Diffusion Treatment

Diffused Blue Star Sapphire Cabochon

It is important to exercise awareness and caution when considering diffusion treatment as a gemstone treatment method. This treatment technique has sparked some controversy within the industry. Diffusion treatment involves subjecting the surface of a stone to specific chemicals and high heat in a furnace. Typically, only the surface color of the gemstone is altered, meaning that if the gemstone were to be sliced in half, the interior would exhibit a different color, often a lighter shade of lesser value. One notable concern is that the newly acquired surface color is relatively shallow, reaching only about half a millimeter in depth.

If the stone is damaged or perhaps recut, then the original, undesirable color will be noticeable. Beware of this treatment. Nowadays, this method is used to change the color of ruby, green topaz, and blue sapphire.

Usually the original material is a pale or almost colorless stone that is treated to change the color of the surface. Until methods are perfected whereby the entire stone color can be changed, reputable dealers will always tell you which stones have been altered by this method of treatment. Some dealers even refuse to trade in these stones.

However, for star sapphires, this practice is more readily accepted. GemSelect deals in star sapphires that are diffusion treated. Diffusion treatment is a popular method for treating star sapphire, since the treatment will increase the asterism (the star effect in sapphire and ruby).

The diffusion process may reach a depth of half a millimeter into the gemstone. The process enhances the star effect on the gemstone and the stone can be sold as a diffused star sapphire. The hardness of the gemstone is not affected by the diffusion process, therefore the gemstone retains its original physical properties. A sapphire made into a diffused star sapphire cannot be polished for a second time or recut, as the treatment is only on the surface of the stone. Polishing or recutting would remove this surface treatment.

However, most buyers never repolish or recut the gemstones set in jewelry. This is especially true of sapphires because they are hard and scratch resistant gemstones.