Heating Sapphires?

[starsapphire]

Hi, does heating blue sapphire make them lighter? I had a ring one time that was blue sapphire, and when I got it back from the jeweler''s for sizing, the sapphires seemed a bit brighter....or maybe it was just REALLY clean? Is this the same thing as "cooking" a stone? Thanks.

 

[chrono]

No, sizing up or down or even setting a gemstone does not affect the colour of sapphires. Even if a jeweller''s torch is used, the temperature is very low compared to the true heating aka cooking of sapphires. You''re probably just seeing a very clean stone. No worries.

 

[innerkitten]

Being a gem lover you''ll probably find this site fun anyway ( maybe you''ve seen it already ). But there are some cool photos in this section of some men heating sapphires the old way.
http://www.fieldgemology.org/gemology%20sri%20lanka%20ceylon%202005.php

 

[innerkitten]

Hmmm, that link didn''t have all the photos. I promise it''s in there soewhere

 

[starsapphire]

Thanks innerkitten! That is a really cool site!