Hi Guys:
I’m here ladies, sorry for the delay. I was busy tying up some loose ends. Today is my last day in the office for three weeks, so brief points follow:
I know this is a personal thing; beryllium or ‘new heat’ is not acceptable! Sorry Meeshoo, we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one. For me and many others in the biz, as long as it is disclosed, ‘new heat’ is totally acceptable. Let’s leave this here, we’ve talked this through before, further discussion is not going to change either of our opinions.
Is it possible for you to let me know which, if any, of the Purple Sapphire pieces have just had the normal heat treatment please? Yesterday (Sunday) I made an assumption based on my experience and the sensible ‘always assume enhancements’ approach. For peace of mind, I called the heaters today (Monday) regarding these Purple Sapphires and they told me that they are
heat only (‘old heat’). However, I will be not changing the listing on our enhancements page. Given the prevalence of ‘new heat’, unintentional trace amounts of beryllium remaining in the ovens can sometimes be present in ‘old heat’ Sapphires. Always assuming beryllium enhancement for Ruby and Sapphire is good advice.
By the way, is ‘new heat’ a new term for beryllium treatment? I haven't heard it before and think that this is very confusing for newbies for the gemstone buying game! ‘New Heat’ is actually a Thai term and is being increasing used colloquially for ease of comprehension. I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to agree to disagree again. What could be simpler for the beginner? ‘Old heat’ = no additives just heat, ‘new heat’ = heat with additives. Before we whip the forum into a blind panic, please remember that beryllium naturally occurs in gemstones like Chyrosberyl and Beryl, and even Sapphires.
I've heard that Mozambique Tourmaline (Paraiba and Cuprian) is also being treated with beryillium now and has just started to hit the world market. Is that correct? If yes, are the PT and Cuprian those Rocks selling also subject to this process? As per our enhancements page, all our Paraiba and Cuprian Tourmaline is just heated using the same method applied to Paraiba Tourmaline since its discovery. I’ve heard of this rumoured and as yet unproven enhancement, and it has nothing to do with the diffusion of beryllium. Again, this rumoured enhancement is unconfirmed and definitely not applied to any Paraiba and Cuprian Tourmaline we sell.
Gavin, can you please confirm that my beloved rainbow moonstone is always natural? Miss Magpie, as per our enhancements page, Rainbow Moonstone is always natural. If you’ve got five minutes, please take the time to read this
http://www.rocksandco.com/library/gemstone-enhancement.asp top to bottom. Enhancements are not a bogey man to be feared!
My Christmas hat is now firmly on, I bid you all farewell until 12th January, 2009.
Seasons Greetings,
Gav