Irradiation
Some gemstones may be artificially irradiated to change their colour appearance. The process involves neutron or electron bombardment, or the use the radioactive isotope Cobalt 60 that will affect the atomic structure of the gemstone’s crystal lattice and dramatically alter the colour of the stone.
Topaz, Tourmaline, Beryl, diamond and others are routinely treated in such a manner. The irradiation may also be accompanied by a subsequent heat treatment and is, in most cases very challenging to detect from a gemological point of view. Please note that fade tests are normally not conducted by the Laboratory.
When such a treatment is detected in a gemstone, it will be disclosed under the Identification section of the Report as Irradiated, with additional details of the treatment addressed in a footnote.