"There as many treatments done to rocks, minerals, and gems. Mostly to bring out or enhance the beauty of the material or actually change the color. Gems are most often treated by some sort or another. Be it heated as with Sapphires, Tansinite, Benitoite, to mention a few, Topaz is irradiated, Emeralds are oiled and the list goes on and on. Amethyst is heated to produce a deeper colored Citrine. (Natural Citrine is generally pale yellow.) I guess my question would be was the crystal worth more as an Amethyst or as a heat treated Citrine. As I recall, Rock and Gem had an article in a past issue on quartz and if left in the sun the colors can change or fade. Interesting stuff. I am sure there are lot more minerals, rocks and gems that can be adversely affected by different environmental conditions.

Of course this brings up the age old debate: does any treatment of a stone (all inclusvie) increase, decrease or make no change in the stones value. When purchasing stones the seller is suppose to reveal if the stone has been treated or not. But do they always?? Another nasty question. lol

I look forward to more insites, adventures and pictures of rocks and minerals, Wizard, welcome back.

Paul




Paul
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