mogok
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 408
Dear all,
Here is a message to inform you that we have finally put on line our study about the new evolution in blue sapphire treatment that have put Thailand into turmoil one month ago after the announcement that some new treatment with beryllium had appear.
As the "Pandora Box" was open, we feel that we have to share with the public the results of our investigations and thoughts even if currently the situation remains unclear.
Currently the AIGS Gemological Laboratory believes that, in the absence of verified data regarding this issue, we should be careful about stating that blue sapphires are "beryllium treated".
We have a here obviously a "High temperature/Long Period of time" heat treatment as the treatment is more than 3 weeks long, which is quite new in Thailand. Thus the internal scene in these stones is quite unusual, whith highly alterated inclusions. We are currently on the process to check carefully about the beryllium presence as a cooperation with GIA research team that have developped for LA-ICPMS some new corundum standards that will probably help to clarify this issue.
Note: Only few stones from this treatment have reach yet the market as the Thai traders have taken the case very seriously following the initial announcement by a gemological laboratory one month ago. It is not clear yet if these stone will be found commonly in the next few months, so we believe that the matter should be handled carefully and in a collabotation spirit the for best interest of the sapphire trade.
We invite you to read this study which is available on AIGS laboratory website from page:
AIGS Lab website
The study is a 4 web pages work with many inclusion photographs. Quite beautiful inlcusions I've to say... "Something from the deep blue or the outer space" I would say....
But no it is blue sapphire!
All the best,
Here is a message to inform you that we have finally put on line our study about the new evolution in blue sapphire treatment that have put Thailand into turmoil one month ago after the announcement that some new treatment with beryllium had appear.
As the "Pandora Box" was open, we feel that we have to share with the public the results of our investigations and thoughts even if currently the situation remains unclear.
Currently the AIGS Gemological Laboratory believes that, in the absence of verified data regarding this issue, we should be careful about stating that blue sapphires are "beryllium treated".
We have a here obviously a "High temperature/Long Period of time" heat treatment as the treatment is more than 3 weeks long, which is quite new in Thailand. Thus the internal scene in these stones is quite unusual, whith highly alterated inclusions. We are currently on the process to check carefully about the beryllium presence as a cooperation with GIA research team that have developped for LA-ICPMS some new corundum standards that will probably help to clarify this issue.
Note: Only few stones from this treatment have reach yet the market as the Thai traders have taken the case very seriously following the initial announcement by a gemological laboratory one month ago. It is not clear yet if these stone will be found commonly in the next few months, so we believe that the matter should be handled carefully and in a collabotation spirit the for best interest of the sapphire trade.
We invite you to read this study which is available on AIGS laboratory website from page:
AIGS Lab website
The study is a 4 web pages work with many inclusion photographs. Quite beautiful inlcusions I've to say... "Something from the deep blue or the outer space" I would say....
But no it is blue sapphire!
All the best,