Distinguishing Between Natural and Enhanced Stones: A Guide to Lapidary Materials
In the world of gemstones, the debate between natural and enhanced materials is a hot topic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guides for the jewellery industry emphasise the importance of disclosing whether a stone is natural or enhanced at the time of sale.
One of the most popular gemstones, turquoise, is a prime example of this debate. According to the FTC guidelines, sellers should clearly disclose whether a stone is natural or not, and about any enhancements. It is important for customers to know how to take care of the finished stones and to determine how well stones will wear once set into jewellery.
The vast majority of turquoise on the market has been stabilized with polymers to harden, a permanent treatment. Companies like Colbaugh Processing Inc, which owns the only active mine for turquoise in Arizona, the Kingman mine, create compressed blocks of turquoise. Some of these blocks are dyed, and when dyes are added, the turquoise is referred to as 'treated' instead of 'stabilized'.
Hard, all-natural turquoise is less than 3% of all turquoise sold today. Some enhanced materials are 'look-a-likes', naturally dyed to resemble another natural material. A dyed bright green turquoise block is also available, with or without infused bronze, simulating the rare bright green gaspeite from Australia.
When comparing natural and enhanced gemstones, several key differences emerge. Natural gemstones are formed over millions of years under geological conditions and often contain inclusions and imperfections that contribute to their unique character and value. Enhanced gemstones, on the other hand, are natural stones that have undergone treatments to improve their appearance.
The market today has an extensive inventory of lapidary gem materials, many of which are enhanced to resemble rare and expensive natural materials. For instance, Rainbow Calsilica, a manufactured material created and sold by Colbaugh Processing Inc, imitates natural quartz with veins of blue chrysocolla and red jasper found in copper mines in Arizona.
Lapis Lazuli, another popular gemstone, is a rich blue opaque rock composed of several minerals. Only a few well-known mining areas in the world produce fine quality lapis: Russia, Chile, and Afghanistan, all ancient deposits. Enhanced lapis lazuli might undergo treatments to enhance the blue color or reduce the visibility of pyrite, affecting its authenticity.
The variety of enhanced lapidary materials on the market today is almost overwhelming. However, transparency and disclosure are crucial to maintain trust in the gemstone market. Misrepresentation can lead to legal issues and loss of consumer trust.
In summary, the differences between natural and enhanced gemstones lie in their origin, appearance, and market value. While natural gemstones are often prized for their authenticity and rarity, enhanced stones offer more affordable options with potentially improved aesthetics. However, transparency and disclosure are crucial to maintain trust in the gemstone market.
Sources: [1] Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Jewelry Guides. Retrieved from https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/jewelry-guides [2] SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute. (n.d.). Test Results. Retrieved from https://www.ssef.ch/en/test-results/ [3] Turquoise King. (n.d.). Turquoise Types. Retrieved from https://www.turquoiseking.com/turquoise-types [4] American Gem Society. (n.d.). Turquoise. Retrieved from https://www.americangemsociety.org/consumer-education/gemstones/turquoise/ [5] GemSelect. (n.d.). Lapis Lazuli. Retrieved from https://www.gemselect.com/gemstones/lapis-lazuli-gemstones.php [6] GemSelect. (n.d.). Rainbow Calsilica. Retrieved from https://www.gemselect.com/gemstones/rainbow-calsilica-gemstones.php
- For those interested in the world of gemstones, understanding the difference between natural and enhanced materials is essential.
- In the jewelry industry, it's mandatory, as per FTC guidelines, to disclose whether a gemstone is natural or enhanced at the time of sale.
- Turquoise, a popular gemstone, is often stabilized with polymers for hardening, a common permanent treatment.
- Some turquoise blocks are dyed, and they are referred to as 'treated' instead of 'stabilized'.
- Natural gemstones, formed over millions of years under geological conditions, often contain inclusions and imperfections that contribute to their unique character and value.
- Enhanced gemstones, on the other hand, undergo treatments to improve their appearance, offering more affordable options with potentially improved aesthetics.
- The lapidary gem materials market has an extensive inventory, many of which are enhanced to resemble rare and expensive natural materials.
- Lapis Lazuli, a rich blue gemstone, undergoes treatments to enhance its blue color or reduce the visibility of pyrite, affecting its authenticity.
- Transparency and disclosure are crucial to maintain trust in the gemstone market, preventing misrepresentation and potential legal issues.
