Pink Tourmaline Trepidation

[YourGemologist]

29 Sept 2009

ISG: Pink Tourmaline Trepidation!
The answers are in the photographs, not in the science reports?



Those who have followed this newsletter over the past few years are familiar with the image at left. We worked for over a year trying to convince the industry “authorities” that there was a problem with the Chinese andesine, all to no avail. In fact, we took a mighty beat down from the industry “authorities” because they could provide scientific proof that feldspar could not be diffused. But when we found this specimen, and took this photograph, all of the science reports went out the window, and the industry was forced to accept the fact that the Chinese andesine was being artificially diffused. And not by any advanced scientific test, but because of one photograph. We call it the “red dagger” photograph, because it put the stake in the heart of this Chinese andesine debacle.

Now, after many scientific reports explaining why tourmaline cannot be diffused, here comes yet another photograph of pink tourmaline. We will call this the “pink dagger” because in our opinion this photograph proves that pink tourmalines are, in fact, being diffusion treated. And we are not going to mince words again with the scientific “authority” community over terms like diffusion, infusion, transfusion, subtrafusion, or confusion. Foreign “crud” is being forced into tourmaline crystals. That is scientific enough for us and the ISG community. We will start with just a few images of some new study specimens here at the ISG.


The two very important differences about ISG gem treatment research and all of the others is the (1). We buy our specimens from the open market spending tens of thousands of dollars, and from many sources. The others get dealer friends to donate their study specimens thereby tainting their study since the dealers control the study specimens. (2). we obtain hundreds and even thousands of specimens for our study. The others acquire perhaps 20 or 30 and from the same dealer(s). So our study is a far encompassing blind study while the others you read about are not.

This has allowed us to see far deeper into the gemstone industry, and view the gemstones on the market in a far more accurate research method since no one knows we are going to test their stones when we purchase them. This has resulted in some profound specimens being obtained by the ISG that no other gemological lab can claim.

Which brings us to this report. Above you have seen just a few of the latest research specimens we have obtained from dealers in Thailand. All share that one feature, but few others. These 30+ new specimens have brought our study group to well over 1000+ tourmaline study specimens. And finally, after hours upon hours of microscope time, we found it. The "Pink Dagger". Here is what we found.



At left you see one of the rough tourmaline specimens that we obtained from Thailand . It is seen here in our now infamous Dixie cup immersion cell using normal tap water. The pink color is pronounced at the right end with the other end appearing somewhat yellowish. Nothing spectacular about this stone at this point. But when we turned it over the true condition of this stone became obvious.



Below you see the reverse side of this tourmaline crystal. A large section has been cleaved off exposing the interior of the stone and its features. As you can see, the stone is not pink at all but rather a dull yellow to colorless. The pink color is originating from #1 the pink "crud" that is baked onto the surface of the stone and #2 the grossly enlarged growth tubes that are filled with the pink "crud" material. This is the reason for the pink coloring of this tourmaline, and it appears to be anything other than a natural occurance. But keeping the stone in our immersion cell, we cranked up the magnification with our Meiji Techno and found......the "Pink Dagger!"

Below you see the pink coloring crud that fills the growth tubes throughout this tourmaline crystal. We have seen these before but no quite so pronounced in color and formation. These have all been taken in the immersion cell, so we have included some simply through the Meiji Techno below to confirm what you are seeing here.

Below you see this same tourmaline crystal in air and through the Meiji Techno in 10x to 90x. Below left is under 10x showing the cleaved area of the crystal. The interior growth tubes have been exposed, thereby exposing the pink filler material inside the growth tubes. Below right is at 30x with back lighting to show that this tourmaline is normally almost colorless to dull yellow, and not pink. The dull yellow color is coming from the yellow crud inside the fractures of the stone.

Below is a 60x view further demonstrating the true color of the tourmaline crystal as virtually colorless. The pink crud filler material in the growth tubes is now clearly visible.

And below, under 90x, is the "Pink Dagger(s)" in this stone. In this magnification it is easy to see that these engorged growth tubes are full of a plastic like filler material with shiney surface and pronounced pink color, which is the cause of the pink color in this pink tourmaline crystal.

We believe that there are unknown numbers of treaters and treatments being done in Thailand , and this is only one of them. We don’t know who or how, but we do know the results and have many other specimens to back up this report. There are two issues that we hope someone will pass along to the Thai gemstone industry…..

#1. Gemstone treatments are good, as long as they are disclosed. Selling this treated material without disclosure is downright wrong and one of the main reasons why the Thai gem markets are faltering. Nobody trusts you anymore.

#2. There is a solution. The ISG is willing to provide scholarship training to any Thai tourmaline treater who is willing to properly disclose your treatments and properly sell your product. We will even help you create a Brand Name for your product and assist you with marketing to the world wide gemstone markets.

But the first step is proper disclosure. The ISG would be thrilled to spend our time and money on scholarships for Thai dealers rather than continue to spend it on exposing your treatments. Why not start selling your products for the excellent values they are, and stop trying to sneak them into the market and cause us all the loss of confidence in the Thai gem markets.

There are alternatives. We know the Thai gemstone markets are hanging on by a thread. Why not work with us to grow markets for your treated gemstones, rather than continue with this deception that is going to eventually put you all out of business?

Just some thoughts for the Thai dealers. But as far as these pink tourmalines are concerned, no more Pink Tourmaline Trepidation here. We have found the “Pink Dagger".

Robert James FGA, GG
President, International School of Gemology

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©2009 International School of Gemology . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Unless otherwise stated, all images are taken using the ISG Student Reference Collection of gemstones in the ISG office. We do urge and support sharing of this information in its entirety, with copyright notices intact, to others who are interested in the study of gemology. Jeweler’s Associations are welcome to distribute to your members.


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All links to photos appear to be broken

[YourGemologist]

We cannot explain why this has happened as the images are still in the URL files. But this report information is on the Gemstone Treatment Report.

We have migrated everything there to be the central clearing house for info.

Robert

[VP2006]

FYI ALL: The reports link back to these originals and all of them are working right except this particular one. Hope you can figure where they are and get them back on line RJ.

It is great to have them all in one central location!!!!

Also I've been meaning to say to ALL that the "entire" Gemstone Treatment Report is something that everyone shopuld seriously consider gaining access to. The information contained within the secure parts of the site is priceless and a real deal at three times the cost. A study resource that no serious gemologist should be without, imo.

Thanks for taking the time to create it and making it available Robert!



Kudos
VP