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
Abalone gemstone None Avoid heat, household chemicals, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Agate gemstone (see Chalcedony)
 Sometimes heat-treated and / or dyed to enhance bands in layers Normal care
Alexandrite gemstone None Normal care
Almandite gemstone (see Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Amazonite gemstone Sometimes heat-treated or irradiated to enhance color; sometimes stabilized with a colorless wax, oil, plastic or hardening agent to enhance appearance Avoid household chemicals, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
Amber gemstone
 Sometimes heat-treated, dyed or surface-treated to deepen color; sometimes pressed/compressed with extreme pressure and heat to fuse together small pieces of natural amber Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Amethyst gemstone (see Quartz)
 Occasionally heat- treated to enhance color Normal care
Ametrine gemstone (Quartz)
 None Normal care
Ammolite gemstone (Ammonite Shell) Sometimes stabilized to increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid heat, household chemicals, ultrasonic cleaning
Andalusite gemstone Occasionally heat-treated to enhance color Normal care
Apatite gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
Aquamarine gemstone (see Beryl)
 Occasionally heat-treated to enhance color Normal care
Aventurine gemstone (Quartz) None Normal care
Azurite gemstone Occasionally filled with epoxy or resin to create smoother surface Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Azurmalachite gemstone Rarely filled with epoxy or resin for smoother surface Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Beryl gemstone(also listed by type) Occasionally dyed, heat treated, irradiated to improve color; usually oil-, wax- and/or resin-filled increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid heat, household chemicals, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Bloodstone (Chalcedony) None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Blue Topaz gemstone Usually irradiated and heated to produce blue color Avoid steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Calcite gemstone Dyed to enhance color; stabilized with colorless plastic to increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid heat, household chemicals, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Canary Aqua� gemstone Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid excessive heat
Carnelian gemstone (see Chalcedony) Sometimes dyed and/or heat-treated to improve color Avoid excessive heat
Cat's Eye effect None Normal care
Chalcedony gemstone (see Quartz) Usually dyed and/or heat-treated to produce different colors Normal care
Chrome Diopside gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Chrysoprase gemstone (see Chalcedony) None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Chrysocolla gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Citrine gemstone (Quartz) Usually heat-treated or irradiated to improve color Normal care
Coral gemstone Usually dyed or bleached to enhance color; sometimes stabilized with colorless plastic increase durability and to improve appearance; sometimes stabilized and compressed under extreme pressure and heat to bind together small pieces of natural material into a larger whole Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Corundum Gemstone (also listed by type) Usually heat-treated, diffusion-treated or irradiated to enhance color; occasionally dyed, oiled, glass-filled to enhance clarity Avoid heat, household cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaning and repairs; they can cause damage, as this treatment is not considered permanent or stable
Demantoid gemstone (see Garnet) None Avoid heat, household chemicals, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
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 to enhance color Avoid heat, household chemicals, re-polishing, steam, sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning
Emerald gemstone (see Beryl) Usually oiled to improve color; usually oil-, wax and/or resin-filled to increase durability and/or to improve appearance Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Fluorite gemstone Usually heat treated or irradiated to enahnce color Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Garnet gemstone (also listed by type) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Gaspeite gemstone Occasionally stabilized with plastic/resin increase durability and to improve appearance Normal care
Goshenite gemstone None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Grossularite gemstone (Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Heliodor gemstone Irradiated for color enhancement Normal care
Hematite gemstone None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Hessonite gemstone (Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Hiddenite gemstone (Spodumene) Irradiated to enhance color Avoid exposure to excessive light, rough handling, sudden temperature changes
Howlite gemstone Sometimes dyed to enhance color and to simulate turquoise and other stones Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Indicolite gemstone (Tourmaline) Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid exposure to excessive light, rough handling, sudden temperature changes
Iolite gemstone None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Ivory & Bone Gemstones Usually bleached or dyed to enhance color; sometimes stabilized increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid household chemicals and ultrasonic, may discolor in time
Jade gemstone Usually dyed and/or heat-treated to enhance color; occasionally wax-coated to enhance appearance Normal care
Jasper (Chalcedony) gemstone Occasionally dyed to enhance color Normal care
Jet gemstone None Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Kornerupine gemstone None Avoid rough handling, sudden temperature changes, stream, ultrasonic cleaning
Kunzite gemstone (see Spodumene) Usually irradiated to enhance color Avoid exposure to excessive light, rough handling, sudden temperature changes
Kyanite gemstone Occasionally heated to enhance color Avoid rough handling, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Labradorite gemstone None Avoid rough handling, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Lapis Lazuli gemstone Usually dyed and wax-coated to enhance color and shine Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Lepidolite Gemstone None Normal care
Malachite Gemstone Occasionally infused with wax or epoxy to enhance durability and appearance, and to create smooth surface Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Mammoth Gemstone (see Ivory) Usually bleached, dyed and/or stabilized to improve color or increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid household chemicals and ultrasonic, may discolor in time
Marcasite Gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, stem/heat, ultrasonic, sudden temperature changes
Mariposite Gemstone None Normal care
Moldavite Gemstone None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Moonstone Gemstone None Normal care
Morganite Gemstone (see Beryl) Commonly heat-treated to enhance color Normal care
Mother of Pearl gemstone Usually bleached, dyed, irradiated and/or coated to produce colors Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Muscovite gemstone None Normal care
Mystic Topaz gemstone Surface-enhanced with a coating to enhance color Avoid abrasive and harsh chemicals, do not re-cut stones
Obsidian gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Onyx gemstone (see Chalcedony) Usually dyed to enhance color Normal care
Opal gemstone Sometimes infused with wax, oil or plastic to enhance appearance and durability Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Pearl gemstone Usually bleached, dyed, irradiated and/or coated to enhance appearance Avoid household chemicals (including hairspray and cosmetics), steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Peridot gemstone Sometimes infused with oil, wax , resins and/or colorless hardened substance to enhance appearance Avoid household chemicals, sudden temperature changes, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
Petalite gemstone None Avoid rough handling, ultrasonic cleaning
Petrified Wood gemstone (see Chalcedony) None Normal care
Pietersite gemstone None Normal care
Prasiolite gemstone (praziolite) (Quartz) Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Prehnite gemstone Occasionally stabilized increase durability and to improve appearance Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Pyrope gemstone (Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Quartz gemstone (also listed by type) Usually dyed and/or heat-treated to produce different colors; sometimes surface-enhanced with a coating to enhance color Avoid abrasives, harsh chemicals, steam, ultrasonic cleaning; surface enhanced-stones should not be re-cut
Quartzite gemstone Sometimes stabilized with colorless resin increase durability and to improve appearance Normal care
Rainbow Calsilica gemstone Sometimes stabilized and compressed with a binding agent under extreme pressure and heat to bind together small pieces of natural material into a larger whole Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Rhodochrosite gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, rough handling, and excessive heat.
Rhodolite gemstone (see Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Rhodonite gemstone None Normal care
Rock Crystal Gemstone (Quartz ) None Normal care
Rosenite� gemstone (Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Rubellite gemstone (see Tourmaline) Usually heat-treated or irradiated to enhance color Avoid sudden temperature changes
Ruby gemstone Usually heat-treated, diffusion-treated and/or irradiated to enhance color; occasionally dyed, oiled, glass-filled to enhance clarity Avoid heat, household cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaning, repairs; they can cause damage, as this treatment is not considered permanent or stable
Rutilated Quartz gemstone None; needle-like rutiles are natural characteristics Avoid heat, household chemicals, sudden temperature changes, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
Sardonyx gemstone (see Chalcedony) Usually dyed to enhance color Avoid household chemicals, stem/heat, ultrasonic, sudden temperature changes
Sapphire gemstone Usually heat-treated, diffusion-treated and/or irradiated to enhance color; occasionally dyed, oiled, glass-filled to enhance clarity Avoid heat, household cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaning and repairs; they can cause damage, as this treatment is not considered permanent or stable
Sard gemstone Sometimes dyed and/or heat-treated to enhance color Avoid excessive heat and light
Scapolite gemstone Usually irradiated to enhance color Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning, avoid exposure to strong light
Serpentine gemstone Usually dyed or waxed to enhance appearance or to alter color Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Shell gemstone Usually dyed to produce colors Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Smokey Quartz gemstone Occasionally heat-treated or irradiated to enhance color Avoid heat, household chemicals, sudden temperature changes, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
Sodalite gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Spessartite gemstone (see Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Sphene gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, sudden temperature changes, and rough handling
Spinel gemstone None Normal care
Spodumene Gemstone (Hiddenite) (Kunzite) Irradiated to enhance color Avoid exposure to excessive light, rough handling, sudden temperature changes
Sugilite gemstone Occasionally dyed to enhance color Avoid household chemicals, stem and ultrasonic cleaning
Sunstone gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Tanzanite gemstone (see Zoisite) Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes
Tiger Iron gemstone None Normal care
Tiger's Eye gemstone (see Quartz) Usually heat-treated, dyed or bleached to enhance color Avoid harsh chemicals, sudden temperatures changes
Topaz gemstone (colors other than blue) Usually heat-treated to produce different colors; sometimes surface-enhanced with a coating to enhance color Avoid abrasives, harsh chemicals, sudden temperature changes, steam, ultrasonic cleaning; surface-enhanced stones should not be re-cut
Tourmaline gemstone Green and blue tourmaline are usually heat-treated to enhance color; yellow and red tourmaline are usually irradiated to improve color Avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Tourmalinated Quartz gemstone (see Quartz) None; needle-like quartz rutiles are natural characteristics Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Tsvorite gemstone (see Garnet) None Avoid sudden temperature changes
Turquoise gemstone Usually stabilized with plastic to enhance durability and color; sometimes stabilized and compressed with a binding agent under extreme pressure and heat to bind together small pieces of natural material into a larger whole Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning. Perspiration and cosmetics may alter color.
Unakite gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Variscite gemstone None Avoid household chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning
Verdelite gemstone (Tourmaline) Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid sudden temperature changes, steam, ultrasonic cleaning
White Aqua� gemstone (Beryl) None Normal care
Yellow Beryl gemstone (Heliodor) Usually heat-treated to enhance color Avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaning and steamer
Zircon gemstone Usually heat-treated to create blue color Avoid abrasives, exposure to excessive light, rough handling
Additional Terms:
Assembled Gemstone

Composed of more than one part to increase durability
Doublet-assembled product

To increase durability

 Avoid household chemicals, stem/heat, ultrasonic, sudden temperature changes
Triplet-assembled product To increase durability Avoid household chemicals, stem/heat, ultrasonic, sudden temperature changes
HSN offers new and exciting gemstones all the time. Check back regularly for our most recent additions.