Irradiated Stones

[Gemmal]

Does anyone know if irradiated diamonds can be dangerous. I read somewhere that they are. Do they leave a residual? Will washing your hands get rid of the danger? Does anyone know how this works?

 

[CaptAubrey]

In the early 20th century, diamonds were irradiated by packing them in radium salts. This indeed left them highly radioactive. Nowadays, irradiation is done in linear accelerators or smal nuclear reactors, and if done properly does not create residual radioactivity (at least none that lasts long enough to be an issue).

I would worry about this only if you''re looking at/for an estate piece. Modern treatment methods are safe.