The Four C’s of Gemology.
The four C’s are used when rating and setting a price for a gemstone. A gemologist, or a jeweler will look at the clarity, color, cut, and carat when selecting a stone to use. When selecting a piece of jewelry, you should always keep in mind the four c’s and your preference. Some people enjoy having a large stone, but maybe the color isn’t as radiant as a smaller stone. Another person might have a preference of how the gemstone was cut but doesn’t mind the carat of the stone. Each gemstone is unique and by keeping the four C’s in mind you can easily purchase the right piece of jewelry that suits both your lifestyle, and your budget.
Heat Treatment – Some natural gemstones will have inclusions which are imperfections like water or other materials getting trapped during the gem’s formation. Heat treatment can correct some of the inclusions making the stone appear clearer and have a better color after the process is done. Heat treated stones will still have value, but it will be less compared to an untreated gemstone.
Irradiation – Irradiation is a process in which a gemstone color can be enhanced or altered through focusing radiation on the gem. The most common gemstones to undergo this process are topaz, and diamonds in order to change the color, or enhance the color. The Nuclear Regulation Commission or NRC requires irradiated stones be set aside for several months, then undergo testing to make sure the gemstone will not affect the wearer’s health. When exposed to a high intensity light source the color may dull slightly which makes irradiated stones a little less valuable when compared to an untreated gemstone. The NRC requires the sellers to inform the client when it is used on a gemstone.
Those are the two most common treatments of gemstones, but there are several less common treatments like oiling, impregnation, and Laser-drilling to make the perfect gem.
These gemstones still retain a lot of their value, and are a great addition to any jewelry collection. We take great pride in informing the customer of any and all treatments that have been done to our gemstones.