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How To Increase Yellow Sapphires Colour By Heat Treating.
Yellow sapphire, also known as "Pukhraj" in Hindi, is a precious gemstone that belongs to the corundum family, the same mineral family as rubies and blue sapphires. It is typically yellow to golden in color and is associated with the planet Jupiter in Vedic astrology. Many people wear yellow sapphire for its supposed astrological benefits, which include:
1. **Prosperity and Wealth**: It is believed to bring financial stability and success.
2. **Health Benefits**: Some claim it improves mental clarity and boosts immunity.
3. **Marital Bliss**: In Vedic astrology, it's said to help with marital harmony and enhance relationships.
4. **Education and Wisdom**: It is associated with increased knowledge, wisdom, and intellect.
Yellow sapphires are typically sourced from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Madagascar, Thailand, and Australia. The stone is graded based on its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, with vivid, transparent yellow stones being the most valuable.
Yellow Sapphire Heat Treatment.
Heat treatment is a common practice used to enhance the color and clarity of yellow sapphires, as well as other gemstones. This process involves heating the stone at high temperatures to improve its appearance, making it more appealing for use in jewelry. Here's how it works and what it entails:
### 1. **Purpose of Heat Treatment**:
- **Enhance Color**: In some cases, natural yellow sapphires may have a pale or uneven color. Heat treatment deepens and intensifies the yellow hue, making the gem more attractive.
- **Improve Clarity**: The process can help reduce the visibility of inclusions (internal flaws) or imperfections, giving the gemstone a clearer, cleaner look.
### 2. **Process**:
- The sapphire is exposed to temperatures between 1700°C and 1900°C in a controlled environment.
- During the process, certain chemical elements within the sapphire, such as iron or titanium, react to the heat, bringing out a more vivid yellow color.
- The heating may also help remove silk-like inclusions (rutile) from within the gem, improving clarity.
### 3. **Detecting Heat Treatment**:
- **Microscopic Analysis**: Trained gemologists can detect signs of heat treatment under a microscope. Certain internal features, such as partially dissolved inclusions or heat-altered crystal structures, indicate that the stone has been heated.
- **Gemstone Certificates**: When buying a yellow sapphire, reputable sellers often provide a certificate from a gemological laboratory (e.g., GIA, IGI), indicating whether the gemstone has been treated or is entirely natural.
### 4. **Impact on Value**:
- **Natural vs. Treated**: Naturally-colored, untreated yellow sapphires are rarer and generally more valuable than heat-treated ones.
- **Affordability**: Heat-treated sapphires are more affordable but still desirable due to their enhanced beauty. The treatment is widely accepted in the market as long as it is disclosed.
Heat treatment does not significantly diminish the durability of the sapphire, making treated gems a popular option for those seeking both beauty and affordability.
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