After seeing a recent increase in consumer assurance, as well as prices, the emerald market is yet again faced with a new challenge. A new method allowing for the treatment of rough emeralds has begun to spark worry for many involved in the trade. This method uses hardener resins such as Permasafe to treat rough emeralds, making them more suitable for faceting. This treatment seems to be materializing in Columbia, which is a key source of emerald production. Rough Columbian emeralds are usually washed during separation, but are never treated.

These fillers, such as Permasafe, are accepted for finished stones as long as the treatment is revealed. However, treating emeralds in the rough could result in jeopardizing the stone, as well as the assurance of consumers. Such fillers, when used in the rough, can make the stone up to 65% stronger. If stones are treated in the rough, this information is usually disclosed by the producers. However, the problem is that many retailers, those higher up in the distribution of the stones, are dropping the disclosure of these treatments.

These treatment methods create a problem for consumers looking for genuine emeralds. There is a way you can assure that your emeralds have not been treated in the rough. When buying an emerald or emerald jewelry, it is always good to buy from a source you trust. Trust is a key factor when you are looking to buy precious stones. Trust is especially important when buying colored gemstones. Colored gemstones have no international consumer authenticity source. This can create a problem when you enter the market for colored stones. In order to ensure a quality, authentic precious gemstone, make sure you shop with a dependable, reliable and established retailer whom you feel comfortable dealing with.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 10th, 2007 at 2:29 pm and is filed under Gem News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.