VKC VALUE FACTORS FOR COLOUR GEMSTONE

 “Imitation gems have the appearance of their natural counterparts, but their physical properties are different. They are made to deceive” – (Cally Hall 2012, p. 36). As a consumer, you will commonly encounter imitation gems and treated gems in the market place which are enhanced for the appearance and beauty of the gemstones. Well, certainly a question before you invest is always been raised more than once, “Natural or Artificial stones” Which one are you going to invest in? Unfortunately, the answer is not that simple nor it is as straightforward as we hope.

 “Man-made materials, such as glass and synthetic gemstones, have been used to imitate many different gems, but natural stones can also be modified to resemble more valuable gems” – (Cally Hall 2012, p.36). In a sense, humans create lab gemstones so-called Synthetic gemstones. Moreover, can also alter gem materials after they are mined then it is enhanced through various treatment process to improve colour and clarity in order to use and set them in jewellery which is simultaneously low value.

 Most people do not hold any strong objection to the concept of enhanced gemstones and artificial gemstones if they are really aware of the treatment process and why should they? It is simply a matter of what’s most important to them to choose.

 “Imitation, which is still practised today and could well continue into the future, involves the production of very cheap materials that are to an extent similar to precious stones” – (Simon & Schuster’s 1984, p.314) If you do not carry strong opinion on investing treated and synthetic gems are likely to be a great option and you will be able to find numerous bargains that many investment seekers look beyond and most important you will have a much bigger selection to choose treated gems because many of the most popular gem types today simply cannot be found untreated. “It is possible to enhance authentic gemstones by hiding cracks and flaws, or by heat-treating or irradiating to improve their colour” – (Cally Hall 2012, p.36). However, natural gemstones can often be treated in many ways meant to alter their colour and clarity. In addition to enhancing their appearance, the process may also improve and in some cases, it diminishes the gem’s durability and value of the gemstone. These treatments are not apparent to the unpractised eye. However, it is necessary and legally required for anyone selling gems to disclose the treatment procedures it may have received.

The origin of the gemstone indicates the significance of the stone which eventually leads to specific types of inclusions and their beautiful colours in a gemstone. However, inclusion plays an important role in the gem world which is been said as gemstone identity discloses the country of origin providing valuable information. The uniqueness of the gemstone that lies in their inclusions which simultaneously come from origin of the country, like it is said, inclusions of blue sapphire “arrangement of the dotted to needle-shaped rutile substance reserved for Burma Sapphire” and many Burma Sapphire proclaim their origin with the appearance of “feathers” of fluid inclusion which distinguish themselves by their “folds”-p339 (Gublin, Koivala) 

“Zones and nebulous clouds” are found in Kashmir Sapphire, creating an extremely delicate web and well-known as Cornflower-Blue – p342 (Gublin, Koivala) and, “Epitaxial rutile” in a Srilankan Sapphire – p350(Gublin, Koivala) Sometimes, based on inclusion it is possible to find the origin and the type of gemstone. But, the marketplace has been polluted with synthetic, simulant and coloured glasses to imitate the gemstones for ages and still continuing in the current gem market conditions because buyers are not aware of identifying if it is natural, synthetic or any other imitation gemstone.