gemstone enhancement chart

 gemstone enhancement chart
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HSN is one of the largest gemstone retailers in the world. To enhance the quality of our gems, we sometimes treat them to improve their color or durability. These treatments are common and acceptable in the industry. Learn more about gemstone lore and legends.

gemstones

treatments/benefits

care instructions
Agate gemstone (see Chalcedony)
 Heated, dyed to enhance bands in layers Normal care
Alexandrite gemstone None Normal care
Almandite gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Amber gemstone
 Occasionally heat- treated or dyed to deepen color Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Amethyst gemstone (Quartz)
 Occasionally heat- treated to improve color Normal care
Ametrine gemstone (Quartz)
 None Normal care
Andalusite gemstone Rarely heat-treated to improve color Normal care
Apatite gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Aquamarine gemstone (Beryl)
 Usually heat-treated to improve color Normal care
Aventurine gemstone (Quartz) None Normal care
Azurite gemstone Rarely filled with epoxy or resin for smoother surface Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Azurmalachite gemstone Rarely filled with epoxy or resin for smoother surface Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Blue Topaz gemstone Usually irradiated and heated to produce blue color Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Canary Aqua™ gemstone Commonly heated for color enhancement Normal care but avoid excessive heat.
Cat's Eye gemstone None Normal care
Chalcedony gemstone Usually dyed or heat-treated to produce different colors Normal care
Chrome Diopside gemstone None Avoid chemicals and sudden temperature changes, avoid ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Citrine gemstone (Quartz) Usually heat-treated to improve color Normal care
Coral gemstone Usually dyed or bleached to improve color Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Demantoid gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Diamond gemstone - clear None Normal care
Diamond gemstone - colored Usually heat-treated or irradiated for color Normal care
Drusy Quartz gemstone coated and or dyed Avoid heat, temperature changes, steaming, chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners & repolishing
Emerald gemstone (Beryl) Usually oiled to improve color Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Fluorite gemstone Usually heat treated or irradiated to improve color Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Garnet gemstone (also listed by type) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Gaspeite gemstone Occasionally stabilized with plastic Normal care
Goshenite gemstone None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Heliodor gemstone Irradiated for color enhancement Normal care
Hematite gemstone None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Hessonite gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Howlite gemstone Occasionally dyed to improve color and to emulate turquoise Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Indicolite gemstone (Tourmaline) Commonly heat-treated to improve color Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Iolite gemstone None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Jade gemstone Commonly dyed, heated, occasionally filled with wax for appearance Normal care
Jasper gemstone Occasionally dyed to enhance color Normal care
Jet gemstone None Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Kornerupine gemstone None Normal care but avoid rough handling and sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Kunzite gemstone (Spodumene) Usually irradiated to enhance color Avoid sudden temperature changes, rough handling and exposure to strong light
Kyanite gemstone None Avoid rough handling, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Labradorite gemstone None Avoid rough handling, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Lapis Lazuli gemstone Commonly dyed and paraffin-coated for color and shine Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Lepidolite gemstone None Normal care
Malachite gemstone Wax or epoxy occasionally added to cover small chips and to smooth surface Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Mariposite gemstone None Normal care
Moldavite gemstone None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Moonstone gemstone None Normal care
Morganite gemstone (Beryl) Commonly heat-treated to enhance color Normal care
Mother of Pearl gemstone Commonly dyed to produce colors Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Muscovite gemstone None Normal care
Mystic Topaz gemstone The top is coated to enhance the color Normal care but avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals. These stones should not be recut.
Onyx gemstone (Chalcedony) Commonly dyed Normal care
Opal gemstone To enhance appearance and durability, wax, oil or plastic may be added Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Pearl gemstone Commonly bleached, dyed or irradiated for consistent color Avoid chemicals (including hairspray and cosmetics), steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Peridot gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning, sudden temperature changes
Petalite gemstone None Avoid rough handling, ultrasonic cleaning
Petrified Wood gemstone (see Chalcedony) None Normal care
Pietersite gemstone None Normal care
Pyrope gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Rainbow Calsilica gemstone Occasionally stabilized with plastic Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Rhodochrosite gemstone None Avoid chemicals, rough handling, and excessive heat.
Rhodolite gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Rhodonite gemstone None Normal care
Rosenite™ gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Rubellite gemstone (Tourmaline) Commonly heat-treated or irriadiated to enhance color Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Ruby gemstone Occasionally glass-filled to enhance clarity Avoid cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaning, heat and repairs; they can cause damage, as this treatment is not considered permanent or stable
Rutilated Quartz gemstone None Normal care but avoid heat, temperature changes, steaming, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning
Sapphire gemstone Usually heat-treated to enhance color Normal care
Scapolite gemstone Commonly irradiated for color enhancement Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning, avoid exposure to strong light
Serpentine gemstone Commonly dyed or waxed to improve appearance or alter colors Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Shell gemstone Commonly dyed to produce colors Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Smokey Quartz gemstone Occasionally heat-treated or irradiated to improve color Normal care but avoid heat, temperature changes, steaming, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning
Sodalite gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Spessartite gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Sphene gemstone None Avoid chemicals, sudden temperature changes, and rough handling
Spinel gemstone None Normal care
Sugilite gemstone None Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Sunstone gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Tanzanite gemstone Zoisite is routinely heat-treated to produce Tanzanite’s signature violet-blue color Avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes
Tiger Iron gemstone None Normal care
Tiger's Eye gemstone (Quartz) Commonly heat-treated, dyed or bleached to enhance color Avoid sudden temperatures changes and strong chemicals
Topaz gemstone (other than blue) Usually heat-treated to create colors Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Tourmaline gemstone Green and blue commonly heat-treated to enhance color. Yellow and red irradiated Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Tsvorite gemstone (Garnet) None Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes
Turquoise gemstone Commonly stabilized – infused with plastic to enhance durability and color Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning. Perspiration and cosmetics may alter color.
Unakite gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Variscite gemstone None Avoid chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Verdelite gemstone (Tourmaline) Commonly heat-treated to enhance color Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
White Aqua™ gemstone (Beryl) None Normal care
Yellow Beryl gemstone (Heliodor) Commonly heated for color enhancement Normal care but avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Zircon gemstone Routinely heat-treated to create blue color Avoid abrasives, rough wear and exposure to strong light.
HSN offers new and exciting gemstones all the time. Check back regularly for our most recent additions.


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