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#1
23-11-2009, 12:14
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Blue Tourmaline Diffusion
 19 November 2009 Here is why there are so many "Paraiba-like" tourmalines suddenly on the market! STOP! Take a good look at the banner photograph above. See those blue filled growth tubes? Now look at the banner sized photograph below. These two microphotographs could stand alone to make the case of what we are calling the dyefusion of “Paraiba-like” tourmalines that are suddenly so prevalent on the market….and at increasingly cheaper prices. But there is so much more to see that we won’t stop there…..not until we can fully show you what we have found about the Blue Tourmaline Dyefusion!  What’s in a name? Due to the proclivity of some scientists to totally disregard a new finding simply because they don’t like the name it is being called, we have made up our own name so that no one can reject these findings over who got to name it. It’s called “dyefusion”. Which means we have no idea of exactly what is being done, only that something is indeed being done to artificially color these tourmalines that falls somewhere between dyeing and diffusion…..everyone can take their own guess, and quite honestly everyone can name this whatever works for you. For us….its dyefusion.   The ProcessDuring the course of our andesine investigations we started receiving reports that someone was doing something funky to tourmalines, particularly these new “Paraiba-like” tourmalines that suddenly showed up on the market a couple of years ago. So we started collecting tourmalines from the open market. While some of the major labs did studies using only 20 or 30 tourmaline specimens from one or two select dealers, the ISG has collected thousands of specimens from over 50 different dealers world wide. Above left you see one of the first specimens we found that spelled T-R-O-U-B-L-E! We actually found many tourmalines, mainly from Thai and Chinese dealers, which showed this artificial coloring attempt. Recently, however, we found the end product, and by using the same method that we used to uncover the diffused andesine…..buying massive numbers of study specimens and inspecting each and every one for anomalies. Here is what we found…..  We had to narrow the images down to two specimens, otherwise you would have to take the afternoon off to see all that we have collected. And rather than take up time with a lot of explanations we will simply let these images speak for themselves. The first is at right. A 3.50ct "Paraiba-like" tourmaline from Thailand.We have been aware that most of the tourmalines used in this treatment are naturally light lavender in color in their original state. The blue color is imparted after a two phase treatment, much like the diffusion of andesine. The stone is first treated to open up channels and then treated with an artificial color element to create the color we see. But just as with the andesine it is the mistakes, the specimens that should have been thrown into someone’s garden rather than sold on eBay, which gave this away. For in the course of inspecting literally thousands of specimens we found the one you see below that shows the blue coloring element that just did not treat properly, did not permeate into the stone evenly that gave away the presence of the treatment. Please be aware that the blue colored blobs are inside the stone, not on the surface.    The Smoking Gun  The question of dyefusion came to a very abrupt end when we received the specimen you see at left. This 2.50ct shield cut blue “Paraiba-like” tourmaline was purchased through a dealer in Canada and provided us with the "smoking gun" regarding the dyefusion of blue tourmaline. As with previous treated tourmalines we found the “C” axis to have been cut perpendicular to the table and not parallel as one would expect. But more important is that the growth tubes ranged from very tiny to extremely enlarged, far beyond anything natural. And more important….they are filled with blue coloring material.    Viewed straight down the "C" axis we could see color holes where the coloring elements did not penetrate the channels due to the channels being closed off during treatment.   This condition was prevalent throughout the stone. We even found large areas of no color when viewed in high magnification straight down the "C" axis. The features you see below are not holes in the stone, but rather holes in the coloring of the stone.   And finally, at left and below you can see the blue artificial color elements filling the tubes and creating the artificial color in this "Paraiba-like" tourmaline. Clear evidence that someone is artificially creating this material, and that there is a very good reason why the market has enjoyed such a sudden influx of large "Paraiba-like" blue tourmalines that are both plentiful and cheap. Below you see the final image in large size. If you are not able to see these images please use the link to the ISG Forums Board sectin below.  Final Thoughts: It is clear that the only true Paraiba Tourmaline must come from the region around Paraiba , Brazil . Creating fake “Paraiba-like” tourmalines by artificially treatments is no replacement for the real thing. More important is the extreme damage done to the market by the members of the Lab Manual Harmonization Committee by their unilateral and unjustified decision that all tourmalines with a trace of copper and the right color can be called “ Paraiba ”. Now there is clear evidence that the LMHC opened Pandora’s Box without proper research on this issue and has done great damage to the true Paraiba Tourmaline markets. We publically call on the members of the Lab Manual Harmonization Committee to rescind the LMHC Information Sheet #6 that was issued without proper investigation into this situation. We call on the LMHC to do the right thing for the industry and take steps to rectify the damage being done to the industry. It is clear that some sort of dyefusion is being done to these tourmalines in Thailand and elsewhere. It is time to stop allowing this material to be sold under a name that has for decades stood for the very rare and beautiful Paraiba Tourmaline. There is no such thing as a “Paraiba-like” tourmaline. It’s either a true Paraiba Tourmaline, or it’s most likely a dyefusion treated tourmaline. Robert James FGA, GG President, International School of Gemology Introducing the..... Gemstone Treatment Report The ISG is pleased to announce the establishment of a central clearinghouse of information for the identification of gemstone treatments, and the identification of synthetic gemstones through our new GemstoneTreatmentReport.com website. This site has been designed as a resource for consumers, jewelers, dealers and gemologists to find quality information to assist in the identification of treated and synthetic gemstones. Proceeds of the $125.00 per year membership fee will go toward more research and reporting of the latest findings of gem treatments and synthesis. Please use the link below to visit the Gemstone Treatment Report website, and join us to support our efforts to protect the future of this industry through proper research and reporting of lab created and treated gemstones. Please support this effort to support our industry. ©2009 International School of Gemology . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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. </SPAN>   Support the Jewelers Ethics Association to help support ethics in the gemstone industry. Join the JEA.  Visit the ISG Website Contact the ISG 
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#2
23-11-2009, 14:40
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Thank you Robert James!
Thank you Robert...this is absolutely great!!!
 I'm almost speechless...thank you from the bottom of a lot of hearts. Rosemary ISG RG So proud to be associated with this fantastic school. Yesssss! 
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#3
23-11-2009, 15:32
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Wow, amazing report! We're so fortunate to have access to such information.
__________________
-Ryan. NEVER apologize about being Nit-picky; It means Quality.
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#4
23-11-2009, 17:00
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Gemstone Treatment Report.
Quote:
 Rosemary
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#5
23-11-2009, 18:01
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Out of the ballpark!
You hit another home run RJ! Fantastic pics that leave no doubt, and dyefusion is the perfect descriptive for these impostors!!!
Indeed, you have become the Sherlock Holmes of the industry. 
__________________
Crystal Star Due to recent increases in electrical rates, the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off.  Proud to be an ISG RG
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#6
19-02-2010, 07:49
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Robert, was I just dreaming this, or did I actually hear something about the doing-away-with of the designation of paraiba for all copper-bearing blue or green tourmalines, no matter their origin?
__________________
................ Website: Gemstone News & Local Color from Teófilo Otoni. Messages welcome, e-mail: gringagems@gmail.com Jewelers Ethics Association, Search 4 Gems
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#7
19-02-2010, 10:13
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I don't know about that, I have not heard it. It would be a very important development if its true. The LMHC really shot themselves, and the whole industry, in the foot when they made that blunder.
Robert
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