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Previous Articles on Beryllium Diffused Sapphire
January 2002:
New Sapphire
Treatment Still a Mystery
A new, unknown sapphire treatment used in Thailand has stirred
up controversy among the gem trade. After a recent investigation,
the GIA still cannot pinpoint whether it is heat or surface diffusion
that gives these sapphires their padparadscha color.
June 2002:
Mystery Sapphire
Treatment Unmasked
After months of research and speculation, gemologists have
finally decoded the mysterious process used in Thailand to change
pink sapphire to pink-orange shades resembling rare padparadscha.
June 2002:
Thai
Gem Players Meet About Treatment
Members of the Thai gem trade met to discuss the controversy surrounding
the sapphire treatment, particularly how the gem trade there has
been affected and what they should do to resolve it.
June 2002:
A Message to
the Gemstone and Jewelry Trade Media
The Chanthaburi Gem and Jewelry Association has released an official
statement following a meeting it hosted in Chanthaburi, Thailand,
on Saturday, June 8, regarding the controversial sapphire treatment.
August 2002:
AGTA and
ICA Label Sapphire Treatment
The American Gem Trade Association and International Colored Gemstone
Association have declared that they will refer to the controversial
sapphire treatment as "bulk diffusion."
October 2002:
Diffusion
Sapphire Study Continues
New research has shed further light on the controversial sapphire
treatment being called "bulk diffusion."
February 2003:
Associations
Set Beryllium Disclosure Standards
At the American Gem Trade Association GemFair in Tucson, Arizona,
members of prominent U.S. jewelers associations finally agreed
on disclosure terminology for beryllium-diffused sapphire.
February 2003:
Chanthaburi
Gem Dealers Agree to Disclose Beryllium Treatment
At a meeting of the Chanthaburi Gem & Jewelry Association
(CGA), a group of Thai gem heaters formally agreed to disclose
the use of beryllium to enhance the color of corundum.
April 2003:
Medical Aspects
of Beryllium Use in Gemstone Enhancement
Amid all of the controversy surrounding beryllium-diffused sapphire,
one aspect has alluded many in the gem community: the health hazards
of beryllium-treated gems. Here is a special report from a physician
and gemologist that summarizes the current state of knowledge
about the medical effects of beryllium treatment.
April 2003:
Wall Street Journal Reports
on Beryllium-Diffused Sapphire
The April 17 edition of the Wall Street Journal featured
a story on the recent beryllium diffusion controversy. The article
claims the treatment controversy is "a crisis of confidence
in the gem business."
Links to Research
on Beryllium Diffused Sapphire
AGTA
Gemological Testing Center
The AGTA GTC is the natural colored gemstone industry's premier
independent laboratory providing the industry and the public with
a complete range of services, including gemstone identification,
origin determination, and pearl identification. The laboratory
is equipped with the latest technologically advanced equipment
and has done extensive research on the topic of beryllium-diffused
corundum.
GIA
Gem Trade Laboratory
GIA Gem Trade Laboratory is a leading gemological laboratory serving
the gem and jewelry industry worldwide. It provides diamond and
colored stone grading and identification reports and contributes
with other labs on industry research.
Pala
International
A direct source for colored stones and mineral specimens. Its
Web site features articles and information on gemstones, including
research on the pink-orange treated sapphires.
GemLab
Inc.
GemLab Inc. specializes in solving technical and information problems
in the gem and related industries. The Web site features information
about gem treatments and the latest developments in ruby-sapphire
heat treatments and technology as experienced in its laboratory.
Offers a training course in heat-treating ruby and sapphire and
publishes books on the subject, including the latest book on beryllium-treated
rubies and sapphires.
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