| Fracture-Filling
of Emerald |
| Oils and polymers
are used to fill fractures, resulting in
a more beautiful, darker color. However,
over time, the oil may disintegrate or the
polymers degrade, leading to a loss in beauty. |
 |
| Moderate oil treatment |
 |
|
| Heavy oil treatment |
 |
|
| Technical advances in controlling
pressure, started in the I970s, have led
to oil and polymer treatment becoming much
more effective. This in turn has resulted
in a huge increase in the number of treated
stones on the market: an increase supported
by demand. However, the value of these stones
is low, so caution is necessary. |
|
| Note: Even an untreated stone
sometimes reveals traces of oil under analysis.
This is because during the examination of
the rough material and polishing, oil and
water are used to protect the stone. While
every effort is made to remove any remaining
oil, sometimes traces remains. These are
insignificant and will not affect the quality
of the stone. |
|
| Characteristic
inclusions according to country of orlgin
|
| The particular environment
present during the crystallization process
of each gemstone, hundreds of millions of
years ago, accounts for each one's unique
character. |
 |
Sandawana mine
Typical needle-like tremolite inclusions
are seen here crisscrossing each other. |
|
 |
Zambian mine
Liquid and air inclusions trapped
during crystallization. |
|
|
