Amateur Be-diffusion detecting - Darklight & Immersion?

[Coralfish]

Hi guys,

I remember seeing somewhere there is an amateur way to detect clues to some early be-diffused stones that showed the pinky-orange outer ring - dark field illumination and immersion??
I am not entirely sure how to go about this, so I would be most grateful if someone could clarify. What kind of equipment do I need and how to set it up, etc.

Additionally does anyone know where I can get a sapphire Be-tested in the UK? There was a lab in Skipton but I am told they damaged a sapphire so the FGA I know does not use them any more. Is the nearest alternative really Gubelin etc?

Many thanks!

 

[pregcurious]

Here is info from Pala:
http://www.palagems.com/bulk_diffusion_sapphire.htm
"How can gems treated by this process be identified?
In many cases, gems treated by this process can be identified by immersion in 3.32 liquid, which reveals a yellow-orange layer at and just beneath the surface of the gem. But in other cases, the color may penetrate entirely through the gem. Gemologists around the world are currently working to develop detection methods for all stones treated by this process."

There is also mention of using immersion for detecting orange skins on early BE-diffused sapphires here:
http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/treated_orange_sapphire.htm

GIA also has this article which talks about detecting BE-treatment in synthetic sapphires:
http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-Sapphire-Series-Treated-Synthetics

 

[chrono]

I do not think there are any labs in the UK that can test for diffusion. Good labs in Europe that I trust are GIA, SSEF, and Gubelin.