Are alexandrites ever treated?

[LoversKites]

As abound as synthetics and simulants are, is alexandrite or chrysoberyl ever treated? I've seen alex being advertised as 'unheated' before which implies some is heated. I've read that some are oiled. Both of these treatments are to improve clarity. Anyone know anything about alexandrite treatments?

 

[chrono]

If it can be done, it will be done. But in seriousness, I don't think there's much that can be done other than clarity enhancement at this point in time. Heating supposedly does not improve colouration, from what I've read, so I think some vendors claim that it is unheated to make it sound more special/rarer when it really isn't.

 

[LoversKites]

If it can be done, it will be done. But in seriousness, I don't think there's much that can be done other than clarity enhancement at this point in time. Heating supposedly does not improve colouration, from what I've read, so I think some vendors claim that it is unheated to make it sound more special/rarer when it really isn't.

Yeah, colour enhancement would be a tricky one to conjure for alex considering the various colour ways. Thanks for replying.

 

[eastjavaman]

I am surprised Marlow is absent from this thread

 

[Marlow]

Only treatment for chrysoberyl - irradiation of pale cat eyes - the result: dark brown radioactive stones.

In common chrysoberyl no treatment - in alex too but I think they treat some with oil if fractures reach the surface.

So chrysoberyl is normally untreated.

 

[LoversKites]

Only treatment for chrysoberyl - irradiation of pale cat eyes - the result: dark brown radioactive stones.

In common chrysoberyl no treatment - in alex too but I think they treat some with oil if fractures reach the surface.

So chrysoberyl is normally untreated.

Thanks. Good to know.