that causes black pearls to form.The Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster is a mollusk that feeds on plankton. It is cultivated in the lagoons of French Polynesia. Tahiti cultured black pearls are formed inside the pearl oyster. They consist of organic substances and calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite.How black pearls are formed?The seeding of pearls is done by highly skilled technicians, most of whom are Japanese. They are among the highest paid workers in the world and are booked for years in advance. The pearl oyster is collected and a technician implants a nucleus and mantle in it.The nucleus is a small sphere of crushed Mississippi river mussel from Tennessee, which is specially bred for this purpose. The mantle is the part of the oyster tissue that forms the mother of pearl coating, which is called the nacre. The mantle creates a pouch around the nucleus.Over a period of about two years, it lays thousands of layers of nacre over it, forming a black pearl. The oyster shells have to be kept in a good condition so that they can withstand the trauma of the implant. This involves cleaning them regularly, to prevent barnacles and algae from building up. A lot of time and effort is required for maintaining the oyster shells in a good condition. Tahiti cultured pearls are produced from a grafting of the Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster. The nucleus or the seed can not be seen in these pearls and there is a continuous pearly layer over al least 80 % of the pearl's surface. A pearl that does not meet these standards, is declared to be a rejected pearl.Tahiti black pearls are formed by human intervention. Natural pearls are still found but they are very rare. Out of 15000 pearl oysters, only one may produce a natural pearl. Types of black pearlsThe pearls can be from 8 to 18 millimeters in size. Pearls from Tahiti come in a wide range shapes, sizes and colors. The colors range from black to silver. They are also found in shades of blue, pink and green. The cost of a Tahitian pearl may range from $ 10 to $ 10000, depending on the size and the quality.Pearls are graded according to their size, shape, color, surface characteristics and luster. Cracks, spots, bumps, ridges and pits on the surface can affect the price of the pearl.Pearls are found in several shapes, which include round and pear shaped pearls. Button pearls are flat on one side and round on the other and circled pearls have a ring. Baroque pearls are irregular in shape. The luster depends upon the reflection of light from the surface of the pearl. The color of the pearls can range from white to silver to black.Sometimes the pearl oyster rejects the nucleus but the donor mantle remains. This leads to the formation of a small irregular seedless pearl, which is called a Keshi pearl.Mabe (mar-bay) pearls are heart shaped, oval or tear-drop shaped pearls, which often display all the colors of the spectrum. They are formed by cutting the nucleus in half and attaching it inside the lip of the pearl oyster. They are also known as blister pearls and are ideal for making rings or pendants.The golden pearl (poe pipi) is very rare and is found in the Cook Islands. It is found in the shell of the Pinctada Maculata pearl oyster, in the lagoon of Penrhyn and is seldom more than 8 millimeters in diameter.History of the Tahiti black pearlsJean-Marie Dormand, a Frenchman is known as the father of cultured black pearl cultivation. In 1961, he arranged to bring a Japanese pearl oyster technician to Tahiti, through the French Polynesian government. Black pearls were first cultured on an experimental basis, in the lagoons of the French Polynesian islands of Bora Bora and Hikueru.About 1000 pearls were harvested in 1965. The first privately owned pearl farm was started in 1966 by Jacques and Hubert Rosenthal, on the atoll of Manihi. Tahitian black pearls were first exported in 1972. By the mid-1970s there was a rapid growth in awareness and demand for Tahitian back pearls. Large scale farms were established on the islands of Mangareva, Marutea and Sud. By 1996, black pearl farms were exporting $ 152 million worth of black pearls. Robert Wan set up the farm on Mangareva and it now produces 60% of the output of black pearls.Black pearls from the Cook IslandsBlack pearl farming was also started in the Northern Cook Islands of Penrhyn and Manihiki in 1989. A cyclone almost destroyed the pearl farms of Manihiki in November 1997. The pearl farms are being reconstructed and the Cook Islands are now second only to French Polynesia in the production of black pearls.There is a Polynesian legend that Ono the god of peace and fertility came down to earth on a rainbow and offered the black pearl oyster to man. Ono offered the black pearl inside the oyster to the beautiful princess of Bora Bora, as a symbol of his everlasting love. Even now, if you give someone a gift of black pearls, it is considered to be a symbol of eternal love.The black pearls of the South Pacific are now in fashion and a top class necklace made of black pearls can cost you as much as $ 50000. The cultured pearl industry of French Polynesia is second only to tourism as a source of livelihood. Several hundred cooperative and private pearl farms operate on 26 atolls and employ thousands of people.

What is black pearls? How black pearls formed?

Black pearls, as the name suggests, are pearls that are naturally black in color. They are produced by a species of oysters that are found in the South Pacific Ocean.These black pearls are produced by the Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster, which is found in the French Polynesian Islands and Tahiti in the South Pacific Ocean. The Pinctada Margaritifera is a saltwater oyster that can grow to the size of a dinner plate. It secretes a black pigment that causes black pearls to form.The Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster is a mollusk that feeds on plankton. It is cultivated in the lagoons of French Polynesia. Tahiti cultured black pearls are formed inside the pearl oyster. They consist of organic substances and calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite.How black pearls are formed?The seeding of pearls is done by highly skilled technicians, most of whom are Japanese. They are among the highest paid workers in the world and are booked for years in advance. The pearl oyster is collected and a technician implants a nucleus and mantle in it.The nucleus is a small sphere of crushed Mississippi river mussel from Tennessee, which is specially bred for this purpose. The mantle is the part of the oyster tissue that forms the mother of pearl coating, which is called the nacre. The mantle creates a pouch around the nucleus.Over a period of about two years, it lays thousands of layers of nacre over it, forming a black pearl. The oyster shells have to be kept in a good condition so that they can withstand the trauma of the implant. This involves cleaning them regularly, to prevent barnacles and algae from building up. A lot of time and effort is required for maintaining the oyster shells in a good condition. Tahiti cultured pearls are produced from a grafting of the Pinctada Margaritifera pearl oyster. The nucleus or the seed can not be seen in these pearls and there is a continuous pearly layer over al least 80 % of the pearl's surface. A pearl that does not meet these standards, is declared to be a rejected pearl.Tahiti black pearls are formed by human intervention. Natural pearls are still found but they are very rare. Out of 15000 pearl oysters, only one may produce a natural pearl. Types of black pearlsThe pearls can be from 8 to 18 millimeters in size. Pearls from Tahiti come in a wide range shapes, sizes and colors. The colors range from black to silver. They are also found in shades of blue, pink and green. The cost of a Tahitian pearl may range from $ 10 to $ 10000, depending on the size and the quality.Pearls are graded according to their size, shape, color, surface characteristics and luster. Cracks, spots, bumps, ridges and pits on the surface can affect the price of the pearl.Pearls are found in several shapes, which include round and pear shaped pearls. Button pearls are flat on one side and round on the other and circled pearls have a ring. Baroque pearls are irregular in shape. The luster depends upon the reflection of light from the surface of the pearl. The color of the pearls can range from white to silver to black.Sometimes the pearl oyster rejects the nucleus but the donor mantle remains. This leads to the formation of a small irregular seedless pearl, which is called a Keshi pearl.Mabe (mar-bay) pearls are heart shaped, oval or tear-drop shaped pearls, which often display all the colors of the spectrum. They are formed by cutting the nucleus in half and attaching it inside the lip of the pearl oyster. They are also known as blister pearls and are ideal for making rings or pendants.The golden pearl (poe pipi) is very rare and is found in the Cook Islands. It is found in the shell of the Pinctada Maculata pearl oyster, in the lagoon of Penrhyn and is seldom more than 8 millimeters in diameter.History of the Tahiti black pearlsJean-Marie Dormand, a Frenchman is known as the father of cultured black pearl cultivation. In 1961, he arranged to bring a Japanese pearl oyster technician to Tahiti, through the French Polynesian government. Black pearls were first cultured on an experimental basis, in the lagoons of the French Polynesian islands of Bora Bora and Hikueru.About 1000 pearls were harvested in 1965. The first privately owned pearl farm was started in 1966 by Jacques and Hubert Rosenthal, on the atoll of Manihi. Tahitian black pearls were first exported in 1972. By the mid-1970s there was a rapid growth in awareness and demand for Tahitian back pearls. Large scale farms were established on the islands of Mangareva, Marutea and Sud. By 1996, black pearl farms were exporting $ 152 million worth of black pearls. Robert Wan set up the farm on Mangareva and it now produces 60% of the output of black pearls.Black pearls from the Cook IslandsBlack pearl farming was also started in the Northern Cook Islands of Penrhyn and Manihiki in 1989. A cyclone almost destroyed the pearl farms of Manihiki in November 1997. The pearl farms are being reconstructed and the Cook Islands are now second only to French Polynesia in the production of black pearls.There is a Polynesian legend that Ono the god of peace and fertility came down to earth on a rainbow and offered the black pearl oyster to man. Ono offered the black pearl inside the oyster to the beautiful princess of Bora Bora, as a symbol of his everlasting love. Even now, if you give someone a gift of black pearls, it is considered to be a symbol of eternal love.The black pearls of the South Pacific are now in fashion and a top class necklace made of black pearls can cost you as much as $ 50000. The cultured pearl industry of French Polynesia is second only to tourism as a source of livelihood. Several hundred cooperative and private pearl farms operate on 26 atolls and employ thousands of people.

GemStones Tanzanite

The Masai herdsmen are considered to be the first collectors of Tanzanite, the most newly evolved and popular gemstone in terms of beauty and rarity. This newly discovered gemstone came into the limelight way back in the year 1967 and ever since it has mesmerized the world with its beauty. It is considered as a birthstone for the month of December and is believed to have immense healing effects. In the Moh's scale Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 to 7. The gemstone Tanzanite ranges in blue, violet and lavender shades and is a form of the mineral Zoisite which is a calcium aluminium silicate. The colour of Zoisite ranges from shades of greyish brown to white. In its raw stage Tanzanite is usually found brownish and very rarely, blue, violet or deep brown irregular sized crystals, often with broken ends. However, on application of heat, the gemstone transforms into the hues of breathtaking violet-blue. One can apply heat to these crystals up to a range of 300-400 degrees Celsius. The heat changes the colour of these raw crystals to a deep violet-blue which is the most sought after colour for Tanzanite. The gemstones inherit the different shades of blue due to the presence of the mineral vanadium in it. If the Tanzanite is of superior quality the colour often ranges from blue to purple and further down to a reddish pink shade. The gemstone emanates different colours when viewed from different directions or one can say that the effect is different from the different angles. The hues are blue, violet or brown. The brown colour is more predominant when the gemstone is in its raw stage. Usually the gemstone has a dominance of the blue and lavender shades, though the stones which are more towards the blue shade are categorized under the higher price bracket especially in the Asian market. The breathtaking aura of blue with a tinge of purple radiates elegance and grandeur which fascinates the eye. The rich velvety shades of blue in a Tanzanite can be equated with the grace of a blue sapphire at any point of time. The cut of Tanzanite, as of any gemstone is also considered to be of great importance as the supreme quality of cut always emphasizes the true colour, lustre and brilliance of the gemstone in the best possible manner. Tanzanite is cut in different classical shapes starting from round to various other fancy cuts that emphasize the brilliance and colour of this amazing gemstone. However, it is experienced that Tanzanite can be at its best form in terms of colour and cut when it is anywhere above 10 carats. The lesser weighed Tanzanite usually has the paler shades of blue. A gemstone is always considered as a most prized possession for an individual and for a consumer owning a Tanzanite has always been a very special experience. It is not only for its beauty but also for its rare exclusivity that makes this gemstone so very special. After all, one should not forget that Tanzanite is many times rarer than diamonds. It is also the youngest member in the world of gemstones discovered in the 20th century and is available only in one particular area in the whole world that is Tanzania

Fracture Filling Leftover Marks

While filling the cracks with the glass-like solution there are some air bubbles that get trapped because glass is transparent. These bubbles are either seen individually or it gets grouped near by one another creating the cloud image. This is the most common left over sign of fracture filling clarity enhancement treatment. Secondly there are some flow lines within the glass. These lines are also called as flashes as they produce flash effects. These are referred to as such because the lines contain some light colours and it creates the effect when the gemstone is rotated. The colour varies from yellow, orange to electric blue or purple. The colour depends on the lighting conditions. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) suggests to look in for the unfilled cracks on the gemstone's surface from the perpendicular angle to the fracture's plane while the cracks filled after the enhancement process are more clearly visible when viewed from the parallel perspective to the filled fracture's plane. This treatment is only recommended for stones of higher carat weight as the glass filling lasts longer. The small gemstone may not have fruitful results of this treatment. The clarity enhancement processes might be picking up with the passage of time but are not completely certified from GIA. The Diamonds that under go any of these two treatments are referred as "clarity enhanced Diamonds" or "fracture filled Diamonds". The price of these enhanced stones is much less than the natural untreated diamonds. Among the two processes the laser drilled gems are priced higher than the fracture filled diamonds as first treatment is permanent and second is temporary.The acceptance of the diamonds that undergo these treatments is growing but problem creeps in when untruthful jewelers sell these clarity enhanced gemstone at the price of original diamonds to the innocent buyers. It is buyer's duty to be careful while buying but jewelers must also maintain some ethics. The buyer should be informed which treatment has been used for the clarity enhancement of the gem and must be asked for the appropriate price. The market is full of numerous attractive diamonds. Depending upon one's pocket the decision could be taken whether to go in for the natural flawless diamond, gemstone with natural flaws or stones with enhanced clarity. It all comes with a price difference. The gem that has been processed to remove the flaws certainly looks of higher quality unless it is seen under magnifying loupe. Once it is mounted in the jewelry it is hard to tell the difference with the naked eyes. It can be a good option if it is priced accordingly and the jeweler is truthful and reputable. Enhanced or natural, a diamond is precious and to own it gives one great satisfaction and happiness.

Laser Drilling Leftover Marks

The holes made in the stone are so small that it has to be seen only through jeweler's microscopic loupe. One can spot these holes as very small white dots on the gemstone's surface.



Advantages of Laser Drilling
This method is widely used because it is permanent. The inclusions are removed forever and the durability and sturdiness of Diamond is maintained. The final look with respect to cut and shape does not change.

Fracture Filling
This treatment was also developed during the same time as Laser Drilling. It is used for filling the crack with the transparent glass-like solution. The solution used for concealing the flaws of the gemstone has a very low melting point and refractive index equal to that of diamond. The cracks do exist after the filling but due to the outer optical coating it becomes imperceptible to the normal glance. However, it can be easily noticed under the magnification. Unfortunately this method is not permanent. The specially formulated glass filling can be eroded when the gemstone comes into direct contact with the hot sun. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the sunlight are powerful enough to eat away the filling. Even at the time of routine repairs the heat produced can also lead to glass filling worn out of the gem. The slight heat produced from the jeweler's torch can also melt the filling. Also, cleaning of jewelry having the fracture filled might give the similar results. The glass filling melts at very low temperature.

Laser Drilling

This enhancement treatment technique has been found way back in 1980. Since then it has been successfully used for enhancing the clarity of diamonds. In this method, first a coating of amorphous carbon or any other energy-absorbent matter is applied on the stone's surface. This is done because a diamond is transparent and with the help of this coating the laser beam passes through the stone easily. After the coating is applied, infrared laser having the wavelength of about 1060nm is inserted to drill tiny holes inside the gemstone. The size of these holes could be between 0.005-0.2 millimeters. The laser beam in these holes reaches the inclusion and burns it. The gemstone then is immersed in chemical solution to dissolve the flaws. The solution could be sulfuric acid or iron oxide. Once the imperfections are removed the holes are re-filled with the clear solution that makes the visibility of holes almost negligible.

Diamond Clarity Enhancement Treatments

Diamond clarity refers to the degree of transparency in the gemstone. If the number of flaws is less it indicates higher clarity and vice versa. Gems with more than 80% clarity are very rare in nature. Today, with new modern techniques it is possible to remove or reduce flaws and boost the clarity of natural diamonds. Mechanical treatments are widely used to enhance diamond clarity by removing the unwanted external and internal flaws from the stone.

Graff Diamonds Lady's Watch

Graff Diamonds Lady's Watch There are diamond watches, and then there are diamond watches like this. Graff metaphorically knocks on the door of luxury with a resounding "bling bling!" arrival announcement. You simply don't get too much more "diamond watch" than this timepiece figuratively held hostage by the precious stones. The case and bracelet (what little of it is actually metal!) is done in 18k white gold while a dizzying collection of 176 diamonds on the case and another 94 diamonds on the bracelet that crowd the design of the watch like a bunch of too many densely packed wealthy neighbors. The entire watch has 59 carats of pure glitzy glory.