COLOR IN GEMS: THE NEW
TECHNOLOGIES
George R. Rossman
Division of Geological and Planetary
Sciences
California Institute of Technoogy
Pasadena, CA 91125
Abstract
Advances in technology have brought great advances in our
ability to impart color to natural gemstones as well as to create
synthetics. Simultaneously, technologies are also being developed to
distinguish natural from artificial colors as well as natural from
synthetic materials. This article discusses some of the work being done
to enhance color in gemstones today and some of the techniques used by
the laboratories at the California Institute of Technology to determine
whether a color originates naturally or in the laboratory. Dyed jade,
synthetic turquoise, heat-treated beryl and zircon, irradiated
spodumene, and topaz that has been irradiated and heat treated to
produce a pleasing blue color are some of the specific examples
included.
last updated: 3-Sep-2017