Hamid Bros Gem MerchantsSuite 1202, 227 Collins Street Melbourne Australia

ph: +61 3 9654 1550 fax: +61 3 9654 0631email: hamid@hamidbros.com.au

May 2014

The birthstone for May is Emerald, we have a great range of Zambian material from small calibrated sizes to large individual stones. Pink and blue Spinel are a durable and less expensive alternative to Sapphire and red Spinel is a good option for Ruby. We have had many enquiries for Padparadscha (Sinhalese for lotus flower) Sapphire which is the very rare pink-orange colour. The apricot and peach colours are also popular at the moment.

Traditional Heat TreatmentHeating is a traditional and accepted process that has been recognised within the gem industry for over 40 years. Various gemstones including corundum, quartz and beryl may undergo some form of heating at a range of temperatures to produce different results. Sapphires and Rubies are heated to temperatures ranging from 1100 to 1600°C to improve clarity and / or colour and overall appearance. Sapphires and Rubies, which are found close to thermal venting in the earth, undergo a natural heating process. Heating Sapphires and Rubies that are not found in these locations is imitating the natural process. No radiation, chemicals or health risks are involved in this traditional practice. Heating is common with the vast majority of natural Sapphires and Rubies available today. Without this treatment there would be a very limited supply of attractive gems available and prices would be extremely high.

Treatments that must be Disclosed

There are many types of coloured gemstone treatments which are not acceptable without disclosure and must be priced accordingly.

• Beryllium Treatment: beryllium can be introduced into the crystal lattice, vastly improving and or changing the colour.

• Glass Surface and Fracture Filled: poor quality gems have their transparency, clarity and often colour improved by filling fractures and pits with lead glass. This is not a permanent or stable treatment, it can be easily damaged in a Jewellers workshop revealing an unattractive poor quality gem. This process is most commonly seen in Ruby.

• Diffusion Coating: a thin surface layer of synthetic sapphire is baked onto the surface of poor quality sapphire to improve the colour and sometimes create a star. These gems are not durable as the coating can wear or be polished off.

• Surface Dyes: the body colour of crazed and porous gems can be improved by dyeing, this process is often used in poor quality star Ruby.

• Coated: gems are coated by a sputtering method similar to spray painting, it is not permanent and wears off easily. Topaz is commonly coated to produce colours that are not available naturally.

Blue Sapphire7.3 x 7.2 mm

2.07 ct

Emerald7 x 5mm0.62ct

Yellow Sapphire8.1 x 6.4 mm

2.05 ct

UnheatedPadparadscha

Sapphire7.9 x 5.9 mm1.43 carats

Mozambique Ruby8 x 6.3 mm

2.03 ct

Tsavorite Garnet7.9 x 5.7 mm

1.20 ct

Teal Tourmaline9.5 x 7.3mm

1.95 ct

Purple Sapphire6.9 x 5 mm

1.01 ct

Emerald6.9 x 5 mm

1.01 ctBlue Spinel

9.5 x 7.3 mm2.61 ct

Green Tourmaline9.3 x 8.2 mm

2.79 ct

Pink Tourmaline12.9 x 9.4 mm

5.31 ct

Padparadscha Sapphire

6 x 5.2 mm0.66 ct

Orange Sapphire6.2 x 5.3 mm

1.06 ct

Emerald11.8 x 8.5mm

3.88ct

Teal Tourmaline9 x 7.7 mm

3.03 ct

Tanzanite11.6 x 8.4mm

5.57 ct

Ametrine17.8 x 10 mm

10.91 ct

Pink Sapphire8.8 x 6.1mm

2.10 ct

Malaia Garnet8.2 x 7.5 mm

2.92 ct

Blue Sapphire7.2 mm2.47 ct

Spessartite Garnet8.5 mm3.60 ct