The brilliance and beauty of natural gemstones are brought to life by the most basic enhancement – the art of cutting. Over the centuries, man has also developed many other sophisticated methods to improve on nature, enhancing color, luster, clarity and brilliance. Some of these methods mimic what might eventually happen to a stone under natural conditions and are considered permanent. Others involve adding materials to the stone. By understanding these enhancements, you will be better able to appreciate the quality and beauty of your gemstone jewelry.

Carina’s Collection accepts certain standard enhancements. We employ independent gemologists to inspect stones to detect treatments which are unacceptable to us, assuring you of the utmost quality and lasting beauty.

Heating is the most common and accepted treatment for stones such as a ruby, sapphire, amber, aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline and jade. It can lighten, darken or completely change the color of a gemstone. It may also improve the transparency of a gemstone. Heating is considered a permanent treatment.

Oiling is an ancient process used to enhance the clarity of emeralds. Oil that is applied to the emeralds seeps into the naturally occurring surface fractures found in most emeralds. Filling the fractures intensifies the hue and may also prevent brittleness. Oiling may need to be reapplied every few years, and special care must be taken when cleaning an oiled emerald, even as moderate changes in temperature may cause the oil to seep out. If this happens, the stone needs only to be cleaned and oiled again. Carina’s collection only accepts colorless oil.

Impregnation or fracture filling with an epoxy-like resin is another form of treatment occasionally used for emeralds, as well as rubies and sapphires. Carina’s Collection does not accept emeralds, rubies, or sapphires from our suppliers that have been intentionally impregnated or fracture-filled. However, due to the possibility of chemical residues from the heating process and the extreme difficulty of detecting some fracture-filling, we cannot absolutely guarantee that gemstones have not been altered in this manner.

Dying and polymer treatments are methods of color enhancing jade. Carina’s Collection does not accept jade from our suppliers that has been polymer treated.

Culturing pearls was developed as a response to the extremely rarity of naturally formed pearls. By seeding an oyster with an irritant, layer upon layer of nacre forms until a lustrous cultured pearl is created. Cultured pearls are often bleached and polished to achieve a uniform color and shape. Some cultured pearls are dyed or irritated to achieve their color. Natural colored pearls are cultivated in various parts of the world and are available at Carina’s Collection.

Irradiation is used to enhance or change the color of a gemstone. It is most often used on blue topaz. It may also be used to enhance yellow sapphire, topaz, tourmaline, aquamarine and cultured pearls. This treatment is usually permanent, although irradiated yellow sapphires made fade in time.

Diffusion involves coating a gemstone with a titanium and oxide compound, then heating it. It is particularly used to enhance blue sapphires or even transform a colorless sapphire into deep blue. Carina’s Collection does not accept gemstones treated by diffusion.

General care of most gemstones is relatively simple. Avoid wearing them while doing housework, gardening or engaging in strenuous activity. An occasional cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth will keep them sparkling.

A few stones require special care. For emeralds, opals, tanzanite, jade, onyx, peridot and cultured pearls: Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid sudden temperature changes, steaming and contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume or household chemicals. Clean only with a damp cloth or soft brush. Treat your stones with loving care and they should provide you with years of pleasure.