Hi Gerry. I just may be the newest G.G. in the forum. As usual in the
gem trade, some dealers are disclosing, and most are not. What I see
at wholesale shows is that most “high end” dealers are either
disclosing treatments, or are selling gems and gem materials which
are either not treated or are selling materials, the treatment of
which are difficult or impossible to detect without proper testing
equipment. This is NOT to say that they are willfully practicing
non-disclosure, as most of them probably have no idea that many
stones are treated before they’re even cut.
Probably the best example was the gentleman who was convinced that I
should buy a ruby ring he had on display in his case. Just for fun,
I inquired as to whether the rubies had been treated (they were very
small, princess cut, melee stones, channel set). He gave me a firm
shake of his head as he avoided my gaze and replied “no”. I looked
into one of the stones and immediately saw the blobs of partially
melted rutile needles, a sign of probable heat treatment. This is
often considered acceptable for rubies, which is why it usually
isn’t disclosed. Just as tanzanite and topaz are nearly all heat
treated before fashioning, which is usually not disclosed. I realize
that most consumers have no idea that most of the gemstones they see
in stores have been treated as a matter of course, and might be
likely to not make a purchase if they knew. I suppose that it is
ethical to sell ROUTINELY treated stones without disclosing their
treated nature, but people with internet connections learn more
every day. These are the people who will be incensed when they find
that their precious blue diamond has been irradiated to achieve it’s
color. Gemstone dealers and retailers who do not disclose, don’t be
surprised when a customer with a DSL connection and an attitude
return to your store or trade show booth with their jewelry item in
hand and a lawsuit on their lips. Or worse, a rookie television
reporter with something to prove!
Remember the undisclosed emerald fracture-filling debacle of the
1990s!!!
James