Gemandgemstone.com is a strong supporter of fair trade practices, which majorly includes complete disclosure of gemstone enhancements. Therefore, these enhancement codes have been explained below for the information of all the visitors at gemandgemstone.com. American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) originally defined these codes and they are presented here for educational purposes only. The explanation of these codes can also be found elsewhere on the web.
Copied from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
With the exception of the normal fashioning (cutting and polishing) of a diamond and other gemstones, it is the seller's responsibility at the time of sale to provide all informations pertinent to the enhancement of a natural gemstone. If the stone is man-made, it is also the seller's responsibility to disclose that fact. This information is required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
" Failure to identify enhancement of natural gemstones, when present, is an unfair trade practice.
"Such information is required at each and all levels of jewelry commerce. Those specifically responsible to inform buyers include suppliers of uncut or polished diamonds and other gemstones; manufactures and wholesalers of jewelry containing natural or man-made stones; retailers, including sales, over the counter, catalog, catalog showrooms, mail order firms, television or other media sales programs, and advertisers."
Gemstone Enhancement Codes & Definitions
N (None) - |
The "N" symbol means that the gemstone has not been enhanced and the seller guarantees it.
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E (Enhanced) - |
The "E" symbol means that the gemstone is routinely enhanced and it has undergone its traditional enhancement process. For example, Amethyst is routinely turned into Citrine by heating.
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A - |
The "A" symbol indicates that the gemstone is not currently known to be enhanced or it is very rarely enhanced. For example, Amethyst is rarely known to be enhanced.
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B (Bleaching) - |
The "B" symbol means that the gemstone has undergone the bleaching process and in this case heat, light and/or other agents are used to lighten or remove a gemstone’s color. For example, Blonde Tiger’s Eye is treated by this procedure.
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C (Coating)- |
The "C" symbol means that surface enhancements such as lacquering, enameling, inking, foiling or sputtering of films have been used to improve the appearance of the gemstone by providing it color or adding any other special effects. For example, Rock Crystal cabochons are sometimes coated with green gelatin-like material, to make it look like emerald cabochons.
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D (Dyeing) - |
The "D" symbol means that artificial coloring agents have been used to improve the present color, providing color uniformity or to give a new color to a gemstone. For example, Agate is sometimes treated in this manner.
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F (Filling) - |
The "F" symbol means the substances like colorless glass, plastic, solidified borax or similar material has been used to fill the surface breaking cavities or fissures of a gemstone. For example, Ruby is sometimes enhanced like this to fill its cracks.
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H (Heating) - |
The "H" symbol indicates that the gemstone has been heated to improve the color, clarity or/and phenomena. For example, Tanzanite is always heated to turn it from brownish gray blue to a beautiful Tanzanite blue color. As it is always said, "no heating no tanzanite".
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I (Impregnation) - |
The "I" symbol means the impregnation of colorless agent (usually plastic) into a porous gemstone to improve its appearance and durability.
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L (Lasering) - |
The "L" symbol indicates the use of laser and chemicals to reach and alter the inclusions in diamonds.
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O
(Oiling/Resin Infusion)- |
The "O" symbol means that the gemstone’s appearance has been improved by filling its surface breaking fissures with substances like colorless oil, wax, resin or other colorless substances, except glass or plastic. For example, Emerald is commonly oiled with colorless oils to give it durability by filling its cracks.
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R (Irradiation) - |
The "R" symbol indicates that the use of neutrons requiring an environmental safety release from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), gamma and/or electron bombardment has been done to alter a gemstone's color. For example, Blue Topaz is known to treated in this manner.
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U (Diffusion) - |
The "U" symbol means that the use of chemicals in combination with high temperatures has been made to produce color and/or asterism producing inclusions. For example, light blue or colorless sapphire is treated in this manner to make it a strong Blue Sapphire.
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W (Waxing) - |
The "W" symbol indicates the impregnation of colorless wax, paraffin and oil in porous opaque or translucent gemstones to improve it appearance. For example, Turquoise is known to be treated with this procedure.
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SYN (Synthetic) - |
The tag code may be used to describe "synthetic" materials, which have essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as a naturally occurring counterpart. The code name may not be used as a noun; thus a stone must not be referred to as a "synthetic". In all cases, the name of the stone must also be used; thus a stone must be referred to as "synthetic emerald", synthetic ruby", etc.
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IMIT (Imitation) - |
This tag code is used for a manufactured product fabricated in such materials as glass, ceramic or plastic designed to imitate or resemble the appearance, but not duplicate the characteristic properties of a natural gemstone.
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ASBL (Assembled) - |
This tag is used for products made of multiple layers or combinations of manufactured and/or natural materials fused, bonded or otherwise joined together to increase stability and/or to imitate the appearance of a natural gemstone, create a unique design or generate unusual color combinations. |
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