jadeite treatments

[Richard]

Do most,or all, gem labs use infrared spectroscopy on jadeite these days? I assume AGL does this? Thanks.

[Richard]

I'll should take that as a "No"?

[Barbra Voltaire, FGG]

I think you'd have to specify the lab.
Any lab that has the ability to do the test would be prudent to do it.

[Richard]

Sorry, I am interested specifically in AGL reports. A client has one and it doesn't specify which tests were performed on her jadeite; just "no gemological evidence of treatment". I would not classify IR spectroscopy as "classical" gemology, although today it shoud be done on all Jadeite. I don't want top send it to Mason Kay unless I have to.

[Christopher P. Smith]

Hello Richard,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you on this. I have been traveling abroad and only returned home last night. As you know, for treatments of jadeite, we are primarily concerned with coloration or impregnation. Color may be applied or induced utilizing organic dyes or undesirable colors may be removed via bleaching. Surface luster is commonly improved via a light surface application of wax. Or jades may be more fully impregnated using either waxes or polymers. Commonly the impregnation with a polymer follows a process of bleaching.

Any of these can be used singly or in combination. I won't go into all of the details however at AGL our policy is to examine all jades using microscopy, UV-Visible-Near infrared spectroscopy and mid-infrared spectroscopy. These are the routine/standard gemological techniques that we apply, in addition to other standard instrumentation. If we feel that additional testing is required, in some cases we will also apply chemical analyses, as well as Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

When we find no evidence of a treatment in jadeite: such as color modification or impregnation, etc. we make the statement for Standard Enhancement: Natural Color and Additional Enhancement: None, with an additional statement under the comments section that indicates: No gemological evidence of impregnation present.

In the past there has been some variation on the specific wordings. I don't know the date of the piece you mention, but these are the current statements.

Does this help to clarify our policy? If not, please feel free to contact me directly and we can discuss this further.

Best regards,
Christopher P. Smith

[Richard]

Thank you Mr. Smith,
I appriciete your taking the time to answer my question. Sounds like you are doing a very a diligent job. I feel better about the piece I am working on, and am glad I don't need to ship it off.
Thank you again, Richard.

[Christopher P. Smith]

My pleasure. Anytime you can feel free to contact me. If I don't respond in a short time, it likely means that I am away from the office, but I will always try to answer any questions fully.

Best regards,
Christopher P. Smith