"Melted Fingerprints"

[gemdandy]

Does the description "melted fingerprints" mean that there is glass filling in the stone? I have read an EGL report, which states the ruby is heat treated with evidence of "melted fingerprints."

 

[VapidLapid]

fingerprint type inclusions are a common type of inclusion that look like a portion of a fingerprint floating in the stone. Heating the stone can melt the inclusion, some of which can get absorbed into the crystal matrix, but still leaving a lesser trait. I would think the melted fingerprint inclusion was one of the criteria that told them the stone had been heat treated.

 

[minousbijoux]

OP: my interpretation of this article by Richard Hughes is that yes, a melted fingerprint could very well be an indication of flux and glass filled. VL, what say you? http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/flux_healing_mong_hsu_ruby.htm

 

[VapidLapid]

I would always defer to Richard Hughes. Certainly if the fracture containing the fingerprint reaches a surface it could be flux healed / glass filled. If the inclusion is not surface breaking there is no way for the glass or flux to get in.

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks for the education

 

[gemdandy]

Thanks everyone!!