Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Apatite occurs naturally in several fabulous colors, without undergoing any treatments. The GIA, in their Gem Reference Guide, lists: NO COMMERCIAL TREATMENTS KNOWN:
Recently, I have noticed several companies Like "Jewelry TV" and the "Home Shopping Network" indicating that their apatite has been heat treated.
As far back as the Summer of 1990, it was reported that untreated apatite found in Madagascar had a strong resemblence to Paraiba tourmaline. (G&G 1991 & G&G 1993) It was also reproted that it was not extensively cut because it was extremely sensitive to thermal shock. The heat from the cutting wheels often caused it to shatter!
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am Posts: 4997 Location: McDonough GA
Thanks Barbra.
The reason I asked is because I was checking out the Apatite at AJS gems and nearly all of their stock is noted as having been heated. I had not heard of this treatment being applied to Apatite before.
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