Post subject: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:52 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 5:08 am Posts: 481 Location: Kuala Lumpur
Still working on my project and trying to figure out what is treated outside corundum? do they treat any other stones here? and do they do anything else other than burn (obviously including, filling, diffusion etc) - irradiation? oiling?
Hoping to visit chantaburi next weekend to see for myself!
Thanks for any leads!
_________________ Intensive jewellery making classes in the heart of South East Asia www.lucywalkerjewellery.com
Post subject: Re: Do thais burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:15 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 5:08 am Posts: 481 Location: Kuala Lumpur
Thanks Jean-Michel
I have contacted Ted and quite a few others. So hoping to get some good info.
Im reading through stuff like a geek but just not coming across the answers I need. I want to know what they are treating here other than ruby and sapphire and how - so then I can do more specific research and decide what I want to see when I visit chantaburi
Im sure they can treat anything but I want to know what they generally treat commercially, and if they can do anything else but burning - e.g. irradiation
I don't know if people just don't know whats being treated here, or if it is just ruby and sapphire, but Im finding it so hard to get an answer to this question
Thanks again! Lucy
_________________ Intensive jewellery making classes in the heart of South East Asia www.lucywalkerjewellery.com
Post subject: Re: Do thais burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:23 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 5:08 am Posts: 481 Location: Kuala Lumpur
Thanks Alberto! I don't want to know the details, just if they are treating anything other than corundum
I think Im changing my project anyway to a brief overview of the thai gem industry! I have another assignment to write on jewellery so I just have to get this done with, spending way to much time reading the same stuff over and over :/ Oh well, I tried
_________________ Intensive jewellery making classes in the heart of South East Asia www.lucywalkerjewellery.com
Post subject: Re: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:16 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:12 am Posts: 484 Location: Chiang Rai Thailand
Hi Lucy, Ted is the man to talk to, of course. Corundum takes the abuse better than any other so it is the most commonly heated. Often other rough comes into Chan untreated and these guys will take care of it. Zircons are often heated, Spessartite sometimes, Spinel sometimes, Tanzanite sometimes, Aquamarine often, and others. I have never heard that radiation treatment is done here though. Gonna be in Bangkok this coming week and then Chan this coming weekend, maybe see ya, Lee
Post subject: Re: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:35 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Yes, Lucy everything which can be treated IS being treated.
As Lee pointed out, most of the treatment facilities in Thailand are equipped to heat, diffuse and fill, not irradiate.
But without very specific details, which as Alberto said you will most likely not get, it would not make for a very interesting report.
I find the most scientifically accurate treatment information is researched and published by Dr. John Emmett, Crystal Chemistry. As I've said before, that is the direction I would go if I were doing a report on the current state of treatments.
Post subject: Re: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:41 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:44 am Posts: 525 Location: PAKISTAN-Peshawar
In Thailand every type of treatment of gemstone can be done.
For successful trip and want to complete your project successfully, first you visit GIA, AIGS or other gemological institutes or gems testing labs which are in Bangkok, Thailand. Meet GIA or AIGS teachers or gemologist and discuss your matter with them. They will help you regarding the treatment center locations and address. because it is not necessary that all the treatment centers will located in chantaburi.
some links about the radiation treatment of gemstone in Thailand
Post subject: Re: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 10:19 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:12 am Posts: 484 Location: Chiang Rai Thailand
Well, it figures that they would do something like that in Bangkok as that place does not seem like Thailand to me. People say that you can get anything in Bangkok and it seems more true all the time. I understand that there are two ways to irradiate gemstones and correct me if I am wrong but this new facility uses the type that is potentially much more dangerous to the consumer. So I wonder then how much testing is done on these gems to be sure they are safe when distributed into the market. Some Americans think that they are protected by laws but with certainty those US laws have little to no effect on small transactions in foreign countries that include small dealers carrying in or shipping in undisclosed parcels that will never be inspected by any US official with a Geiger counter. Hmmmm.
Post subject: Re: Do they burn anything else other than corundum?
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:41 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 5:08 am Posts: 481 Location: Kuala Lumpur
Thanks so much guys, I also had some great feedback from Dick Hughes so I'm a happy camper. TBH Barbara, I don't expect a report thats going to blow anyones mind, just a merit or distinction for my gem-a would be great!
I met with vincent a few weeks back unfortunately he's off on his travels again! otherwise I would have love to pick his brain some more! but I think I'm on it now
Cheers from rainy thailand! Lucy
_________________ Intensive jewellery making classes in the heart of South East Asia www.lucywalkerjewellery.com
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